The proposal outlines plans for two proposed charter high schools called Helix Schools in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The schools aim to provide students with a personalized, technology-infused education through project-based learning connected to local industries. Key aspects include: - Open enrollment for all eligible 9th graders and a lottery system for admissions. - A focus on serving at-risk students through an interdisciplinary approach to improve outcomes. - A board of directors with representatives from local industry, education, and community organizations to govern the schools. - An academic program aligned to state standards but enhanced with hands-on projects, internships, and preparation for in-demand fields like science and technology.

1. proposal review
section 1.1, 3.1
pg. 13-19 Mission of Helix Schools
! To provide the greater Baton
Rouge region with a student-
centered learning place that is a
pathway to successful
postsecondary placement, and
ultimately, to success in local
industry.
! The goal of Helix Schools is to
develop students who will learn
continuously as our economies
and communities change;
preparing students for cutting
edge careers in the fields of
Science and Digital Media.

2. proposal review
section 1.2, 2
pg. 51-60 School Governance
The Helix Board includes representatives from industry and content
specialties, the non-profit community, education, and community-based
organizations. Other board members are being recruited as well.
Arthur R. Cooper Raymond Jetson
!CEO of the LSU System Research and Technology Treasurer of the Board
!Pastor of Star Hill Church in Baton Rouge since 1994
Foundation
!Executive Director of the Louisiana Emerging !former CEO of the Louisiana Family Recovery Corps
!former State Representative for District 61
Technology Center
!J.D. from Louisiana State University Law Center
Bryan Jones
Chadler Cornett President of the Board
!Director of Business Development for the Baton !public relations and governmental affairs for HNTB
Rouge Area Chamber Corporation
!Economic Development Finance Professional !member of Governor Kathleen Blanco's
!pursuing an MBA communications team
!founded Public Action for Change in Education
James Gilmore, Jr. (PACE)
!Director of Volunteer Louisiana in the Office of the
Lieutenant Governor Jane Metcalf
!previous VP of Louisiana Housing Finance Agency Secretary of the Board
!Doctorate in Human Resource Development !Master’s degree in Education from New York
University
!national consultant for schools to assist with
Ayana McIntosh-Lee
!Communications & External Affairs Director at BP technology planning
!former Director of Technology at St. Joseph’s
Academy
proposal review
section 1.2, 2
pg. 51-60 School Governance
Helix Schools will be led by the Executive Director, Dr. Brian J. Dixon,
who reports directly to the Helix Board. The Executive Director will
oversee the principal, who will supervise faculty and staff at the school.
Dr. Brian J. Dixon
Executive Director
–Doctoral degree in Education
–seven years classroom teaching experience
–former school director at High Tech High

3. proposal review
section 1.1, 2
pg. 3-4 Designing Helix Schools
! The following beliefs have guided
the design of Helix Schools:
– all students can learn
– students rise to the expectations
that adults have of them
– students must have a voice in
determining how they learn
– students have a right to expect and
receive high-quality, engaging
educational opportunities.
proposal review
section 1.4, pg. 4
Alignment to EBR Vision
! to prepare students for:
– engagement in higher education
– success in local industries.
! Aligns to EBR's Vision to
graduate students with the
knowledge, skills and values
necessary to become active and
successful members of a dynamic
learning community.

4. proposal review
section 1.4, pg. 4
Alignment to Mission
! schools serve students through:
– personalization
– technology-infusion
– project-based learning
– and adult-world connections.
! This matches EBR's Mission to
educate all students to their
maximum potential in a caring,
rigorous and safe environment.
proposal review
section 1.1, 3.1
pg. 11, 16, 43 Student Admissions
! open enrollment to all students
who are eligible for the 9th grade
! student admissions will be based
on a lottery system
! partner with EBR and neighboring
districts to increase regional
enrollment
! student body should reflect
districts from which students are
drawn

5. proposal review
section 3.1
pg.12-13, 17-20 Serving At-Risk Students
! is our mission and mandate
– engage students through
personalization
– ensure relevance in academic
coursework
! interdisciplinary approach:
– improves student academic
achievement
– accelerates student achievement
– increases student engagement
– improves student self-esteem and
self-concept
– reduces student behavior issues
proposal review
section 1.8, 3.1
pg. 43-45 Student Recruitment
! community meetings
! partner with middle schools
! interactive, informative website
! flyer distribution
! open house night

6. proposal review
section 1.1
pg. 20-48 Educational Program
! starts with highly-qualified
teachers
! Louisiana core curriculum
! enhanced by projects and field
experiences
! low student to teacher ratio
! every student has individualized
learning plan
proposal review
section 1.1
pg. 20-48 Example Project
! Going Green: The Power of the People
– blends Math/Science and Humanities
– students work in project teams
– aligned to state standards
– guided by highly qualified teacher
– students present and share projects

