Academics
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PUSD offers the following special programs designed to provide a personalized and engaging learning experience for all students: |
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Career & Technical Education
PUSD has adopted the multiple pathways approach for its comprehensive high school reform strategy. The approach helps ensure that PUSD students graduate prepared for college and careers by offering multi-year high school programs organized around career themes or industry sectors. Academies themed around specific careers such as engineering, visual arts, and health are available at PUSD high schools. Students can get work experience through the District’s Regional Occupation Program (ROP), among other programs. Read more about the High School, College and Career Pathways Department.
California Partnership Academies
Partnership Academies are schools within schools that are themed around California industry sectors. Located at Blair, Marshall, Muir and Pasadena High Schools, academies combine personalized classroom instruction with practical training so that students get a head start in college and careers. At Muir, for example, ninth grade students are housed in a Freshman academy to support their success during ninth grade. Students select one of several academies for the remainder of their high school years. Academies are integrated into PUSD's multiple pathways initiative.
Most academies partner with local companies and organizations. PUSD academies include:
- Arts, Entertainment & Media
- Business, Entrepreneurship & Finance
- Computer Careers
- Engineering & Environmental Science
- Science, Engineering & Technology
- Graphic Communications
- Health Careers
- Visual Arts & Design
Dual Language Immersion
PUSD students can master English and Spanish or Mandarin Chinese through the new Dual Language Immersion program offered at San Rafael Elementary and Burbank Elementary. Dual language immersion programs have academic, cognitive and practical benefits to students and families, and increase appreciation for other cultures.
English speakers and English learners receive instruction in English and a target language in the same classroom. The goal is to develop academic proficiency in both languages, beginning in Kindergarten. English learners and English speakers are mixed in the same classroom to promote oral and written fluency in two languages, although languages are not mixed to allow for full mastery. Instead, the language of instruction alternates during the school day. Parents interested in enrolling in the dual immersion program may obtain more information on the Elementary Education page.
International Baccalaureate Programme
The International Baccalaureate program is offered at Willard Elementary School and Blair IB School. The IB program offers rigorous academics with a global focus and is an integrated approach to thinking, learning and teaching that emphasizes a global perspective and responsible citizenship.
The Early Years Programme focuses on the whole child in the classroom – and beyond. In the Middle Years Programme, students develop the knowledge, understanding and skills they will need to actively participate in a rapidly changing world. The high school Diploma Programme is a rigorous two-year curriculum that culminates with a qualification widely recognized by some of the world’s leading universities.
Early College High School
Early College High School offers a blended high school and college experience for PUSD students. Starting in September 2010, participating PUSD students will be able to take classes at Pasadena City College and graduate with both a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree. Early college high school helps bridge the transition from high school to college and careers and exposes students to a college culture. More information about Early College High School is available on the High School, College and Career Pathways webpage.
Alternative Education
Recognizing that not all students perform well in the traditional high school environment, Rose City High School offers an alternative education program to 250 students in an academic program accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. High school students 16 and older receive four periods of instruction daily, with a focus on completing high school diploma requirements, job skills training and class credit recovery. Students are eligible to attend Rose City if they have had behavior or attendance problems at traditional high schools. Students may leave Rose City when they earn 20 class credits or more during one semester and demonstrate appropriate citizenship. Students may choose to return to their school of regular attendance or remain at Rose City.
AdvancePath Academy is a dropout recovery program offered at Rose City High School that provides high-quality educational services to recover, educate and graduate out-of-school youth and those at risk of not earning their high school diplomas. The curriculum is self-paced, mastery-based and heavily utilizes technology.
The Center for Independent Study is a voluntary alternative education school for students who would benefit from a non-traditional mainstream school. The primary goal of the CIS Academy is for all students to complete their secondary education and earn a high school diploma. Our services include an independent study program for those students (for varying reasons - work, medical, family) who are unable to attend a mainstream high school; a dropout recovery program to assist and encourage those high school age students who are not currently attending school to get back into high school to complete their high school diploma; a credit recovery program for those students behind in credits; and a teen parent program. The secondary goal of the CIS Academy is to offer a voluntary means of a individualized learning plan for students whose needs may be met through study outside of the regular classroom setting.
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