Self Development Charter School (SDCS), an award-winning, free-of-charge venue, teaches its students a grade level above, and then some.
This also is true for SDCS’s junior high academic program. SDCS’s mission promises to promote special talent, and coach students individually in their academic pursuits.
“SDCS has a strong reputation for its excellent preschool and elementary school program,” principal Anjum Majeed stated. “We provide a solid academic foundation for every age level. Soon, we will be completing the process to become a Cambridge School, but our individualized junior high school program still might remain a best kept secret.”
SDCS students progress through academic levels, not grades. Each student advances at his own best speed. Along the way, young learners create student-directed and teacher-monitored opportunities for independent study. Highly self-motivated individuals may end up having completed Algebra II in the eighth grade.
Students are encouraged to create their own initiatives. One example is last year’s highly successful talent show. “An eighth-grader who wanted to make a difference, Max Gau, came up to us with the idea for a talent show,” Ms. Majeed said. “He organized the auditions, and hosted the program masterfully.”
In spring 2013, SDCS graduated highly self-motivated eighth-graders. Up from six students last year, 10 young men and women were released to various high school tracks. They have nothing to fear. SDCS graduates usually have done extremely well for themselves in high school.
Cody Rappoport graduated from SDCS with honors last year, with a solid Algebra II score under his belt. He was more than ready to take on high school.
“The program was nice,” Cody recalled. “It gave me an advantage because they taught us ahead of grade level. I already learned some concepts in junior high before I would enter high school in the fall.”
Among Cody’s favorite memories were the field trip to the DaVinci exhibit at the Arizona Science Center, and the excursion to the zoo with an overnight stay in tents. However, he also holds the teaching staff in kind regard.
“We had really good teachers,” Cody recalled. “They helped us a lot with the work. They were kind, but corrected us. We did get a lot of one-on-one teacher time.”
Allyson Hamburg-Eylers has made a huge success of her first year at Highland High School. As a freshman, Allyson registered for the maximum of honors classes, ranked No. 1 in her grade level, and reached the top 5 percent overall. She also continues to passionately pursue volleyball, her favorite sport.
During her time at SDCS, Allyson enrolled in an early morning computer class at Highland High School, earning a 98 percent score. An ambitious student who feels drawn to a career in international affairs, she took a Stamford online class at home. And Allyson reached the semi-finals of the Grammable grammar bee at the State Capitol.
Not coincidentally, Allyson credits her amazing academic success to SDCS. “I learned to manage my time better,” Allyson stated. “They taught me good study habits, and gave me valuable test-taking tips so I don’t have to study that long.”
Instead of socializing, for example, the busy student now uses half of her lunchtime for homework, the other half for talking with her friends.
Cade Cote started at the SDCS preschool as a 1-year-old, when his mother, Sherri Cote, was an instructor there. More than a dozen years later, Cade has progressed to Williams Field High School, in Gilbert, where his family resides.
“When I switched to public school, in the eighth grade, I was not challenged as much. It was a lot easier,” Cade reported. The passionate sportsman—football, soccer and basketball—earned a weighted GPA of 4.3 in his freshman year by taking honors classes.
“I have learned to stay on top of academics, become a great test-taker, and absorb more knowledge with superior note-taking skills,” Cade reflected. “I had really good teachers, and the principal, Ms. Majeed, was always involved with the students.”
Cade’s younger sister, Chloe, also rose through the ranks of SDCS. Her public school teachers were greatly impressed with her homework and writing skills.
Self Development Charter School provides individualized and small-group learning opportunities on an accelerated middle school and junior high school level. For more information and openings for the new school year, call (480) 641-2640.