SIGNATURE PROGRAMS
The Connect Charter School (CNS) has taken many years to develop and refine its structure and instructional programs. Each Signature Program is designed to teach skills that build upon the students’ interests and talents. They help to produce students that are life-long learners that distinguish themselves in high school and prepare them for the increasingly competitive college process.
Western Academic Talent Search
Many gifted young students achieve above grade level. The SAT test provides a higher ceiling and valuable assessment information for young, academically talented students. Taking these tests also provides students with early experience in taking college entrance-type tests.
Leadership / Habitudes
Combines images, relatable stories, and experiences into leadership curriculum development and lesson plans that resonate with today’s young adults, equipping them to navigate through life’s challenges and opportunities.
Exhibitions / Capstone Research Project
Students participate in a project-based learning curriculum that emphasizes critical reading and thinking, research, analysis, and the drawing of meaningful conclusions.
Library of Excellence / National Junior Honor Society
By becoming Leaders Of Their Own Learning, students produce exemplary work that is displayed in the Library of Excellence. They also gain nomination into the Junior Honor Society.
Writer's Workshop / Informing, Creating, Explaining, Expressing, Analyzing
Writing workshop is a student-centered framework for teaching writing based on the idea that students learn to write best when they write frequently, for extended periods of time, on topics of their own choosing.
Socratic Seminar / Side Notes and Analysis
Uses the Shared Inquiry Discussion method developed by The Great Books Foundation. Students learn to analyze readings and participate in shared round table discussions.
Science Olympiad / Experimental Design
A team competition in which students compete in 23 events including earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. Over 7,800 teams compete each year.
Saxon Math / Math Counts / Computation and Application
Saxon Math scaffolds instruction of each concept and continues to review information introduced earlier. This allows students the time and practice to retain math concepts to the level of mastery.
Charm School / Business Skills
Modeled after MIT’s Charm School, our students learn table manners, business etiquette, and how to tie a tie. They are introduced to business networking and proper greetings and handshakes.
City as a Campus
An extension of our core academic curriculum, augmented to provide real-world experiences. The students learn to navigate in an urban environment and use museums, river walk, and the art center.
