What is  the Academic Design Program?

The Academic Design Program (ADP) is a standards-based, integrated approach to learning. Using the Design-Based Learning methodology, Social Science, English*, and sometimes math are brought together as the students work through real-world problems in search of real-world solutions. Students will see the application of math, experience the history, and enhance reading, writing and communication skills to work towards developing 21st Century thinking proficiency.

*ADP students take English and history during the school year for grades 10-12

Program Benefits

• Meets A-G requirements (i.e., college or university prep)
• Students in ADP maintain eligibility for athletics and co-curricular activities, some other pathways including CTE and CISCO Networking Academy and share common lunch with the entire student body
• Emphasis on hands-on activities, real-world problem-solving, interaction, and communication
• A dedicated core of academic teachers for English and Social Studies; curriculum is set by the state and common core standards for all subjects
• Small learning community--class sizes smaller than average
• ADP classes are scheduled for up to three periods a day, allowing students to participate in a full selection of electives and other activities for the remainder of the school day
• Chromebooks, desktop computers, and iPads using word processing, design, photo, movie, music
• Three or two-year program participation options
• Opportunity for involvement through ADP Council and classroom leadership

The Academic Design Program emphasizes the 5 C's of Common Core:

• Creativity: students design original solutions to multidimensional problems; they build 3-dimensional objects and structures
• Collaboration: students work in teams, sharing ideas and drawing conclusions from the interactions; work-based learning experiences are built in to Challenges through the year
• Critical Thinking: all solutions to problems must be "never before seen" and apply the concepts of core academic subjects
• Communication: students have informal class discussions and reflections of the curriculum verbally and/or in writing; they present solutions live, in class or via other multi-media resources
• Citizenship: students are in work groups throughout the year and have rights, privileges and responsibilities within those groups as well as across the program

The ADP Team:

• Mr. Cornell -- History [email protected]
• Ms. Borihane -- English [email protected]
• Ms. Everts -- English [email protected]
• Ms. Takahashi -- History [email protected]
• Ms. Hoyos -- Counselor [email protected]