A School of Choice            The key to success is unlocking your future through education.

---

What is a Competency Based High School?

A competency based high school is a new and innovative concept in education. Elgin Independent School District's competency based high school provides all the required courses for a diploma. It is housed on a separate campus located next to the administration offices.

Successful completion of courses is based on exhibiting competence in the subject areas through completion of lessons and testing. The school is designed to provide an encouraging, positive climate for students who have experienced limited success in traditional high school.

It is important that all parties in the application process know that attending the competency based high school is a privilege. It is a second chance for a student to stay in school and receive a high school diploma. If a student is not regularly attending class, is truant, or if the student is not ready for the individual responsibility that is required to perform, the student will be dropped from the school.

How does it Differ from Traditional High School?

OPEN ENTRY / OPEN EXIT: Student may enter the school or graduate at any time during the school year.

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING: Students may attend school in blocks of four hours or the entire school day. There are no bells or required class periods. Students complete courses toward their graduation plan at their own pace.

INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION: Each student works on an individual educational plan designed to complete all requirements for graduation.

NO FAILURE: Students who do not demonstrate 80% competency in a particular subject are allowed to rework lessons and tests until competency is achieved.

Who Qualifies for Admission?

Certain requirements must be met for students to be eligible for admission to the program. Individuals must:

• live in the Elgin district;

• be between the ages of 16 and 22;

• be one or more years behind scheduled graduation.

Curriculum

All courses required for graduation are available for students who qualify. The curriculum at the competency based high school is self paced. As soon as the student completes a course, he/she may begin a new course. There is no pressure of "being behind" or competing for grades. There are no six weeks grading periods or semesters.

---