The mission of Self Development Charter School (SDCS) is to strive for excellence in education by providing students with an outstanding educational foundation and developing lifelong learners.
In addition to an award-winning curriculum, the school has instituted a Formula for Students’ Success. Achieving the school’s mission and students’ success requires the collaborative efforts of administration, faculty, parents and students. The following are some of SDCS’s programs, which support students’ success:
Student and Parent Commitment Agreement
The Student and Parent Commitment Agreement is a contract between the parent, student and school. The agreement clearly outlines the school’s expectations regarding classwork, homework, make-up assignments and grading. This form is distributed, reviewed and signed by the parent and student during Back-to-School-Night festivities to start the school year off on the right foot.
School-Wide Behavior Plan—Three Rs: Respect, Responsibility and Readiness
SDCS’s curriculum focuses on developing good citizens, as well as students, with an excellent academic foundation. Each classroom displays the School-Wide Behavior Plan, outlining the three Rs: Respect, Responsibility and Readiness. Teachers model and instill these values within the classroom from the first day of school.
Parents as Partners
Parents as Partners is one of the school’s reading programs, which encourages reading outside of the classroom, as well as parent involvement. Parents are urged to read with their children on a daily basis. Parents and students who commit to reading a minimum of four nights a week for 15 minutes receive a Parents as Partners Certificate at the end of the year. Many students participate in this program.
Classics Program
Beginning in grade two, students have the opportunity to participate in the Classics Program. Classics (abridged versions) are available for students to read throughout the school year. The classics include The Call of the Wild, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Wizard of Oz, Little Women and Swiss Family Robinson. The program requires a book report and presentation, too. The program reinforces the importance of practicing reading, report writing and public speaking. Students who complete the requirements receive a special trophy at the end of the school year.
Math Facts
Math Facts is an important part of the Self Development Charter School (SDCS) curriculum and homework. Parents are encouraged to help their students memorize Math Facts. Students’ mastery of Math Facts, which includes accuracy and speed, is critical to students’ success with higher level math concepts. The goal is for students to recall the answer to each Math Fact correctly within two seconds. Students who achieve this goal free the capacity of their working brains for critical thinking, including higher level math concepts. Weekly assessments and school-wide competitions are part of the curriculum to monitor students’ progress and promote excitement about learning these facts.
The above are just a few of the programs SDCS promotes as part of the school’s Formula for Students’ Success. If you would like to learn more about SDCS, please contact the front office to schedule a tour. Call (480) 641-2640.