TARGET PROGRAM
Any Burr and Burton student who is unable to succeed in a standard,
traditional secondary program or who is at high risk of dropping out of
school is eligible to apply to the Target Program. Target is an
alternative education program located at a satellite campus on
Richville Road in Manchester. Students receive individualized
instruction and support for their coursework, which is designed to
mirror the curriculum on the main campus.
Goals of the Target Program include:
• Students will become self-reliant.
• Students will understand their academic and social strengths and challenges.
• Students will graduate from high school with an understanding of
transition into independent living including further education,
training, employment, and housing.
• Students will become active citizens, effective workers, and capable family and community members.
FIELD STUDY
1 semester 1 credit Level 3
The Field Study Program offers students the unique opportunity to learn about a variety of careers outside of the regular classroom setting. Students gain knowledge through an off-campus job placement based on a particular career or trade in which they have expressed interest. The opportunity for students to go into the community and apply what they have learned in school has been found to be an effective means for students to learn by doing. One of the main objectives of the Field Study Program is to help prepare students for a successful transition from high school to the highly competitive world of work. Other program goals include helping students
1. have a clear understanding of the job in which they are interning (training, education and skills necessary to enter the profession and succeed);
2. learn how to get along with co-workers and supervisors in the workplace;
3. develop organization and communication skills, as well as responsibility and independence;
4. understand how to successfully get a job.
Field Study is defined as an off-campus job placement (apprenticeship) and/or placement at a vocational center. The school works with individual students to arrange placement in a local business. Application forms are available from the School and College Counseling Office.
CAREER PATHWAYS
1 credit Level 3
What do you want to do with your life? What are you good at? What do you enjoy? Answering these questions is what this course is all about. Students spend time looking at their lifestyles, goals, values, skills and aptitudes. Students then explore different career interest areas and the skills needed to work in each. Finally, students develop a career plan by examining the link between course selection and career preparation, and discovering what educational and/or training opportunities are available after high school. Students learn how to prepare a resume and become familiar with the interview process.
INDEPENDENT STUDY
Burr and Burton occasionally allows students to pursue independent studies through contracts when they have a high level of interest in a particular subject for which there is no appropriate course in the regular offerings. All contracts must be prepared in cooperation with a supervising teacher and approved by a school and college counselor and the relevant department chair. These contracts are also subject to review and approval by the Dean of Studies and the Headmaster if credit is to be given. Independent Study applications may be obtained in the School and College Counseling Office. Contracts must be completed, signed and approved before the end of the second week of the semester for which it applies.
OFF-CAMPUS STUDY
Burr and Burton students who demonstrate the appropriate motivation, independence and responsibility are allowed to pursue study away from the Manchester campus. All applications must be prepared in cooperation with the student’s guidance counselor and/or teachers who may be involved in implementing this plan. The application is reviewed by a faculty committee led by the Dean of Studies. The application and a recommendation are then forwarded to the Headmaster. The Headmaster makes the final approval for off-campus study plans. Students who intend to participate in any off-campus program during the school year such as a ski, snowboarding or ice hockey academy, or a semester travel program, must comply with the following guidelines:
• Students must complete an Off-Campus Study application and contract by June 1 for fall semester or yearlong plans and September 15 for spring semester plans. They also must maintain an overall C+ average in current coursework and be up-to-date with service learning requirements.
• Some courses may require that mid-term and final exams be taken during the regular examination periods at Burr and Burton.
• If a student returns to Burr and Burton behind in course work, it will be the responsibility of the family to arrange and pay for tutoring so the student can meet the requirements of the Burr and Burton course.
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
International students in need of writing, speaking and reading support in English are placed in the appropriate level of ESL based on a diagnostic placement exam. ESL is a full-year course, one block each semester, in which students are immersed in English; these students receive a total of two credits: one in English and one elective credit. ADVANCED ESL is also a full-year course. Students are provided with instruction in advanced grammar, writing, reading and speech. Advanced ESL students are simultaneously placed in an appropriate English class and receive support for their Burr and Burton coursework though the Advanced ESL class. Students gain an elective credit. Advanced ESL is required for all students previously enrolled in ESL. ESL COLLEGE PREP runs for a full year; it is for students who are currently in, have graduated from, or have tested out of Advanced ESL. The focus is on skills needed for the TOEFL exam and for continued success at Burr and Burton. Skills include advanced reading comprehension and analysis, prompted essay writing, and speaking.
All ESL students who wish to graduate from Burr and Burton are required to take one additional English or Social Studies course. For example, an international student enrolled in ESL and attending Burr and Burton for four full years would need either a fifth English or Social Studies credit to fulfill graduation requirements.