7. proposal review
section 1.5
pg. 38-39 Focus on Self-Efficacy
! students work in project teams
! student-led conferences
! advisory program
! presentations of learning
! public displays of student work
! regular community meetings
proposal review
section 1.3
pg. 5-7 Objectives and Measures
Results Oriented:
! Strategic
State Assessments: – focus on multiple measures
-from 50% to 90% ! Measurable
Benchmarking: – monthly assessment through NWEA
-continual improvement ! Attainable
Promotion: – modest goals with continual achievement
-from 75% to 90% focus
Attendance: ! Results Oriented
-from 90% to 95% – frequent assessment, reporting, and
retooling
Parental Involvement:
-from 50% to 80%
! Time Bound Terms
– specific benchmarks with yearly targets

8. proposal review
section 3.1
pg. 12-13 Supporting All Students
! work with all students to ensure
academic success through
remediation and enrichment
! formative and summative
assessment
! social worker
! inclusion specialist
! director of achievement
! encouraging parental
involvement
proposal review
section 1.1
pg. 41-42 Professional Development
Weekly Schedule: ! previous experience in PBL
M: interdisciplinary teams ! Director of Achievement leads
T: school level issues ! rigorous pre-opening training
W: faculty meeting ! ongoing assessment, reflection,
Th: teacher mentors and retooling
F: parent communication
! daily professional development
! collegial coaching

9. proposal review
section 1.1
pg. 12-16 Integrating Technology
! one-to-one laptops
! digital portfolios
! online resources
! intelligent tutoring
! presentation stations
proposal review
section 1.4
pg. 4 Enhancing EBR Programs
! collaborative learning
communities
! sharing professional
development
! open-source schools
! student pen pals
! class project partners

10. proposal review
Facilities
section 3.3
pg. 60
! Initially located in the Shaw
Center
! Classroom space spread over
multiple locations
! Students engage in downtown
industry and economy
! Supported by the Downtown
Development District to negotiate
future space in neighboring
buildings
proposal review
School Logistics
section 3.3
pg. 5, 20, 60
! we look forward to working with
EBR to best support students
! negotiating with several vendors
to provide exceptional food
services
! providing transportation to
students in partnership with local
districts and sourcing to a third
party provider
! strong support from business
community and Downtown
Development District

11. proposal review
section 1.2
pg. 4, 26 Innovative Partnerships
! support by BP America, bringing
expertise in current and future
industry to the design of the
school
! strong interest by Digital Media
companies including Electronic
Arts to mentor students and
engage students in the workplace
! partnering with regional
institutions of higher learning,
including Louisiana State
University, Southern University,
and Baton Rouge Community
College
proposal review
section 1.1
Why Two Small Schools?
! instead of one large high school,
we are proposing two small,
focused high schools:
– enables industry partnerships
– focused leadership
– community building
– eligible for Federal start-up grants
– increased funding opportunities
– to best serve students

12. proposal review
section 1.7
appendix 20 School Budget
! budget priorities align to school
mission and mandate
– supporting students through:
! small class sizes
! exceptional staffing
– Director of Achievement
– Social Worker
– Inclusion Specialist
– preparing students for industry
! relevant technology
! professional environment
! internship experiences

13. Helix Schools Frequently Asked Questions:
Academic Program:
Does Project-Based Learning actually work?
Yes. There is much research, cited in the proposal, to support a more in-depth approach to
curriculum and instruction. Student inquiry and engagement are essential in the development
of life-long learning. The interdisciplinary approach involved in project based learning is
particularly effective for “at risk” students, and has been show to:
! improve student academic achievement
! accelerate student achievement
! increase student engagement
! improve student self-esteem and self-concept
! reduce student behavior issues
Aren't the goals set in the proposal low?
Most charter schools―with good intentions―set goals too high. Goals set in the proposal are
appropriate. 50 percent plus for proficiency and above for students from an at-risk population
is appropriate for year one, especially given the aggressive goals by end of Cohort 1ʼs
experience. The schools may very well enroll students 2 -3 grade levels below reading and/or
math skills. Year one is the most difficult to set academic expectations and have students buy
in. It is the year trust building is done. Afterward, this culture is transferred to subsequent
classes; thus the academic standards rise.
What about student retention?
Student retention is highly correlated to student engagement in the school culture. With a
focus on student engagement through efforts such as a student-focused advisory program,
we believe that retention rates will be higher than at traditional high school settings. Ideally,
student retention is nearly a hundred percent, with students being lost only due to natural
attrition.
What about standardized testing?
Helix Schools is committed to preparing students for the future and this includes success on
standardized tests. Without “teaching towards the test,” students are taught test-taking skills
in their core classes and offered supplemental activities to prepare them for high stakes tests.
As the Department of Education moves towards end of course testing, Helix students will be
prepared.
How were the academic goals and criterion for measurement decided upon?
Part of the expertise of the design team included educational evaluators. Based on the
various levels of at risk students, we believe that 50 per cent proficiency is a fair minimum
number. Our goal is beyond that, but we are aware that many students will come to us with
reading and/or math deficiencies.
How will you deal with discipline problems?
A core focus of Helix Schools is on building an inclusive school community. When students
are thoroughly engaged in the school culture, discipline problems decrease. The advisory
program, social worker, and strong parental partnerships are essential in ensuring students
are well-served and fully engaged in the school community. That being said, the charter
proposal clearly outlines the discipline policy. Helix will also look to EBR's alternative program
in serving students who have been suspended from school despite our best efforts.
What does the professional development for teachers look like?
Teachers at Helix Schools will engage in a dynamic professional development program,
ensuring they are both well-supported and challenged to continually improve their classroom

