Category B:
Curriculum

Findings

Our school is part of the New Tech Network, integrating real-world skills like Agency, Collaboration, Communication, and Knowledge and Thinking into the curriculum through Project Based Learning model. 

Subject areas follow district-established priority standards developed with input from site leaders and teachers.

The ESN program (Alliance) uses the TeachTown curriculum, meeting requirements for the alternative high school diploma under AB 181.

Designated ELD programs align with the EL framework through structured curriculum maps.

All subjects use district-approved textbooks that meet individual subject area standards.

Our school offers a rigorous, research-based curriculum aligned with academic standards. Real-world skills from the New Tech Network, district priority standards, TeachTown for ESN, and EL framework-aligned ELD programs provide relevance, equity, and support for diverse learners, fostering student success. Expanding and enhancing the fidelity of our project-based learning curriculum could further strengthen these efforts.

Findings

Each subject area delivers a curriculum aligned with the New Tech pillars through Project Based Learning, the school’s vision, and the district’s graduate profile, ensuring coherence and relevance.

The English department collaborates annually to identify priority skills, aligning lessons to build essential competencies for student success.

Programs like Comet Academy and Turnaround 180 provide students facing challenges with opportunities to access learning and develop critical skills.

AP courses focus on college readiness, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed for success in higher education and beyond.

The curriculum aligns with New Tech pillars, the graduate profile, and schoolwide goals through Project-Based Learning, fostering coherence and relevance. The English department prioritizes essential skills, while programs like Comet Academy and Turnaround 180 support struggling students. AP courses advance college readiness, ensuring alignment with academic standards and readiness indicators. Strengthening support for diverse learners and Project-Based Learning fidelity could enhance outcomes.

Findings

Students are enrolled in six courses that meet A-G requirements, ensuring college and career readiness.

ESN (Alliance) students take courses fulfilling graduation requirements and A-G compliant electives.

Inclusion classes in Math and English, along with push-in support for Science, provide IEP students access to A-G courses with accommodations.

All courses align with the district’s graduate profile and the school’s New Tech-aligned pillars and vision.

SVCTE courses offer 11th and 12th graders career-technical electives.

Credit recovery options include retaking courses, "Genres of Composition" for English credits, or EdGenuity courses that meet A-G requirements.

Our school ensures college and career readiness by aligning all courses with A-G requirements and the district’s graduate profile. ESN students meet graduation and A-G standards, while inclusion classes and push-in support ensure IEP students access equitable opportunities. SVCTE provides career pathways, and credit recovery options like EdGenuity keep students on track. Expanding career-technical programs and support for struggling learners could further enhance readiness.

Findings

All courses align with Priority Standards, providing a framework for planning student learning.

9th-grade co-taught courses, such as Math-PE and Bio-Lit, support interdisciplinary learning.

Cross-curricular projects, like those in AP Psychology-Physiology and ELD-Biology, expose students to integrated learning and college-career readiness skills.

Departments collaborate to identify key skills and ensure vertical alignment, preparing students progressively for each grade level.

Our school effectively integrates areas of study, academic standards, and college and career readiness indicators through alignment with Priority Standards. Interdisciplinary 9th-grade courses, such as Math-PE and Bio-Lit, and cross-curricular projects in AP Psychology-Physiology and ELD-Biology foster connections between subjects while building essential skills. Departmental collaboration ensures vertical alignment, progressively preparing students for higher grade levels and post-secondary success. Expanding interdisciplinary opportunities could further enhance student engagement and readiness.

Findings

Our district's partnership with San Jose State University through the Spartan East Side Promise guarantees admission for students who earn a 2.75 GPA and meet A-G requirements, offering a clear pathway to higher education.

Through our partnership with Stanford University, the FAST program provides students with STEM learning opportunities and real-world applications to enhance their academic and career readiness.

The Silicon Valley Career Technical Education (SVCTE) program allows 11th and 12th graders to gain career technical skills, with some courses offering certifications that enable students to enter trades jobs directly after high school.

