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Special Features of DCP Program
The DCP program recognizes that the school's target students need two things more than anything else:
a curriculum that builds college-ready skills and a school culture that takes their college aspirations seriously.
Culture and curriculum are deeply intertwined at DCP. The school's motto of Ganas, Orgullo, Comunidad
lies at the heart of all the school's programs and strategies.
School Day
Beyond the Classroom
School Values
Close-knit Community
Daily Schedule: The DCP school day runs from 8:45 am to 5pm and incorporates a block schedule
with 80-minute periods and a 70-minute tutorial.
Tutorial: During daily tutorial, students work on homework, learn how to ask for help,
work in groups, and seek help from their teachers. Community volunteers provide students with one-on-one
assistance, and each tutorial is led by a teacher who checks
students' homework progress, grades,
and assists with any academic difficulties.
Sustained Silent Reading (SSR): The SSR program at DCP is designed to promote a culture of reading and literacy. For 30 minutes, five days a week, 9th and 10th graders read a book of their choice and at a comfortable reading level. SSR is an integral part of DCP's efforts to help students become fluent, confident readers as they prepare for the demanding reading expectations of college curriculum.
Assembly: DCP holds a weekly assembly that brings the whole school community
together. Assembly begins and concludes with a rhythmic clap borrowed from Cesar Chavez-UFW marches. Assembly is a space
for students and teachers to share work from the classroom,
recognize academic excellence, perform for the whole school community, and
celebrate together.
Office Hours: Once a week during office hours, students can meet with
teachers about academic issues without the constraints or distractions often present at other times in the school day.
Sports/Activities: DCP offers a wide variety of sports to its students, from conventional sports such as soccer, basketball and volleyball to more unique opportunities such as crew, and ultimate frisbee. Students interested in other types of activities can choose from a variety of clubs and groups, including MEChA, newspaper, leadership, Robotics and others.
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Exhibitions: Exhibitions exist to present DCP students
with opportunities to obtain authentic audiences for their work. Whether
students are dancing ballet at assembly, curating original artwork for "art night," or debating the merits of
technology, they are asked to present and discuss their
knowledge. All DCP classes offer at least one exhibition per
year.
Shakespeare Festival: Every year, English I students compete to
be selected for the trip, with the winners selected on the basis of written work, dramatic performances, and participation
at community events. Students who attend this trip stay in a
hostel or on the campus of Southern Oregon University and attend
plays and workshops through the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
College Trips: Once a year, all DCP students have the opportunity to visit university campuses. All freshman and
sophomores visit a local university with the goals of exposure and motivation. Juniors take the next step on the College
Trip, which is a statewide tour of four-year schools, Chico to Los Angeles, that range in size and
atmosphere. Finally,
the Senior Fall Trip is by invitation only for students with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
On this trip, seniors are invited to look
at more selective schools in the UC, CSU and private systems. In the past, the tour has included East Coast schools
as well as schools as far south as San Diego.
Field Trips: DCP prides itself on providing opportunities for a broad spectrum of life experiences through field trips. Above and beyond the ongoing visits to college campuses, a typical year includes a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium as well as various San Jose cultural and educational centers, including the San Jose Repertory Theater, the Tech Museum of Innovation, the San Jose Museum of Art, and MACLA, a Latino arts center.
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Ganas, Orgullo, Comunidad: DCP students are the first in their families to succeed in college; the hurdles they
face are as much cultural as academic. DCP's values of Ganas (Desire), Orgullo (Pride), and Comunidad
(Community) -and the way they infuse all
aspects of the school program- provide graduates with the
emotional strength, personal discipline, and self-confidence
they need in their roles as community pioneers.
Code of Conduct: DCP enforces a strict code of conduct which includes a mandatory school uniform and zero-tolerance
of drugs, alcohol and violence.
Professionalism: There is a significant emphasis on
helping students build the interpersonal skills to allow them to move
comfortably into new and unfamiliar worlds in college and work. This preparation begins with simple steps--learning how to
shake hands and make eye contact when meeting someone new--and continues all through high school with training in public
speaking, effective collaboration, and interview skills.
College Acceptance: In order to graduate, all DCP students must be accepted to a four-year college and meet the
UC/CSU a-g course requirements. The goal of college success for all unifies students, families, and staff, and energizes
every part of the DCP program.
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Parent Participation: DCP staff and parents collaborate to ensure that students succeed academically, promote
student performance and school accountability. Parents participate in the DCP Discipline Committee, attend classes
related to college readiness, and participate in academic events, school assemblies and community fieldtrips.
Class size: The close relationship between teachers and students is necessary for the success of DCP's academic program.
Class size -especially in the early years and in remedial classes -is kept very small, with an overall student- teacher
ratio of 20-1 schoolwide. Small class sizes enable teachers to personalize their teaching and gain a deeper understanding
of the particular strengths and weaknesses of their students.
College Lab: The College Lab is the on-campus hub for the intensive work of students and parents as they move through
the college application process. An average day in the Lab sees students working on applications, listening to a presentation
by a college representative, and sitting down with parents and DCP's College Counselor to work through financial
or family issues. Also working out of the Lab is the College Outreach Coordinator, who works closely with alumni
to ensure they are getting support to overcome obstacles once in college.
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