14. practice to best serve students. This program, outlined in the proposal, consists of rigorous
pre-opening training; ongoing assessment, reflection, and retooling; daily professional
development; and collegial coaching.
What is the benchmarking system you will use?
We anticipate using NovaNet, a product of Pearson. Additionally we will use the NWEA.
Facilities and Logistics:
How will lunch work without a cafeteria?
The Downtown Development District has officially agreed to support the schools in helping
secure local businesses to become providers for studentsʼ lunches. We will ensure that any
requests for proposals that go out clearly outline the nutrition requirements that are in line with
the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch guidelines.
Transportation-how do you get the students there?
Helix is committed to providing appropriate transportation for each and every student.
Transportation services will be contracted through a request for proposals process with third-
party vendors.
How will security work and how will that work with expanding downtown?
We will have our staff work with students closely during the first semester modeling
expectations for their behavior and appropriately interacting among the community. Part of
the schoolʼs mission is that students learn to be self-directive so that by the end of the first
year, their behavior meets the expectationsof the downtown community. We also work closely
with our partners in discussing lease agreements to ensure a safe school environment.
How will parking work for teachers? Students in later years?
We will work with the State Parking garage and their lottery system for securing teacher
parking. Students will not be allowed to drive to school and have parking privileges until their
junior and senior years. Student parking will be discussed with each potential location during
the expansion of the schools.
What will the lease cost? Is it a multi-year lease?
Lease discussions have been positive; however, no lease can be put into place until the
schools have been approved. We anticipate the lease costing approximately 65-80K,
depending on the final space and services agreed upon.
What are the plans as the school grows for space?
The schools will initially be located in the Shaw Center with classroom space spread over
multiple downtown locations as the schools grow. The Helix Board will work with EBR and the
Downtown Development District to negotiate future space in neighboring buildings.
Building Partnerships:
How might Helix Schools enhance existing EBR programs?
We are committed to building a mutually beneficial partnership with EBR. These benefits
include shared professional development, collaborative learning communities, project
partners with elementary and middle schools, and online lesson plans and project ideas.
How will you address previous deficiencies in community building efforts?
We are committed to meeting with all stakeholders and, with a focus on transparency, building
the partnerships necessary to see these schools succeed.
How will internships work and are you sure companies will participate?

15. Preliminary agreements to work together are included in the proposal. Students from each
school will work at appropriate sites. There will be a coordinator at the school to oversee
these relationships.
Why 403Bs instead of TRSL?
We anticipate drawing interest from younger teachers to whom mobility is important. Recent
statistics indicate that millennials have on average 14 jobs by the time they are 38. 403Bs are
more mobile and have an employer match right away. 403Bs also allow us to provide more
resources directly for students.
Where will you get teachers?
Recruitment will be done both locally as well as nationally.
Can you clearly explain the relationship with LSU?
The proposed schools are the product of planning by a public/private partnership between
Louisiana State University (LSU) and ADVANCE Innovative Education (AIE). Upon approval,
this partnership will transition from its role as architect to one of advocacy, capacity building,
and support in the implementation. No special privileges are included in the proposal. Our
intent is to take full advantage of what is already offered to public schools.
How will you engage parents?
Parents and family members are key partners in successful schools. Beginning with
community meetings during the recruitment phase, parents are invited to engage in the
school community in a variety of ways. Opportunities for volunteerism in and out of the school
include home visits, representation on a parental action committee, a workday friendly school
schedule. Parental involvement is a core component of Helix Schools, and this philosophy
resonates throughout the entire school culture with a focus on ownership, empowerment,
trust, and personal connections.