Racine Civil Leaders Academy - (262) 664-8500

RCLA is a public charter school that uses Project-Based Learning, prioritizes math and science, and focuses on community leadership.

How is Racine Civil Leaders Academy (RCLA) different?
RCLA is a public school of the Racine Unified School District. It is different in three ways. First, it is an urban, neighborhood school, meaning that the hundreds of students who are currently bussed out of the Mid-Town neighborhoods will now be able to attend school in their own community. Second, RCLA is a charter school that has more flexibility in meeting the needs of students through its curriculum and partnerships with community members. Third, our curriculum and approach is designed to specifically meet the needs of low-income students and minorities.

What will be the instructional model used at RCLA?
RCLA students learn through a school-wide instructional model referred to as Project-Based Learning (PBL). PBL is an effective and enjoyable way to learn. With opportunities to apply academics to authentic real-world projects, students become active learners. When students are more interested in their learning, they perform better. After completing a project, students remember what they learn and retain it longer than compared to traditional learning. Students are also better at applying the learned information and skills to new situations. Important parts of PBL are learning how to solve problems, working collaboratively, communicating ideas, and being creative innovators...all things that students will need to do in their future careers. Students also get to use modern technology, allowing them to connect with experts, partners, and audiences around the world; and they use technology to research, create products, and collaborate more effectively. Feel free to visit www.bie.org for more information on the effectiveness of Project-Based Learning!

How does RCLA's focus on math and science benefit students?
A strong foundation in science and math prepares students for many well-paying jobs, especially those related to technical and STEM (science, technology, engineering andnmath) fields. In fact, half of all jobs that require more than a high school diploma will go to people who have just a certificate or associate degree. (Georgetown Center)

How will the community be involved with RCLA?
Our goal is to build trust with community members so that we all may hold each other accountable for the sake of the children. We want families to be honest about what kind of help they need to support their children’s education, and we want to form community partnerships that fill those gaps. We want families and community members to express interest in how children are doing in school and to provide the encouragement students need to stay on track.

In what other ways will RCLA be different?
Staff and students of RCLA will be required to wear uniforms. Also, bussing will not be provided.

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