Richard Milburn Academy A to Z

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A – Accountability
As a public school, Richard Milburn Academy must meet district and state accountability measures to show that we offer a quality educational program that is legally compliant and fiscally responsible. Our students must earn the appropriate number of credits to receive a diploma and they must pass state standardized tests. RMA teachers must be certified in the subject that they teach and be considered highly qualified according to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Charter schools are heavily scrutinized and must meet more accountability standards than traditional public schools to remain open. Richard Milburn Academy is highly accountable to its students, their families and the school district

B - Beyond High School
Earning a diploma from Richard Milburn Academy does not just mean that you have finished high school; it means that you are prepared for the future. Whatever your next step is, be it college, a job, military enlistment or something else, you're ready for it because of the strong foundation of knowledge and skills RMA has helped you develop. Richard Milburn Academy helps you complete your high school education while preparing you for life beyond high school.

C - Class Sizes
At RMA, we know that bigger is not always better. Small class sizes allow our teachers to give our students more individual attention than they would receive in a larger classroom. Because they work so closely with the students, teachers are able to identify their academic strengths and weaknesses and design their lesson plans accordingly. With fewer students to distract them, our students thrive in the classroom and are more engaged in the learning process.

D – Drop-Out Prevention
Students who have experienced difficulty in a traditional school setting often feel frustrated and may believe that they cannot succeed academically. Many of these students drop out or are considered to be at risk of dropping out of school. Richard Milburn Academy gives these students the opportunity to continue their education in an environment better able to meet their needs. Instead of dropping out of school, they have the opportunity to enroll at RMA, get back on track and earn a diploma.

E - Eligibility
RMA is designed to help students who have experienced difficulty in a traditional high school setting, who have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out of school or whose personal circumstances make attendance and success at a traditional school difficult. Students who are struggling in large classrooms and need more one-on-one attention or who have personal obligations that require them to attend school on a flexible schedule are eligible to attend RMA. Students who have performed poorly on standardized tests, have received failing grades in two core subjects in the most recent grading period, have been retained in their grade within the past four years or who have poor attendance may also enroll at RMA. Richard Milburn Academy enrolls students who would be eligible to attend a public high school within the district with which it has a charter agreement. Students must have enough credits to be in at least the 9 th grade.

F - Flexible Scheduling
We understand that students may have obligations that make it difficult to attend a traditional school day. Richard Milburn Academy offers students a flexible schedule that helps them balance their personal and academic responsibilities. The school may offer separate morning and afternoon sessions, a shortened day schedule or evening classes. Students participating in the School-to-Work program attend classes during one part of the day and work at their approved job site later on, allowing them to balance academics with work. As a charter school, RMA has the flexibility to offer its courses in a manner that meets students' needs.

G - Graduation
The goal of every high school student is to walk across the stage at commencement and receive his or her diploma. At Richard Milburn Academy , we do our best to make that dream a reality for our students. We provide them with support and make sure they are aware of the requirements they need to fulfill to graduate. Upon enrolling at RMA, each student receives a personal education plan outlining the courses and credits s/he must complete. RMA provides special tutorial and review sessions to help students who are having difficulty passing the state standardized exam necessary for graduation. A student does not achieve success and graduate alone; it is a team effort made by the student, his/her family, teachers and the community.

H - High School Program
Our student-centered approach to learning produces results. Flexible scheduling, small class sizes, individualized instruction and support services greatly affect a student's academic performance. RMA offers students a complete high school curriculum and the opportunity to earn a certified diploma, not a GED. Richard Milburn Academy 's curriculum mirrors the local school district's, making it possible for students to transfer credits earned at RMA to another school. Students take classes that develop their core skills and may choose from a variety of elective courses to complete their schedule. As students improve their core skills, they learn life and work skills that help prepare them for life after graduation. Students increase their self-confidence as a result of their improved academic performance and earn higher scores on standardized tests.

