Columbia Heights Educational Campus

Research overwhelmingly supports the notion that smaller learning communities (SLC) positively impact grades, test scores, attendance rates, graduation rates, drug and alcohol use, and school safety. SLC's are schools within a school that more readily provide students with mentors, tutors and advisors; make learning more meaningful by linking it to life-experiences and community; and provide adequate time and support for mastery of knowledge and skills.

CHEC has been divided up into six Small Learning Communities. The goal of these SLCs is to provide clear focus, strong student teacher relationships, and attention to the needs of students at different points in their middle and high school careers. Each SLC has its own floor in the building, along with its own administrator, counselor, teachers, and support staff. SLCs also have themes and chants to build their sense of belonging to their SLC.

The Upper House is composed of the Ninth Grade Smaller Learning Community (SLC), the 10th Grade SLC, the Math, Science, Business (MSB) SLC and the Multilingual, Communications, and the Arts (MCA) SLC.

The Math, Science and Business SLC has 11th and 10th grade students, and provides them with a strong academic background and the knowledge and skills needed to follow the pathways leading to professional or technical careers in engineering, computer networking and programming, carpentry or construction, health sciences, business administration and entrepreneurship.

The Multilingual Communications and the Arts SLC provides pathways leading to professional or technical careers in cosmetology, language and interpretation, fine arts, music, law and protective services. This year, MCA will begin a new program in Child Care Development.

Classroom learning is enriched with authentic portfolio projects, career fairs, "briefcases," job shadows, mentoring and practical work-based experiences. Students must complete a job shadow and 80 hours of internship before their senior year. The curriculum is aligned with DCPS academic standards, industry standards, and workplace skills.

The goal is for students to take Early College courses, AP courses, and acquire the foundational skills and certifications needed to support postsecondary or other continued study and employment opportunities. To reinforce classroom instruction, students are encouraged to participate in a variety of co-curricular activities in their school, community and with the schools' AMIGOS/partners.