Personalized Learning

.5 credit                   Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: none

Graduation Requirement Area: additional credits only

Students are eligible to earn credit for community service they have completed (.5 credit for 60 hours). Credit may only be earned for community service conducted while enrolled as a Staples student and outside of the school day, starting with the summer between grades 8 and 9. Students may earn no more than .5 credit for community service. Community service does not count toward the number of courses a student is required to take each semester in order to be considered fully enrolled. Students receive a grade of Pass for community service, which is not calculated in the grade point average. Students must complete the Community Service Credit Form describing their service experience and provide a signed letter from their supervisor that verifies the activity and number of hours completed.

.5 credit                    Grades 10, 11, 12                  S1, S2

Prerequisite: Application and approval by school counselor and Personalized Learning Teacher; other prerequisites vary by course as determined by program

Graduation Requirement Area: additional credits only

Westport Public Schools contracts with the Edmentum learning platform to deliver online elective courses to students with the independence, motivation, and interest in a particular topic to succeed. Edmentum provides the appropriate content and level of critical thinking expected of students, along with the flexibility to customize courses to the expectations Staples holds in high regard. As the board-sanctioned provider of online educational services, the cost of approved Edmentum coursework will be covered by the school system. The student must be in good standing in terms of academics, behavior, and attendance and demonstrate fit for the rigorous, independent demands of an online learning environment. The student must complete, and will be held to, a contract outlining specific course standards and expectations. Only approved courses where there is no equivalent Staples course can be selected.

For additional information, please visit the Edmentum Online Learning Electives page.

*Note: Staples Edmentum courses are not approved as NCAA core courses. An Edmentum online course may also be taken for credit recovery due to failure or loss of credit for poor attendance or for supporting progress in a current Staples course, remediating skills and/or content knowledge, or serving as an alternative educational program during a formally-approved extended absence, as determined by the RTI, Section 504, PPT, or administrative team.

.5 credit                    Grades 10, 11, 12              S1, S2

Prerequisite: Application review and approval from Personalized Learning Teacher

Graduation Requirement Area: additional credits only

This is a pathway for students who want to accelerate their learning beyond the classroom setting and exhibit a strong desire to work independently on an enriching project, coursework, or independent study that is not otherwise offered at Staples High School. Students spend a semester working independently to bring that passion project to fruition, with the support of the personalized learning teacher and a faculty mentor. Students showcase and present their work at the conclusion of their studies. A review panel is assembled with content area specialists, the personalized learning teacher, and administrators.

For additional information, please visit the Independent Learning Experiences page.

No credit                  Grades 11, 12                  Full-Year, S1, S2

Prerequisite: Course instructor recommendation and approval from Personalized Learning Teacher

Graduation Requirement Area: none

As a TA, students serve as an apprentice to the teacher outside of the role as a student. A TA experience is intended to foster a student’s growth in a particular content area and help build lifelong skills. Students may only request to be a TA once their schedule has been created for the school year in which they would like to serve in this role. If a student’s schedule aligns with a particular course in which they would like to be a TA, the request should first be made directly to the teacher of this course. This teacher would then agree to be the student’s mentor and would be involved in overseeing the work of the teaching assistant. For more information and access to the plan/contract, students should contact their school counselor or Personalized Learning Teacher, Mrs. Karen Thompson, at kthompson@westportps.org. 

*Note: Serving in a TA position does not appear on the student’s Staples transcript.