The NH Department of Education supports and encourages local school districts to adopt policies that encourage 'extended learning'. Extended learning means: the primary acquisition of knowledge and skills through instruction or study outside of the traditional classroom.

The Extended Learning Opportunities program in Rochester was created to help students get their start in real world business environments while also providing businesses with a qualified and mature work force. Our hope is to bring students and businesses together in a mutually beneficial partnership so that the students get the real-world experience and the businesses have better prepared interns and workers coming from a high school environment.

Leveraging the power of community partnerships, Extended Learning Opportunities (ELOs) will engage, educate and empower students (future employees) to make informed career choices. We will ensure both business partners and students alike have access to the right experiences, in the right place, at the right time, executed by the right advisors.

This creates a win/win for our communities. To be prepared as the NH DOE states, “College and career ready means that students graduate from high school prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary opportunities—whether college or career—without need for remediation.”

A summary of key strategic advantages include but are not limited to:

• Building positive relationships through community partnerships

• Educating the future workforce in a real world setting

• Provides greater flexibility to customize and contribute to student learning

Spaulding High School and the R.W. Creteau Technology Center are proud to offer the following ELOs for students:

Independent Study is designed for students that are interested in taking a course that is not currently offered or is beyond our traditional curriculum. Each Independent Study ELO includes Work-Study Practices competencies that have been created by the New Hampshire Department of Education. In addition students will work on competencies as outlined by their faculty advisor that relate to the core content that will be studied through this Independent Study ELO.

Teacher Assistant is an opportunity for a new kind of learning to take place for a student that has successfully completed the course. In this role students will provide support to classroom teachers. Each Teacher Assistant ELO includes Work-Study Practices and Education and Training competencies that have been created by the New Hampshire Department of Education. This option is only available to juniors and seniors.

Career Internship is a temporary, unpaid position where a student is paired with a professional in the community. Each internship includes Work-Study Practices competencies that have been created by the New Hampshire Department of Education. In addition students will work on core competencies as outlined by their faculty advisor.

Work-Based Learning is a unique internship for a student enrolled in a Career and Technical Education Program. These are paid positions that can extend beyond the original terms of employment. The New Hampshire Department of Education supports Work-Based Learning as it offers students knowledge and skills through instruction, in a real-world employment environment, to deepen their learning and explore career fields in an authentic setting.

All students enrolled in an ELO will be expected to present on the Four ELO Components: Research, Reflection, Product and Presentation.