The Bad & the Ugly
(Good Is Outnumbered)
where did we go wrong?

Most High Schools Still Look Like This:

Why Change School?
With one person
working and up to 40
people waiting to
learn...
...is it any surprise
kids are bored?
bored

the local scene
we’ve got real work to do.....

feeling good, doing bad.....
we’ve got real work to do.....

how will we be judged?
we’ve got real work to do.....

we’re all writing teachers
we’ve got real work to do.....

The following facts and figures are from:
http://www.getrealca.com/

Out of 10 California HS Freshman....

Out of 10 California HS Freshman....
7 will actually graduate

Out of 10 California HS Freshman....
4 will go to college

Out of 10 California HS Freshman....
2 will graduate from college

Out of 10 California HS Freshman....
At Minarets, we think the six need something
besides what most High Schools give them.

Out of 10 California HS Freshman....
At Minarets, we also think the two who won’t
graduate from college might need something else, too.

The Other Bad Part Is
“high school” ends up being two schools
Engaged Disengaged

The Real World & “College Prep”
• Only 22% of CA jobs require a bachelor’s
degree or higher.
• Annual earning for college grads in the U.S.
have been declining since 2000.
• According to estimates, supply of four-year
degree college grads exceeds labor market
demand by at least 45%.
• About 20% of college grads earn less than
high school grads, while 20% of high school
grads earn more than college grads.

Misleading the Masses....
• In 1987, 74% of high school students were
in Career Technical courses. In 2005, it
was only 34%.
• The average beginning age of a skilled
apprentice in CA in 1960 was 19, while
today it is 29.
• Three times as many BA/BS degree holders
enrolled in one of CA’s community
colleges last year compared to the number
of AA holders who enrolled in a four-year
school.

The Truth Behind The Truth
• A vast majority of CA jobs require high
level of technical literacy and skill, but
not a four-year degree.
• The Gates Foundation survey of high
school dropouts found 47% said classes
were not interesting, while 81% called
for more real-world learning
opportunities. 88% of those students
had passing grades when they dropped
out and 70% said they could have
graduated if they tried.

Students choose new schools...
• The number of Charter Schools in CA
increased by more than half from 454 in
2003-04 to 688 in 2007-08
• Enrollment growth in charter schools was
comparable, increasing from 167,000 students
in 2003-04 to 253,000 in 2007-08. It is still less
than 5% of the K-12 enrollment in the state.
• Charter high schools have grown the fastest.
In 2007-08, about 39% of all charter students
were in grades 9-12 compared with about a
third five years earlier.

OK..... the Good....
or at least the better!

Minarets High School
Our technology is infused
Video Production?
All freshman are producing one video per week
Internet?
Have it anytime, anywhere - really
Wireless Access?
Campus-wide, secure wifi access
Laptop?
Yes! Bring one, it’s ok!
School email?
Yes, even at school, for assignments, tests and questions

Minarets High School
Career Options
We share career path
options from day one
in fields like:
media and the arts,
science and agriculture

Minarets Students Rate The Year:
• 81% rated their own personal growth as a 1 or a 2 on a scale
of 1 – 5 with 1 being outstanding.
• 96% rated the school as being a 1 or a 2 on a scale of 1 – 5
with 1 being very successful.
• 100% rated their treatment from the staff as a 1 or a 2 on a
scale of 1 – 5 with 1 being outstanding.
• 95% rated their opportunities this year as a 1 or a 2 on a
scale of 1 - 5 with 1 being outstanding.
• 100% rated their experience as it compared to what they
though other 9th graders were experiencing a 1 or a 2 on a
scale of 1 – 5 with 1 being Far Better.
• Over half, 57%, said that their math skills improved this
year from last year either a great deal or quite a bit.
• 86% said that their language skills improved this year from
last year either a great deal or quite a bit.

Minarets Parents Speak Out:
• Robin Cooper said her son Sean actually looks forward to coming to
school. “The school is not only strong in academics and is cutting edge
in technology, but fosters self confidence, promotes leadership and
treats students as young professionals,” said Mrs. Cooper.
• Maryann McGovran said her son Harley has really enjoyed his first
year at Minarets and is looking forward to the next three years. “In
the last nine months, he has gained technical and auditory skills that
he would not have had the privilege of at a different high school. He
has gained confidence in himself to take on different tasks that would
not required of him at other school,’ said Mrs. McGovran.
• Linda Graves said her son Sarah is so pleased with her decision to go
to Minarets High School. “The teachers and staff at Minarets take a
personal interest in their students and give 110% . They are creative
and forward thinking when it comes to meeting students’ needs. My
daughter is better prepared in one year for whatever she decides to do
after high school than I was in four years,” said Mrs. Graves.

Minarets Parents Speak Out:
• Kaleigh Medrano said her daughter Chyrese has been excited to get
up and go to school. “Minarets has given Chyrese all of the
opportunities she ever needs to be successful and other parents have
said the same thing. Everything that Minarets is doing should be
what other schools do because the kids love it,” said Ms. Medrano.
• Christine Hopkins said her grandson Reno McClellan has been
informed and advised well with regard to what he needs to focus on for
his future goals. “He has been supported and encouraged in any
endeavor he wishes to explore with regard to a career choice. The
emotional support that is offered is outstanding to say the least,” said
Ms. Hopkins.
• Curt Palmer, father of Bobbi Palmer, said that his experience this year
with the staff and program at Minarets was superb. “The school’s
philosophy of trust and professionalism for, and from the students,
seemed to launch these young people into a level of interest and
accomplishment that is unique to myexperiences with other high
schools,” said Mr. Palmer.