RCS EARLY COLLEGE

RCS EARLY COLLEGE:  FOUR ACADEMIES WITH ONE MISSION

HIBBERD'S EARLY COLLEGE PREPARATORY ACADEMY

The Early College Preparatory Academy provides a unique experience for 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders especially selected to participate in this program.  FOUR Cohorts learn together preparing students for college level coursework that will begin when students bridge to the Richmond High School Early College hosted at Richmond High School and Ivy Tech Community College.

DENNIS & TEST INTERMEDIATE EARLY COLLEGE PREP ACADEMIES

Additional students qualified for more rigorous academics and ready to develop College Presence enter the Early College for eighth grade for one year of preparation prior to transitioning to the RHS Early College for freshman year.

RHS EARLY COLLEGE

The RHS EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM has also grown, currently standing at 330 strong.  These students are on a pathway to a career, Associate's Degree, or four year college, or AP Experience.  When they place 'College Ready,' they have opportunity to begin to take dual credit courses.  Perservering students gain a significant amount of College Credits.

RCS EARLY COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE DEFINING VICTORY

This DVD was shown at the 2014-2015 LOOKING FORWARD reception, hosted by IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE, to introduce Early College families to one to another, share information, and honor the students.   This Video gives a picture of what the program is all about. 

 The BRIDGEWAY CELEBRATION is a transition ceremony for students who have been a part of the intermediate experience at HIBBERD'S  EARLY COLLEGE PREPARATORY ACADEMY.  Posted here is the Cohort VI BRIDGEWAY video. Emphasis is on students and their experience of the four Early College CORNERSTONES.  Those cornerstones are: Rigorous Academics, Partnerships in the Community, Service Learning, and HABITS OF MIND (Costa & Kallick; 2000)

                                                                               EARLY COLLEGE BRIDGEWAY CELEBRATION

MISSION

RCS EARLY COLLEGE is a school that is led by a “Theme of Partnerships.” Key to those partnerships is the foundation of the family.

Early College Preparatory Academy and RHS Early College  are both committed to working with families for the benefit of their children and the future of both child and family. Families, the school, and College and Community partners form the canvas for student learning.

SELECTION PROCESS

                                          Who are the Early College students?

TEST INTERMEDIATE EARLY COLLEGE PREP ACADEMY

DENNIS INTERMEDIATE EARLY COLLEGE PREP ACADEMY

HIBBERD INTERMEDIATE EARLY COLLEGE PREPARATORY ACADEMY

TRANSITIONING TO  RHS EARLY COLLEGE

RHS EARLY COLLEGE STUDENTS

RHS EARLY COLLEGE COHORT IV FAMILIES AT IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Richmond Community Schools has taken the research at its word and are beginning earlier in the process to prepare students nominated as academically strong, highly motivated, or very creative for the Early College Program. Originally created by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (2002), this program targets, but is not limited to, First Generation Students with high potential to go to college.

How are students selected?

EARLY COLLEGE & CRUISING INTO YOUR FUTURE CANDIDACY

PHASE ONE: INITIAL SELECTION at GRADE FOUR

Teachers nominate students to candidate for either the Early College or Cruisin’ Into Your Future Programs. The process for both programs includes:

1. Nomination by a Teacher
2.  Home Visit
3.  Interview
   1. Small Group
   2. Large Group
   3. Presentation
   4. Essay
   5. Self-perception Interview Placement

PHASE TWO: EXPANSION

1. Students in good standing in the Communities in School (CIS) Cruising into Your Future Program,  are invited to become a part of the RHS EARLY COLLEGE at Grade 7.

2. Dennis and Test Intermediate Teams additionally nominate other candidates using this process:

               a.  Nominated students are scored on a RUBRIC which goes over HABITS OF MIND

               b. Nominated students GPA and good presence are considered.

               c.  Students expected to be successful in a college bound program are invited to

                    join the RHS EARLY COLLEGE cohort of their grade level.