I - Involvement in the Community
RMA students receive a well-rounded education, developing their skills both inside the classroom and in the community. Community-based projects are an integral part of the RMA experience and an excellent opportunity for students to develop their leadership skills. Past projects have included everything from intramural basketball leagues to community spirit parades to tutoring elementary school-aged children. Students may plan and execute a project, often through the student council or an extra-curricular club, or participate on behalf of RMA in a pre-planned community event. RMA students enjoy volunteering and participating in the community as a way to better themselves and to show pride in their school. At RMA, we believe that success is about a student's educational experience as a whole, both inside and outside the classroom.

J - Just Like Family
If you ask a few students what it's like at Richard Milburn Academy you're likely to hear the same answer: family. In our safe, supportive, friendly environment, students feel comfortable and free to be themselves. They feel cared for, respected, important and like they are part of an extended family. Students experience stability and a sense of belonging that they may never have had before. Teachers and administrators are dedicated to each student's well-being and success and go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that students receive the support and attention they need. Students support and encourage each other's goals and success. The RMA family becomes as important to students as their biological family.

K - Keeping Students Safe
One of RMA's top priorities is the safety and well-being of its students. Schools are staffed with security guards and teachers monitor hallways to ensure that students are where they are supposed to be at all times. Guests must show identification and be escorted while they are on campus; no unauthorized individuals are allowed in the school. RMA also works with the local police department to ensure that high safety standards and procedures are in place.

L - Life Strategies Discussions
RMA students participate in life strategies discussions throughout the year. These discussions focus on topics relevant to students' success in school and in life. Students learn how to make safe choices and good decisions as they develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students learn communications strategies that help them improve interactions with their peers. The life strategies discussions comprise a unique component of the RMA program that helps students develop their personal skills as well as their academic skills.

M - Measuring Success
RMA uses traditional and nontraditional measurements to evaluate students' academic performance and success. Because RMA is a public school, students must pass the same state standardized tests that students in traditional public schools do. Though our students must take and pass the state test, we know that test scores alone do not tell the full story of our students' accomplishments. We consider the improvements a student has made personally or academically to be strong indicators of a student's performance, even if s/he hasn't yet passed the state test. It takes time for students who have experienced difficulty in another academic setting to make significant progress, and we know that it may take them some time to meet state and district benchmarks.

N - Nontraditional Setting
We pride ourselves on delivering quality educational services to students who prefer a nontraditional learning environment. Small class sizes, flexible scheduling, a strong sense of family and small, intimate school facilities are just a few of the elements that make our program special and different from what traditional public schools offer. Students and their parents are encouraged to communicate with teachers and administrators frequently; no concern is too big or too small. The team approach RMA takes to educating students and helping them achieve personal and academic success also makes our school unique. Our approach to education, our ability to adapt our program to meet individual student needs and our encouragement of parental involvement and open communication set RMA apart from traditional public schools.

O - Open Communication
RMA knows that open communication between all parties is a major factor in a student's academic success. School staff members, including the school director, are available for conferences and consultations with parents and students at any time. Parents are encouraged to visit the school and voice their concerns and opinions throughout the year. Teachers communicate with parents during the year and notify them if a problem develops with a student or his/her performance. Because RMA is a small school, students and their families have the opportunity to communicate frequently and openly with their teachers, counselor and school director. Open communication helps ensure students' success and reminds them that at RMA they are part of a family, not just another student lost in the crowd.

P - Public Charter School
A charter school is a public school that is independently operated by an entity or individual(s) other than the school district. Charter schools are designed to enhance learning, to provide parents with more educational choices for their children and to establish an alternative learning environment that ensures academic improvement and accountability. Charter schools do not compete with public schools or try to manage them; they partner with the public school district to provide quality academic programming and to increase the number of options available to students. As a charter school, Richard Milburn Academy provides a tuition-free public education to students who want to learn in an innovative environment that is better able to meet their needs.

Q - Qualified Teachers
Richard Milburn Academy hires qualified, compassionate teachers who are dedicated to helping students achieve personal and academic success. Our teachers understand that many of our students have specific learning needs and adapt their instructional strategies accordingly. Because RMA is a charter school, our teachers are allowed a higher level of autonomy and creativity than traditional public school teachers. This allows them to be innovative in their use of materials and teaching methods. Our teachers are committed to helping our students improve their academic performance and earn their high school diploma.

