News Release
October 20, 2006
Key Components Lay The Foundation For The New Manual High School
The Manual High School Community Council wrapped up its work by identifying a core set of recommendations set to be included in a final report to the Superintendent and School Board at the November school board meeting. The recommendations made by the 32-member Community Council will be used to inform and lay the foundation for the new school design and structure at Manual.
As a result of hundreds of community meetings, thousands of community conversations, site visits to high performing schools in Boston, Los Angeles and Denver, and information from education experts, the Council recommends that Manual be a rigorous comprehensive high school that ultimately serves grades 9-12, but builds one year at a time, starting with only a 9th grade, and offers a broad selection of academic options and extra-curricular activities.
The following core components were developed through the community process to lay the academic foundation for the school. These components include a vision statement, attributes of a new school leader, and programmatic elements for the new Manual.
VISION STATEMENT:
Every student at Manual High School will be educated to the highest level.
The educational experience at Manual will encourage, challenge and prepare all students for higher education and personal success. Teaching and learning at Manual will be relevant to students' lives and experiences, past and present.
Manual High School will provide a safe, culturally inclusive environment that personalizes and supports a wide variety of programs and activities to meet the needs and aspirations of every student. Academic success and accountability at Manual will be ensured through the expectation of strong and dedicated leadership, quality instruction, ample resources, committed and responsible students and an involved community.
Manual High School will be the heart of a support network for families, neighboring elementary and middle schools, and the community at large.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES OF A NEW SCHOOL LEADER:
Certain personal characteristics are essential for success for the new principal of Manual High School. The expectation is that the successful candidate will:
- Possess personal integrity and a strong moral and ethical character
- Be a goal-setter who goes "above and beyond" what is expected
- Be a life-long learner who is committed to the success of the students in the school
- Be approachable, accessible and highly visible
- Be a good listener
- Be culturally competent
- Be a positive, passionate and enthusiastic consensus-builder
- Work productively and remain focused on the vision, mission, and strategy of Manual High School
RECOMMENDED FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS FOR THE NEW MANUAL:
The Council also articulated foundational elements that it recommends be incorporated into the new design of Manual High School to ensure the future success of the school. The Council deliberated extensively on these elements and aligned upon a detailed list. From this list, the Council focused on three priority elements: creating an intentional culture of success that is centrally focused on the vision and mission of the school; teaching and learning that supports rigorous instruction, as well as academic supports to ensure the success of all students; and a robust support network that thoughtfully integrates academic assistance, social services, and other critical community resources to advance student learning.
Ultimately, the Council felt that the new Manual should be a rigorous comprehensive high school that serves grades 9-12, that builds year by year starting with just a 9th grade. The majority of Council members felt this school should have a broad and even balance of electives in core subject areas as well as sports and extra-curricular options. Other Council members pushed for an alternative to a comprehensive high school citing that in general, urban comprehensive high schools have had limited success in educating low-income and minority students.
ABOUT THE RENEWAL PROCESS:
In February 2006, the Denver Public Schools (DPS) Board voted to temporarily close Manual High School for a year because of low academic performance, declining enrollment, and high attrition. Shortly after, a Renewal Team was appointed to support the community engagement process and a Community Council was established to develop a set of recommendations that would be used to guide the opening of the "new" Manual in the fall of 2007.