LEARNING FOR UNDERSTANDING

                                     CRIME CAMP @ IU EAST SUMMER '14   

     RPL PARTNERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS THE BUSINESS PATHWAY

              What makes learning different in the Early College environment?

All instructors are highly certified and have been trained in Project Based Learning. Students are introduced to a college-like culture that exposes them to higher levels of thinking. Mentors, faculty, parent volunteers, and all involved, promote critical thinking.

Characteristics of the Environment in the academy and RHS Early College

• STEM CURRICULUM
• Project Based Learning
• Inquiry Based
• Habits of Mind Daily
• Immersed Vocabulary
• Daily Reflection
• College Visits

                                                                When do students begin at the 

                    RICHMOND HIGH SCHOOL EARLY COLLEGE?

  BRIDGEWAY FAMILY CELEBRATES!

Students who have successfully completed work at the Early College Preparatory Academy then BRIDGE in a special ceremony hosted on the partner college, Ivy Tech Community College, campus.  To BRIDGE students have special requirements which can include~

                      1.  Culture Fair Participation

                       2. Using their GIFTS in Service Learning

                       3. DIVERSITY FORUM with IU East Library Services

                       4. Experience the ACCUPLACER EXAM

                       5. 2.5 GPA and Excellent Behavior, called College Presence

Theme of Partnerships

RCS Early College Academy is a school that is led by a “Theme of Partnerships.” Key to those partnerships is faculty that supports the family.

RCS EARLY COLLEGE  TEAM

• Tre Ronne; RCS EC  Lead Teacher                                   rronne@rcs.k12.in.us
• Cammi Fulvi; RHS Early College Instructor                      cfulvi@rcs.k12.in.us
• Joel Schlabach; RHS Early College Instructor                   jschlabach@rcs.k12.in.us
• Emily Philpott; RHS Early College Instructor                     emilye@rcs.k12.in.us
• Denise Selm; RHS Early College Advisory                       dsekn@rcs.k12.in.us
• Angi Witham; RHS Early College Advisory                       awitham@rcs.k12.in.us
• Teresa Runnels; RHS Early College Advisory                   teresar@rcs.k12.in.us
• Brad Pitcher; Grade Five Primary Instructor                      bradp@rcs.k12.in.us
• Ginger Middleton; Library & EC Instructor                         gingerm@rcs.k12.in.us
•                         HIBBERD ECPA Instructor               
• Tiauna Washington; HIBBERD ECPA Instructor               twashington@rcs.k12.in.us
• Lisa Poenisch; TEST ECPA Instructor                               lpoenisch@rcs.k12.in.us
• Jeanne Key; DENNIS ECPA Instructor                              jeannek@rcs.k12.in.us
• Dave Murray; Gateway to Technology                                johnmu@rcs.k12.in.us
• Dixie Robinson; Consultant & Support                               dixier@rcs.k12.in.us
• Gwinn Gibbs; HIBBERD PROGRAM BUILDING Principal ggibbs@rcs.k12.in.us
• Stacy Mopps; TEST Building Principal                               stacym@rcs.k12.in.us
• Richard Bryant; DENNIS Building Principal                        richardb@rcs.k12.in.us
• Rusty Hensley: RHS Early College Director                       rhensley@rcs.k12.in.us
• Ellen Shepard; RHS Early College Counselor                    ellenr@rcs.k12.in.us
• Rick Wedlow; Career Pathway Coach                                rwedlow@rcs.k12.in.us
• Rae Woolpy; RHS Building Principal                                   raew@rcs.k12.in.us
• Mark Millis; Assistant Superintendent; EC Overseer          mmillis@rcs.k12.in.us
• Jackie Schlichte; RCS Program Coordinator                      jacqueline@rcs.k12.in.us                Ivy Tech Community College Early College Liaison            jschlichte1@ivytech.edu
• Kiersten Barbre: CIS College Career Coach                       kbarbre@rcs.k12.in.us

Community Partners

Who are our partners in the community?