North Bay Academy of Communication and Design

The North Bay Academy of Communication and Design is a private project-based high school in Petaluma, CA, opening September 8, 2009. The curriculum is based on models developed by educator Tony Harris over the past twenty years^[1], namely that of San Francisco-based Envision Schools’ flagship charter high school, the Marin School of Arts and Technology (aka MSAT)^[2].

As of June 4, 2009,NBACD is announcing a suspension of its enrollment efforts for the fall, 09-10 term.

Academics

The academic standard and expectation at NBACD will be very high. All students will meet or exceed the UC/CSU requirements for entrance. NBACD expects excellent academic student performance^[3].

Along with academic content and attention to national and state standards, NBACD courses of study incorporate the development of creative, technological, and professional skills, such as critical thinking, written and oral communication, problem solving, and teamwork. Learning is contextual, active, and authentic. Core activities are integrated and interdisciplinary. Project-based work and field studies, along with traditional academic work, are the norm^[4].

Graduation Requirements

At the heart of all the work at NBACD are explicit outcomes measured by rigorous performance assessments. Students will graduate when they have demonstrated mastery in the outcomes listed below as demonstrated through their Senior Graduation Portfolio Defense. In addition to meeting these outcomes, students will graduate having met or exceeded UC/CSU A-G requirements for admission.

NBACD Outcomes

According to the NBACD website, prior to graduation NBACD students will demonstrate the ability to:

• Communicate effectively and persuasively when speaking and writing
• Read and analyze information effectively in a variety of disciplines
• Apply mathematical knowledge and skills to analyze and solve problems
• Apply scientific skills and consume scientific data critically
• Apply the knowledge, concepts, principles, and themes embedded in each of the social studies—history, geography,political science, economics, and philosophy
• Use technology as a tool to access information, analyze and solve problems, and communicate ideas
• Interpret, experience, create, and/or perform original, creative work
• Speak, read, and write effectively in a second language
• Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and self-discipline necessary to achieve and maintain physical and emotional well-being
• Demonstrate leadership through service in the community (local and global)
• Demonstrate leadership skills

External links

• nbacd.org
• Petaluma 360

Notes

1. ^ http://www.nbacd.org/BoD.html
2. ^ http://www.nbacd.org/faqs.html
3. ^ http://www.nbacd.org/faqs.html
4. ^ http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/10/prweb1489474.htm