Christel House
2717 S. East Street Indianapolis, IN 46225 Telephone: 317-783-4690 Fax: 317-783-4693 Principal: Mr. Colin Butler
Academy Web: www.chacademy.org/south CEEB Code: 151773 School Counselor: Ms. Laura Tucker
School Profile Christel House Academy is a Mayor sponsored Charter school in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school was organized by Christel House International, an international children’s charity dedicated to building schools in impoverished areas around the world. Since opening in 2002, the population of Christel House Academy has maintained relatively steady at a 90% or greater free/ reduced lunch rate. The elementary school at Christel House Academy opened in 2002 and the addition of the high school came later in 2010 and held its first graduation in June 2013. In 2014, Christel House Academy West (a replica of the south campus) opened on the west side of Indianapolis. In 2017, CHA West is serving grades K-5 growing one grade each year. The south and west campuses also house Christel House DORS, a high school for adult dropouts with the desire to earn a high school diploma. The mission of Christel House Academy is: “The Academy will be recognized as a provider of outstanding education to an underserved population and will maintain high standards of academic rigor, efficiency and accountability. It will provide students with the academic proficiency necessary for higher education, equip them with the desire for lifelong learning, strengthen their civic, ethical and moral values, and prepare them to be self-sufficient, contributing members of society.”
Enrollment The total enrollment at Christel House Academy South for the 2017-2018 school year is 168 students with a staff of approximately 15 professionals. Enrollment for the class of 2018 is 27 students. Ethnicity: 45% Hispanic, 33% Caucasian, 13% African American, 9% Multi-racial
Curriculum Christel House Academy South is rooted in the Expeditionary Learning philosophy of education (www.elschools.org), utilizing the Engage New York curriculum for grades 3-12 in the Humanities and Mathematics. Students study relevant curriculum in depth and develop rigorous projects. Students are not only taught and assessed on standard academic curriculum, but twenty first century skills as well. The school has integrated a total 1:1 laptop initiative, promoting the acquisition of necessary technological skills in our digital age. All students are expected to have the skills and academic knowledge necessary to be successful at a four-year college upon graduation. For this reason, students take four years of core content classes in English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, and also three years of a foreign language (Spanish).
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Educational Options In order to provide educational programs that fulfill the unique needs of our juniors and seniors, students who meet certain criteria are eligible to participate in the following educational options. We do not offer any AP courses. ●
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Dual Enrollment Program: Juniors and seniors may earn high school and college credits through the University of Indianapolis. Courses offered at CHA- Introduction to Psychology 101, Introduction to Philosophy 101, Spanish Writing and Correspondence 300, Spanish Culture and Civilization 317, Education Professions 100, English Composition 101, English Literature 102 Dual Enrollment on campus: Seniors may choose to select college courses that are not offered at CHA and may enroll in college courses on University of Indianapolis campus. Examples of courses taken on campus- Ethics, World History, College Algebra/Trigonometry, International Business and Finance, Biology
Minimum Requirements A total of 47 credits are required for graduation. All seniors are required to submit an acceptance letter from a 4 year post-secondary institution. English Math Science Social Studies
8 credits 8 credits 8 credits 8 credits
Spanish Fine Art Physical Education Electives
6 credits 2 credits 2credit 5 credits
Grading Scale CHA practices standards based grading. All courses taken at CHA are included in computing GPA and class rank. Grades are weighted in dual credit courses and in all courses where the student performance is at an honors level (Final grade of greater than 3.2).
Core classes (English, Math, Science, and Social Science) are evaluated on a year-long continuum. Students with passing grades (2.5 or higher) received credit for the entire year of a core course.
Standards Based Grades Students at Christel House Academy receive scores on standards rather than assignments. This helps separate true academic achievement from a student’s effort and behavior. CHOW (Character and Habits of Work) scores represent a student’s level of responsibility, integrity, respect and independence. Only classes taken at Christel House Academy are calculated in the student’s cumulative GPA and class rank. Outside earned credits are transferred, but with no GPA impact. Courses transferred prior to August 2017, earned credits transferred in were converted to numerical grades using the College Board grading scale. Beginning August 2017, transfer grades are recorded as the letter grade received from the transfer school, still with no GPA impact.. Also beginning in August 2017, the conversion chart below will be used to calculate GPA. Grades recorded prior to August 2017, GPA was calculated using the final course grade as the GPA points (Final grade=3.37, GPA points awarded=3.37) Standards Based
Standards Based Grade
Letter Grade
GPA points awarded
Honors
3.8-4
A-Weighted
4.3
3.5-3.79
A-Weighted
4.2
3.2-3.49
A-Weighted
4.1
3-3.19
A
4
2.9-2.99
A-
3.7
2.8-2.89
B+
3.3
2.7-2.79
B
3.0
Mastery
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(sufficiently accomplished to advance)
Developing
Beginning
2.6-2.69
B-
2.7
2.5-2.59
C+
2.3
2.41-2.49
C
2
2.31-2.4
C-
1.7
2.21-2.3
D+
1.3
2.11-2.2
D
1
2.01-2.1
D-
.7
1.5-2.0
F
0
1
F
0
Future Plans – Class of 2017 (38 graduates) & Persistence rate- All graduates 2013-2017 4-year college 2-year college/Technical
58% 11%
Armed Forces Employment/Other
3% 29%
Post-Secondary persistence rate- Graduating classes 2013-2017=75%
Student Assessments CHA administers the following assessments to aid teachers and counselors in diagnosing individual strengths and weaknesses in order to provide more effective instruction. Our school also uses this information for identifying potential national merit scholars. PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) – administered to all 10th and 11th graders. Acuity - Administered to all grade levels. Five Star Pivot - Administered to all grade levels
Post Secondary Schools Christel House Academy students are attending Indiana University, Purdue University, IUPUI, University of Indianapolis, Indiana State University, Ball State University, Butler University
Honors diplomas awarded 2014-9/23 39% 2015-14/28 50% 2016-11/19 58% 2017-30/38 79%
Awards & Rankings -
2016 and 2017 College for Every Student School of Distinction 2013 and 2016 IMLEA School to Watch 2017 School of Character 2016 Bronze Medal High School 2017 NASSP Breakthrough School
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