Positive Outcomes Charter School

Demographics

Percentage of students*

Why Positive Outcomes Charter School was nominated

They serve really struggling students with a very innovative Big Picture framework. They particularly recruit students with disabilities and other students who face systemic obstacles to learning. They are humble and open to suggestions and don't make excuses, exposing every student to 21st century learning. As a school in the Big Picture Learning network, this school supports the organizational mission of activating the potential of Schools, Systems, and Education through student-driven, real-world learning. Its design helps to scaffold and facilitate student learning aligned with the "10 Expectations" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K96c-TGnSf4) and it is organized to implement the "10 distinguishers" (https://www.bigpicture.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=389353&type=d&pREC_ID=902235) to deliver "one kid at a time" personalized learning situated in the communities it serves.

Student experience design

Positive Outcomes Charter School (POCS) seeks motivated and curious learners eager to pursue their passions in a real-world setting. POCS students take ownership of their learning and develop academic skills by exploring various interests, including but not limited to medicine, law, business, art, fashion, music, and education. There are no limits to what students can explore. At POCS, our goal is to inspire students to become lifelong learners. We aim to empower students to take charge of their learning to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed beyond high school. We use a multi-faceted educational model that works best when students are motivated and accountable for their learning. We have four overall expectations for each student. These expectations are that students become self-reliant, lifelong learners, contribute to their communities, and always have integrity. For the Upper School (10th, 11th, and 12th grade) students, the Internship program, Learning Through Interests, provides a vehicle for connecting real-world learning to the curriculum. At POCS, we utilize the internship and mentor relationship to create a whole learning circle through project-based work. Our community-based learning programs provide opportunities for out-of-the-classroom real-world learning for the Lower School (7th, 8th, and 9th grade) students. Our Lower School develops, plans, and executes weekly community service projects. At POCS, we enroll families. We look for those with a community spirit, an appreciation for cultural diversity, a willingness to build trusting relationships, and who will enrich life within our school environment. Parents and guardians are an integral part of our schools; therefore, we offer you the opportunity to attend an open house for a closer look.

Core Practices

Core Practices	Length of Use
Student Advisories	5+ years
Assessments For Social-emotional Skills	3-4 years
High Quality Instructional Materials	5+ years
SEL Curriculum	3-4 years

All Practices

Disaggregated Data On Student Participation

All Courses Designed For Inclusion

Individual Learner Profiles

Mental Health Services

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics

No Tracked Classes

Project-based Learning

Restorative Practices

SEL Integration School-wide

Student-led Conferences

Students Access Their Own Data

Student-led Goal Setting

Trauma-informed Practices

key reasons for innovating