MPS HS Program of Studies 2023-2024 - School-Based Programs

These Additional school-based programs listed below allow students additional ways to engage, explore and learn outside a regular classroom course setting. The primary purpose of summer school is to provide students with the opportunity to make up courses that were not successfully completed during the regular school year. The Academy is the alternative education program for the Milford Public Schools.

CERTO Program

CERTO (Community Educational Resources Training Opportunity) is a secondary educational program designed to help students develop intellectual curiosity, interest and maturity through a personal exploration of in-school and community educational opportunities. Participation in CERTO is by invitation only. To be in CERTO, a student must carry at least 6.5 additional credits. Registration for CERTO takes place during the school year and follows the guidelines of the school.

Please Note: Credit and grades earned in CERTO, Community Service, Independent Study, and Work-Study do not factor into GPA or class rank calculations.

Community Service

This program encourages students to develop social responsibility and enriches their academic studies with the significant learning that community service offers. Credit is given for pre-authorized community service work (.3 credit for 30 hours or .5 credit for 50 hours). Students must receive administrative approval prior to engaging in a community service project for credit.

Please Note: Credit and grades earned in CERTO, Community Service, Independent Study, and Work-Study do not factor into GPA or class rank calculations.

Independent Study

Independent Study is for students who are capable of initiating and carrying out learning projects on their own, with the advice and assistance of a teacher. Registration for Independent Study takes place during the first two weeks of the school year. Additional information and applications are available in the School Counseling Office.

Please Note: Credit and grades earned in CERTO, Community Service, Independent Study, and Work-Study do not factor into GPA or class rank calculations.

Work-Study

The work-study program is designed to provide meaningful work experience for those students who may have difficulty pursuing a strictly academic program. A student must carry at least 6.5 credits in addition to work-study.

Please Note: Credit and grades earned in CERTO, Community Service, Independent Study, and Work-Study do not factor into GPA or class rank calculations.

Summer School

The primary purpose of summer school is to provide students with the opportunity to make up courses that were not successfully completed during the regular school year. Students may also take summer school courses for enrichment but do not receive any credits for these enrichment courses.

One credit courses are in session for 3 hours a day for 20 days. Half credit courses are in session for 3 hours a day for 10 days. Normally, courses will only be offered if there is adequate enrollment. Only high school Senior English and Senior Math courses will be offered regardless of enrollment in these courses. A fee is charged for all summer school courses.

The maximum number of credits a student may acquire through a summer school credit recovery program during his or her high school career is 4.0.

Permission of the student’s school principal must be obtained before a student may take an advanced course for credit outside the Milford Public School district or take a summer school course in another school district. Grades for these courses will be noted on the student’s transcript, but the grade will not be included in class ranking.

Summer School Eligibility Requirements

A student can only make up a course during the same school year the course was taken. For a course that was failed during the school year, the student must have attained a final grade of 40 or above and have met the attendance policy. Summer school eligibility will be determined by the school’s principal. Appropriate credit will only be awarded upon successful completion of the summer school course.

Credit enhancement will be awarded and appropriate GPA points will be earned upon successful completion of the summer school credit enhancement program based on the summer school operating procedures.

For students who have a GPA of less than 2.0 for the 4^th marking period: a student must have received a grade of F, D-, D or D+ during the 4^th marking period. Upon successful completion of the summer school course, only the grade points for the 4^th marking period will be awarded, based on summer school operating procedures.

The Academy

The Academy is the alternative education program for the Milford Public Schools. It is a stand-alone facility in Milford housing a student population, as well as, the Post-Grad Transition Academy. The Academy incorporates a beautiful gymnasium, a full-service cafeteria, and a state-of-the-art science lab. Students enjoy the full services of paraprofessionals, an on-site nurse, social worker, and school counseling. The school principal oversees the entire school population. Their mission is to foster independence and guide students to become empowered, compassionate citizens through an individualized and holistic approach in a community of high expectations.

At the Academy, students benefit from a robust collection of projects, programs, and experiential learning. Here are just a few of the ways students are involved:

Kindness Rocks Project: (motivational messages painted on rocks then left in random spots all around town for people to find.)

College and Career Readiness Week: A full week of activities designed to give students a full understanding of all that is available to them in the future.

Experiential Learning: Several students have launched a silk screening business – right in the school! Additional projects include the building of a compost area, a beehive – and others – right on school property. In all instances, students learn how a complete system works and how to implement all facets of operation.

Social/Emotional Focus Groups: Students dive deep into issues such as anxiety, depression and healthy relationships – led by the school’s counselor and social worker.

To apply to The Academy, students should meet with their School Counselor. Applications can be found on our website at www.milforded.org (go to the Our Schools tab, then select The Academy)