WELCOME TO
INNOVATIONS HIGH SCHOOL
A Program of CIRCLE Foundation and a campus of Youth Connection Charter School
Thank you for choosing Innovations High School (IHS) to continue your education. We are pleased and excited to offer you an innovative learning experience, comprehensive services (including individual tutoring, counseling, and job assistance), and increased opportunities for success.
Our School Philosophy
MISSION: We inspire, motivate, and empower life long learning through a competency based, vision forward school community that supports critical thinking and self sufficiency in an ever changing world.
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VISION: Our vision is to become an innovative, scholar-centered community of learners that fosters personal development, thoughtful creative expression, social responsibility, scholastic excellence.
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School Motto - HIGHER STANDARDS!: The staff of Innovations High School is committed to the success of each and every student enrolled in our school. We believe that students have unlimited potential and can rise to meet higher standards through higher expectations. We dedicate ourselves to the preparation of our students to compete and advance in today's ever developing society.
CURRICULUM-CBE Competency Based Education
Innovations High School Competency Based Learning Policy
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Innovations High School utilizes a competency-based learning system that requires students to demonstrate competence on designated performance indicators before moving on to the next level. Students are given opportunities to demonstrate competency in various ways. The curriculum is designed with personalized learning in mind. Students are also expected to master all competencies being assessed in a quarterly, inquiry based, interdisciplinary project.
CIRCLE Foundation minutes can be viewed here.
WHY CHOOSE IHS?
Higher Standards
At IHS students are held to HIGHER STANDARDS of academic and behavioral expectations as expressed in our minimum satisfactory progress policy. Students must maintain a C grade point average or higher to remain in good academic standing. Students that fail to meet academic or behavioral standards are placed on probation and connected with individualized supportive services which include intensive mentoring, tutoring, and or guidance counseling.
Innovative, Engaging, and Rigorous Alternative Pathway to Education
IHS offers an innovative and challenging arts integrated experience in a small alternative school setting for students 16-21 years of age,that have experienced challenges in other schools, which lead them to being at-risk of failure or dropping out. IHS offers a variety of opportunities for students to engage in the academic process as well as to creatively express themselves and develop their individual scholastic potential. All students are assigned a mentor to monitor and support their academic and social success while at IHS.
Curriculum
Our curriculum includes courses in the core subjects of Math, Science, English, Social Science, Music, Health and Physical Education, and Art. Innovations High School boasts a state-of-the-art music studio, and offers Sound Engineering and TV Production classes. Graduates of Innovations High School must complete 18 academic credit hours of study, 40 hours of community service, and a senior portfolio.
OUR STUDENTS
Residents of Chicago - Former Dropouts
Innovations High School students are residents of the city of Chicago who reside throughout the city. We service 450 students. While our charter and campus are committed to providing a program of success for students seeking a high school diploma after dropping out or withdrawing from their previous school, many families have made Innovations High School their school of choice for a quality education in a small school environment.
As mentioned, a great number of our students are former dropouts, which means that there is a strong need for remediation and truancy/drop out prevention services. The culture of the Innovations High School campus is one of family and support for all students. Each student is assigned a staff advisor upon enrollment, and given support for a variety of needs throughout their residency as an Innovations High School student. Student Services and discipline are managed by the Dean of Students Office which works closely with Security staff and mentors to ensure a balance of supportive services for students.
