College Crew

ATC's College Crew program is an advisory program designed to be the core of our school's high expectations and strong system of supports. The program is designed so that students keep the same College Crew advisor for their six years of attendance at ATC, allowing the teacher to establish strong relationships with their students and families. The College Crew advisor serves as mentor, advocate, and supporter for their student group while helping to prepare students for success in college and in life. The College Crew advisor also monitors their students' grades and attendance, reaching out to parents/guardians when additional support is needed.

ATC requires community service for every student, and those community service hours are also monitored through College Crew. 7th graders must earn 20 hours a year; 8th graders 30; and 9-12th graders 40 hours of community service each year. Here are ATC's guidelines for community service.

The overarching goals of College Crew are as follows:

7th Grade - School Orientation

Students will develop skills in getting to know and make friends with new peers from different schools.

Students will manage the transition to having seven teachers instead of one or two, including teacher expectations.

Students will understand the expectations for behavior and academic excellence at ATC.

Students will understand the impacts of social media on learning and behavior.

Students will develop skills to resolve conflict or to advocate for adult assistance.

Students will practice different roles in group activities throughout the year.

Students understand high school grades will contribute to GPA submitted to colleges and IM1 counts toward college credit as does Health (.5).

Students will give their best effort on the state-mandated NMSSA ELA and math exams as well as i-Ready interim assessments three times per year

Students will complete ten hours of community service each semester for a total of 20 hours for the year.

8th Grade - Leadership

Students will understand the roles and qualities of leadership and practice leadership skills.

Students will be able to learn, integrate, and model respect for self and others.

Students will practice navigating and honoring differences of opinions.

Students understand high school grades will contribute to GPA submitted to colleges and IM1 counts toward college credit.

Students will complete 15 hours of community service each semester for a total of 30 hours for the year.

Students will pass the state science test required in 8th grade.

Students will begin the process of investigating and learning about possible future careers and fields of study.

Students will give their best effort on the state-mandated NMSSA ELA and math exams as well as i-Ready interim assessments three times per year.

9th Grade - Freshman Seminar

Students will understand the expectations for behavior and academic excellence in high school at ATC.

Students will complete the PSAT 9 and i-Ready interim assessments three times per year.

Students will understand the role grades and involvement in school activities play in college applications (grades count!).

Students will develop skills to allow them to be successful in AP courses.

Students will manage/understand the balance of sports, school work, and social life.

Students will gain awareness of media literacy (including social media) and how to evaluate electronic resources (in alignment with 9th grade English).

Students will complete 20 hours of community service each semester for a total of 40 hours for the year.

Students will complete appropriate grade-level checklists on Scoir.

10th Grade - Standardized Test Preparation

Students will move through support materials in preparation for taking the PSAT

Students will complete the PSAT - 10 in 10th grade and i-Ready interim assessments three times per year.

Students know about the different standardized tests (e.g., AP, PSAT 10, PSAT, SAT, SAT II, ACT, SAT Subject Tests)

Students complete an ideal college profile before comparing actual colleges.

Students will keep their career inventory and resume updated.

Students are able to talk about college choices using appropriate terminology.

Students can independently read and evaluate college admissions criteria.

Students will understand the importance of financial literacy, building credit, and the impacts of spending vs. saving vs. investing.

Students will move toward a greater understanding of the impact of their decisions today on after high-school opportunities.

Students will complete 20 hours of community service each semester for a total of 40 hours for the year.

Students will complete appropriate grade-level checklists on Scoir.

11th Grade - College Success

Students will complete the PSAT in October and i-Ready interim assessments three times per year.

Students will continue their preparation for college assessments.

Students will take the SAT and are encouraged to take the ACT in the Spring.

Students will pass the state science 11th grade test.

Students will actively investigate post-secondary education possibilities and institutions using tools such as Scoir and LevelAll

Complete practice writing and forms for college applications, including the Common Application (“Common App”) essay.

Students will construct their application strategy.

Students will keep their career inventory and resume updated.

Students will maintain a GPA that is in concordance with the best of their ability and their long-term college goals.

Students will complete 20 hours of community service each semester for a total of 40 hours for the year.

Students will complete appropriate grade-level checklists on Scoir.

12th Grade - Senior Seminar

Students will manage the process of applying to at least four institutions of higher learning.

Students will move through the process of requesting letters of recommendations in support of their college and scholarship applications.

Students will compose college and scholarship essays.

Students will investigate the availability of scholarships and apply as applicable.

Students will work with their families to complete the FAFSA.

Students will process the emotional aspects of change in moving on after high school.

Students will understand the impacts of and manage their susceptibility to senioritis.

Students will learn about proactive ways to manage college roommate relations.

Students will investigate the various ways to finance post-secondary education.

Students will discuss the importance of personal ethics and safety in their transition to adult decision-making in college.

Students will complete i-Ready interim assessments three times per year.

Students will complete 20 hours of community service each semester for a total of 40 hours for the year.

Students will complete appropriate grade-level checklists on Scoir.

Additionally, ATC College Crew Advisors work to strengthen crucial social emotional learning competencies that students will need to be successful in school and in life. The CASEL framework outlines these core competencies below.

Self-Awareness

Recognizing emotions and their effect on behavior

Students will monitor their own behavior to actively promote a respectful learning comunity at ATC.

Students understand that the way in which they communicate has an effect on the quality of their interactions.

Students will move toward becoming confident and effective public speakers.

Students will become comfortable using Naviance and Scoir assessments to reflect on strengths and interests.

Self-Managment

Regulating emotions, thoughts, and behaviors; managing stress, setting goals, and staying motivated

Students will demonstrate the skills necessary to manage and move through adversity.

Students have skills of respectful self-advocacy and will access support resources as needed. This includes monitoring PowerSchool and signing up for after-school support as needed.

Students continually develop improving study habits and learning techniques.

Students understand the importance of organization and demonstrate successful habits of organization.

Students will actively pursue their areas of interest and discuss their aspirational dreams with their parents, teachers, and peers.

Social Awareness

Empathizing and understanding the views of others, including those of other cultures or backgrounds

Students understand that ATC has a college-going culture of high expectations with high support.

Students work actively to welcome and support students new to ATC.

Students understand how different cultures and perspectives contribute to ATC and the broader community.

Students understand that we are collectively responsible for this space -- socially, emotionally, academically, physically, etc.

Students proactively work to create a culture of inculsivity and safety.

Relationship Skills

Developing positive relationships with diverse groups and individuals; communicating clearly and cooperating with others

Students learn to work collaboratively in groups through understanding group roles and group norms.

Students will aspire to know the names of peers in their classes, grade levels, beyond.

Students will be engaged in the community of ATC beyond the classroom. Suggestions include clubs, sports teams, peer tutoring, translation support, fundraising events, or community events.

The College Crew process will involve parents and help them understand the parent role in preparing the students for college.

Responsible Decision-Making

Making constructive decisions in social situations based on ethics, safety, and social norms

Students will each experience meaningful leadership opportunities at ATC.

Students understand the relevance of punctual attendance and its impact on learning.

Students will make decisions based on ethical and safety considerations.