Curriculum

Sheffield High School is pleased to offer various diploma options to meet the needs of its student population. Students may choose the Alabama High School Diploma with Honors Endorsement, Alabama High School Diploma with Advanced Academic Endorsement ("First Choice"), Alabama High School Diploma (Standard), Alabama High School Diploma with Credit Based Endorsement, Alabama Occupational Diploma, and Certificate of Attendance. 

The Honors, Advanced and Standard Diplomas are awarded to students who acquire the required credits (Carnegie units) in a defined program and also pass all sections of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. Students receiving the Alabama High School Diploma with Credit-Based Endorsement shall complete the prescribed credits, including at least one Career and Technical Education course, for the Alabama High School Diploma and pass three of the five sections of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam, including the mathematics and reading sections and one additional section. The Certificate of Attendance is awarded to students with disabilities who acquire the required credits (Carnegie units) for the Standard Diploma but fail to pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. The Alabama Occupational Diploma prepares students with disabilities for competitive employment.

SHS utilizes the block schedule which enables students to take eight classes each year. Technical classes are available at area vocational schools. Qualifying students may also attend the University of North Alabama and Northwest Shoals Community College in their dual enrollment/dual credit programs. In addition, we offer a "hybrid" learning experience where students can take courses and learn from online instructors through our ACCESS program.

A variety of electives including Latin, Spanish, Art, Band, Choral Music, Mass Communications, Theater Arts, and JROTC are available to SHS students.

Improving Student Achievement

Sheffield High School actively implements "Response to Instruction", or RTI. This program gives teachers the opportunity to identify standards that may need additional attention prior to moving on in the curriculum. Students are offered Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 instruction in an attempt to meet each student's instructional needs on a more personal level. The Student Support Team (SST) at SHS works with teachers to identify potential causes for students not achieving at optimal levels. The SST helps the classroom teacher strategically implement practical and research-based teaching strategies that would target the students' deficiencies with the intent of improving student achievement.  

An outstanding tutoring program is also provided for SHS students. Tutoring is available in all subject areas and is provided by faculty members, advanced students, UNA education major volunteers, and retired community volunteers.

We also have an Academic Enhancement schedule in place for our Seniors who have not passed portions of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. Our goal is to have 100% of our Senior Class to pass all five parts of the A.S.H.G.E. Those students receieve tutoring on test-taking skills as well as their regular academic subjects.

Scholarship Program

The administration, faculty, and staff of SHS take great pride in the fact that over 50% of our graduating seniors receive scholarships each year. The Class of 2011 received over $1.2 million in scholarship offers!

Goals

• To meet or exceed the minimum requirements for adequate yearly progress by the State Department of Education by reaching 13 of the 13 indicators on the State Report Card
• To actively engage 100% of the students in a challenging curriculum by research-based instructional strategies by increasing the graduation rate from 79% to at least 80%
• To assess, for continuous improvement, all available human, financial, and physical resources by meeting 90% or better of all of our action steps listed in our CIP
• To maintain a safe environment conducive for learning and instruction in well maintained facilities for our student body, faculty and staff.

Purpose and Direction

Sheffield City Schools and Sheffield High School

Motto: Success for Today, Preparation for Tomorrow, Learning for a Lifetime

Purpose:

The purpose of Sheffield City Schools is to provide all students with the skills to

successfully enter college, career training, or the work force and to create productive

citizens and life-long learners in a safe, rigorous, academic environment. Sheffield High School

wholeheartedly embraces and supports the system’s purpose by providing instruction focused on mastery

of appropriate college and/or career readiness benchmarks with the intent that all students will

successfully transition to each level within our school and beyond.

Direction:

These beliefs and core values provide direction for district decisions and actions:

• A climate for excellence in teaching, learning, and behavior is created and maintained by the belief in and frequent communication of high expectations for student learning and behavior, staff performance, ethical behavior, and professional practice.

• Students need differentiated, challenging, engaging academic instructional practices/strategies based on current research and grade level standards, with developmentally appropriate materials, current technology, and learning experiences delivered by highly qualified professionals, in an equitable and appropriate learning environment.

• Collaborative and continuous data-driven decision making, goal setting, and instructional adjustment, based on formal and informal assessment results, is necessary for optimum individual student achievement.

• Personal growth and learning in the areas of physical/mental/social/emotional health and the arts are necessary parts of student development.

• All stakeholders share the responsibility for students’ academic progress and contribute to their desire to be life-long learners.

• Provision of adequate financial, human, technological, and physical resources for optimum learning to occur is the responsibility of the district/school leadership including the provision of a safe, clean, nurturing and healthy environment to minimize distractions in the learning process.

• Students, staff, and all stakeholders must be treated fairly, with equity, and dignity, respecting cultural and individual differences and diversities.

• Visionary leadership at all levels is critical in order to continually improve performance and engage all stakeholders.

• The values of a democratic society and citizenship must be taught and reinforced with all students.

“Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve”

Sheffield High School