Academic Curriculum
Curriculum
Students will enroll at the middle college at the end of the ninth grade year. As the student works toward their high school degree over the next four years (grades 10, 11, 12 and 12 Plus) he or she will take college classes in greater and greater degree. The courses taken at the colleges will be determined by:
The students' readiness and interest, approval by the college or university that the course is available to the student
Courses taken at the college will count for credit at both institutions. At times, the college level course will be taken on the middle college campus and at other times on the college campus. However, college credit will only be given when a college level faculty member delivers instruction using an approved syllabus and texts.
It is the intent of the proposal to have college, practicing professionals and secondary faculty working as part of the middle college faculty. They will be learning community team members and fulfill all of the same advisory and parent/faculty conference obligations as the certified secondary faculty.
During the student's four years at the middle college, eight semesters of work, plus summer sessions and January intersession will give ample opportunity for concentrated study in writing, math, computer, capstone projects, portfolio compilation, career exploration and study skills.
Student Body
The RINI Middle College will have a statewide acceptance policy and will enroll students from any city or town in Rhode Island. Every qualifying applicant will have had to at least pass 9th grade English and math and be heading to the 10th grade (including anticipated enrollment in summer school, including English or math). The school’s recruitment will target “a wide range of students, targeting those “not traditionally college bound”. (JFF, 2007) As a state-wide public school of choice with blind admissions policies it is not feasible to forecast the exact demographic make-up of the student body. However, specific efforts will be made to target recruitment to students not traditionally college bound. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of available slots, the school will hold a differentiated lottery under the direction of the RIDE to ensure adherence to the diversity section of the statute.