Johnson Corporate Academy

Hiram W. Johnson High School

6879 14th Avenue

Sacramento, CA 95820

                        The Johnson Corporate Academy is one of the California Partnership Academies and was created in 1984 with the passing of S.B. 605. In 1985, after a year of planning, the Johnson Corporate Academy was implemented based on the model outlined in S.B. 605. There are now over fifty Partnership Academies in California. The main components of the Johnson Corporate Academy (and the other Partnership Academies) are as follows:

·        A "School - Within - A - School" structure

Johnson Corporate Academy is comprised of four teachers who share a common preparation time. The classes are smaller (maximum class size for JCA classes is 25) and are scheduled as the first four hours of every day. All of the Academy students are in all four Academy classes and stay with these teachers for their 10th, 11th, and 12th grade years. All of this facilitates the Academy teachers in focusing increased attention on Academy students.

·        A Vocational/Career Area focus

All Academies have a focus. Health Careers, Electronics, Agribusiness, Computer Applications, Finance, Transportation, and Design/Marketing are a few of the areas that are being used. The focus of the Johnson Corporate Academy is Computer Applications.  There are three focus areas of computer applications: Graphics and Animation, Business Applications, Web Development.

·        A three-way partnership between School, Industry, and the CA. Dept. of Education

The CA Dept. of Education provides funding. The Sacramento City School District matches that funding by allowing for smaller class sizes and extra preparation time for the teachers. The CA. State Franchise Tax Board and Employment Development Department match the funding by providing volunteers to assist in classes, job shadow opportunities, adult “mentors” to work with students one-on one, a "real-world" connection for the curriculum, and volunteer and paid work experience for students.

·        "At-risk Students"

The Academy addresses the needs of a rapidly growing group of students. These students are not characterized by identifiable learning difficulties (Special Needs, non-English speaking, etc.) or by dramatic, attention-getting behaviors (violence/criminal) and they are not served by existing Stay-in-School programs. These are students who typically “fall through the cracks”. All they need to be successful is a little extra motivation, and a little extra attention. While the primary function of the Academy is to address the needs of “at risk” students, we are allowed to accept non- -”at risk” students as well.

·        Voluntary Program

The Partnership Academy is voluntary for staff, students, and parents. It is not a punitive measure. No one is ever assigned to the Academy program.

·        High School Graduation

The primary goal of the program is a High School Diploma. Secondary goals include post-secondary education and/or entry level positions with employers.

·        Block Scheduling

All Academy students are enrolled in all four JCA classes (a typical master schedule is attached). The main JCA classes are in columns by teacher, Mica Brown (Computer Applications), Jean Puente (Social Studies), Thomas Pugh (Mathematics), and Mike Radman (English). There are two additions to the “block”. The first is a 10th grade Science class taught by Joe Epperson. The second is a zero period class, Economics and Taxes, taught by Jean Puente and IRS instructors.

·         Standard High School Curriculum

Academy students are given the same curriculum as the other students at Hiram Johnson. All Academy classes meet the University of California A through F requirements (a general outline of a student’s four year, college-prep student program plan is attached). JCA classes are different from “standard” classes only in the teaching methods and class size. The JCA teachers use many different teaching strategies (collaborative groups, long-term projects, video and computer presentations, etc.) to reach all of the students. We also do projects each quarter that integrate skills from all of the students’ classes. JCA class size is set at a maximum of 24.

·        Computer Applications

The JCA has a computer network of 27 Pentium class machines running Novell NetWare and Windows 98/2000. Each student also has access to Laser printers, a scanner, and a fax machine. The JCA students are taught to use the software, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, FrontPage), CorelDraw and Corel PhotoPaint, PageMaker, and Flash, They also learn HTML, Javascript and other Web programming needs. As a senior each student leaves with a CD containing their portfolio and in most cases have a personal web page on the Internet.

·        Franchise Tax Board

Our business partner provides many things for our students. Some volunteers act as guest speakers. Some work in classrooms as teacher aides. Many employees volunteer to act as mentors to individual JCA students. These mentors act as role models and are able to help students with schoolwork and a variety of activities including job shadowing, career exploration, and college visitations. Many mentor/student relationships continue year to year and even after graduation.

The other contribution our business partner provides is voluntary and paid work experience for students. They work very closely with us and focus on “workability” skills such as attendance, promptness, attitude, and productivity. While the initial positions for students involve low skill jobs, students who demonstrate good workability skills are promoted out into offices. It is here that students become part of the adult work force. Many students are asked to continue working after high school graduation with the understanding that they will be enrolled in college and taking at least 9 units.

·        Integrating Workplace Skills into the School Curriculum

Economics and Taxes is a course that was developed and taught by academy teachers in concert with our FTB partners and the IRS. Economics and Taxes is a threefold course offered during the 2nd and 3rd quarter of each year. The first third of the course consists of classroom instruction in Economics, the second third consists of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance training, and the final third consists of service hours operating a VITA center here on campus for Johnson students and staff and for members of the community. Many of the service hours are put in on evenings and weekends.

IRS and FTB instructors provide the VITA training. After completing the training and passing the IRS exam, students are certified preparers of 1040EZ, 1040A, 540EZ, and 540A income tax returns. Students who become VITA certified are given preference for hiring at FTB.

·        CA Dept. of Education

The underpinnings of the JCA are provided by the CA Dept. of Education. The Johnson Corporate Academy receives approximately $80,0000 each year to fund the program. This money pays for field trips and other motivational activities, computer hardware and software, classroom supplies, and instructional materials. We are required to complete an extensive evaluation at the end of each school year to qualify for funding for the following year. This evaluation includes attendance data, class credits, and GPA data for all students and graduation data on seniors. It is a great tool for the Academy staff in that it crystallizes the year and shows us where we have been effective.

The Dept. also organizes an annual conference for all Partnership Academies in California. This conference provides JCA teachers and business partners with an opportunity to talk to other Academies and share ideas and strategies.

Typical 4 Year Planner

for JCA Students