To prepare students for high school, we conduct middle school visits with feeder and neighboring schools, while our Comet Summer Academy equips incoming freshmen with essential skills for success in math, English, and high school life. This program is supported by partnerships with SVUDL and SVEF Elevate Math, which provide curriculum and teacher training, and collaboration with middle schools ensures proper placement and support for incoming 9th graders.

For students who struggle at a comprehensive school site, partnerships with organizations like Grizzly Youth Academy, San Jose Conservation Corps, and district SBN (Small But Necessary) schools provide alternative pathways to a high school diploma tailored to their unique needs.

Our school engages with community partners and feeder schools to support student success. Programs like Spartan East Side Promise with SJSU and FAST with Stanford provide higher education pathways, while SVCTE offers career technical skills and certifications. Middle school outreach and the Comet Summer Academy prepare freshmen for high school, and partnerships with Grizzly Youth Academy and others offer alternative diploma pathways. Expanding follow-up studies could strengthen long-term impact.

Findings

Our master schedule is designed based on student needs and preferences, with the scheduling process beginning in late winter or early spring for the following school year.

Counselors support students in course selection through presentations, one-on-one meetings, and events like elective and AP fairs.

A range of academic opportunities is available through AP courses, the SVCTE partnership, and the Comet Academy Program, ensuring access for students at varied academic levels.

Events like Career Wednesdays, Higher Ed Day, and Comet Con provide students with repeated opportunities to explore future career paths and post-secondary education options.

Our school ensures equity and access by offering a variety of programs and pathways to support all students in pursuing college, career, and technical options. The master schedule is designed around student needs and preferences, with counselors providing guidance through presentations, one-on-one meetings, and AP and elective fairs. Academic opportunities such as AP courses, SVCTE partnerships, and the Comet Academy Program provide access at all academic levels. Career exploration and preparation are reinforced through events like Career Wednesdays, Higher Ed Day, and Comet Con, ensuring all students have multiple opportunities to plan for their futures. Expanding outreach to underserved populations could further enhance equitable access to these resources.

Findings

Our school provides broad access to Advanced Placement (AP) courses, with a significant percentage of students enrolled in at least one or multiple AP classes. These courses offer college-level rigor, fostering academic challenge and personal growth, regardless of AP exam outcomes. 

Inclusion classes further support equitable access by enabling students with disabilities to engage alongside their peers in a collaborative learning environment. 

The school funds diverse field trips across departments, connecting classroom learning to real-world experiences and helping students deepen their understanding and appreciation of academic content. 

Programs like SVCTE and the FAST Program provide career and college preparatory curricula, reinforcing the relevance of education and improving student retention.

Our school provides a rigorous, inclusive curriculum that reflects student diversity. Broad access to AP courses fosters academic growth, while inclusion classes ensure equitable learning for students with disabilities. Real-world connections are emphasized through field trips, SVCTE programs, and the FAST Program, preparing students for college and careers. Expanding access to these opportunities can further support underserved students.

Findings

Twice a year, we host Parent Teacher Conference Nights, our most attended events, where parents receive report cards and have 5-minute 1-on-1 conferences with teachers to discuss their student’s progress and connect with supportive resources.

Parent Night for Diverse Learners, held three times a year, allows parents of students with IEPs to meet with case managers to address topics beyond annual or tri-annual IEP meetings.

IEP, 504, and SST meetings always include parents, the student (if possible), and the teacher of record to ensure comprehensive discussion of the student’s learning plan.

Every six weeks, parents and students receive report cards, offering regular opportunities to monitor progress before semester grades.

Twice a year, teachers conduct D/F call campaigns to reach out to parents of students struggling academically, inviting them to Parent Conference Nights to collaborate on strategies for success

Our school fosters collaboration and belonging through Parent Teacher Conference Nights, Diverse Learner Nights, and D/F call campaigns, enabling parents to engage with teachers and resources. Regular report cards and collaborative meetings like IEPs and SSTs ensure learning plans and goals are monitored. Expanding outreach could further enhance inclusivity and support.