This page will answer questions commonly asked by students and parents.
- What is a Smaller Learning Community?
- Can my child choose their house and/or teachers?
- What academies are available for students to join?
What is a Smaller Learning Community?
Smaller Learning Communities are small groups of teachers and students who
work together to increase student academic performance. SLCs began at Palm
Springs High School in the fall of 2007 with three freshman houses. Since
then the program has expanded to serve freshman, sophmores, and juniors. This
year; freshmen are placed in one of three houses, sophmores are in one of two
houses or one of our three academies, and many juniors are participating in
the academies. Since the beginning of the program, teachers and parents have
noticed an increase in student's grades and attendance while discipline
referrals and tardies have decreased.
Can my child choose their house and/or teachers?
No, in the ninth grade students are randomly placed into one of the three
freshmen houses. One of the freshmen houses is designated as the Arts
Institute house and students interested in this program will be assigned to
this house. In the tenth grade students have the option of joining one of our
academies. If a student does not choose an academy in tenth grade, they are
placed into a tenth grade house. Teachers are randomly assigned to houses and
each house or academy offers students the same core academic classes.
What academies are available for students to join?
In the ninth grade, students have the option of joining the Arts Institute or
they may join it in the tenth grade. Beginning in the tenth grade, students
may choose from the Money, Marketing, and Management (MM&M) academy, the PALM
health academy, or the AART audio recording academy. More information about
each academy can be found on the "LINKS" page by going to each academy's website.