R – Rigorous Academic Program
Richard Milburn Academy offers challenging courses and a complete high school curriculum similar to that of the school district. We offer core classes in English/language arts, math, science and social studies. Our electives vary but often include courses such as foreign language, humanities, art, computer skills and personal/life skills. RMA students must meet the same graduation requirements as students attending traditional public schools, including passing the state exam. We challenge our students to improve their academic performance and reach their maximum potential. Students who enroll at RMA benefit from our unique approach to education as well as our firm commitment to student success. Students wishing to accelerate or supplement their individual academic program may enroll in additional classes offered by WISE, a virtual high school.

S – School-to-Work Program
Richard Milburn Academy helps students develop academic, life and work skills. Through the School-To-Work program (STW), students learn valuable skills that prepare them for employment during and after high school. Students earn credit as well as income in the program, receiving classroom instruction part of the day and working at an approved job site during another part of the day. Students learn how to create a resume, complete a job application and prepare for an interview in addition to social skills such as interacting with customers and colleagues and acting professionally and ethically in a work situation. The student's manager/supervisor and school-to-work teacher evaluate the student's performance.

T – Testimonials
RMA students have some great stories to tell. Some of them are the first in their family to earn a high school diploma. Some will tell you that they felt lost in big classes where they couldn't get enough help from their teachers and that RMA's small class sizes made a big difference for them. Others will tell you that being able to attend classes on a flexible schedule made it possible for them to care for a child or work to support a family while earning credits toward graduation. Students will tell you how much the support and encouragement from teachers and their peers meant to them and how, had it not been for RMA, they would not have completed high school or even considered going to college. Each of our students is unique and has a special story of determination and success to share.

U - Utilizing Technology
Today's students must be fluent in various technologies to be successful in school, the workplace and life. Richard Milburn Academy integrates technology throughout its curriculum to prepare students for the competitive environments in which they will find themselves after graduation. Students learn various software packages in the school's computer lab and are encouraged to supplement their classroom instruction with virtual classes offered by WISE Internet High School . Because RMA is a charter school, its teachers have the freedom to be creative and use technology innovatively in the classroom.

V - Valuing Student Individuality
Richard Milburn Academy celebrates the various talents, gifts, attitudes, differences and abilities of its students. Students are not lumped together by group or made to feel like faces in the crowd. We value and respect each student as an individual with something to contribute to our school. Students are encouraged to share their stories with faculty members and other students so that everyone may learn about and from each other. We help students increase their self-confidence and self esteem, making them realize that they should be proud of who they are. At RMA everyone is part of a team, and everyone plays a unique and special role on that team.

W - WISE Internet High School
Students seeking additional instruction may supplement their RMA classes with courses delivered by WISE Internet High School . WISE offers a selection of eight-week courses that allow students to learn on their own time. Students have access to teachers through email and discussion threads that they and their classmates conduct online at Blackboard.com. Credits earned through WISE may be transferred to RMA or another school. For more information about WISE visit http://www.wisehighschool.org.

X - "X"tra-Curricular Activities
To help provide our students with a well-rounded educational experience, RMA offers a variety of extra-curricular activities. In the past, these activities have included everything from a student newspaper to a drama group to a prom committee. Students are encouraged to suggest activities and work with faculty advisors to start clubs and programs. Our extra-curricular activities reflect our students' interests and needs and vary from year to year. Extra-curricular activities give students the opportunity to have fun, develop and share their interests and interact with each other outside the classroom.

Y - Year-Round Enrollment
Richard Milburn Academy enrolls students year-round. A student may enroll at any point during the year for any length of time. Year-round enrollment is another way RMA's flexible scheduling makes it possible for students to succeed in school and graduate. Teachers work with students who enter the school at a late point in the semester to make sure that they are on track and caught up with their classes. Year-round enrollment means a year-round opportunity for students who have previously experienced academic difficulty to make a change in their lives.

Z - Zero Tolerance Harassment & Discrimination Policy
Discrimination against or harassment of an individual or group of individuals will not be tolerated under any circumstance at Richard Milburn Academy . RMA strives to provide staff and students with a safe, supportive, respectful environment. Diversity, understanding and acceptance are encouraged and promoted. RMA does not discriminate in its hiring, enrollment or school-administered programs.