Academic Outcomes Paper
Top-Performing Blended School in Colorado
Poudre School District Global Academy is a K-12 online and blended public school in Fort Collins, Colorado. Last year their middle school students averaged 242% of typical growth in math and averaged 218% of typical growth in reading. Review this paper and video to learn how this school has grown to be one of the top schools in their state by utilizing the hybrid model.
PSD's keys to growth in student achievement include:
- One-to-one mentoring that teachers provide each student
- The parental or guardian role as learning coaches
- Building strong positive relationships among students and teachers
- Scheduling and classroom set-up that promotes individual instruction and project-based learning
- Engaging content and curriculum available in school and at home
- Automated reporting that helps teachers target instruction
“When the kids are here at school, the instruction is broader, using more capabilities of the [online] courses. Both teachers and paraprofessionals work directly with the kids. At home, students have more focused lessons that keep them on a more defined but flexible path.”
– Heather Hiebsch, PSD Global Academy Principal