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El Camino Real Charter High School

Program Information

El Camino Real Charter High School (ECRCHS) is an independent charter high school located in Woodland Hills. The school first opened its doors in 1969 and currently serves approximately 3600 students. Throughout its history, ECRCHS has gained a reputation of excellence in academics, athletics, the arts, and various other student programs.

 

In 2013, ECRCHS launched its Independent Study Program (ISP) in order to continue and augment the commitment to creating a unique environment where diverse learning styles are celebrated and cultivated. This year, the ISP moved to ECRCHS' North Campus in neighboring West Hills (7401 Shoup Ave.).

 

For the non-traditional student, ECRCHS' ISP provides an opportunity to enjoy the resources of a comprehensive high school, but with an academic program tailored to the individual student.

 

The same high academic standards and expectation of all ECRCHS classrooms are in place for each ISP course. The program provides an alternative instructional strategy and not an alternative curriculum.

 

  • ISP offers flexibility to meet individual student needs, interests, and styles of learning.
  • All IS classes are taught by credentialed teachers that are part of the ECRCHS teaching staff.
  • ISP students work independently, according to a written agreement and under the general supervision of a credentialed teacher or teachers.
  • Independent study can be used on a short-term or long-term basis.

 

Teachers and students utilize technology to enhance the learning experience, simultaneously allowing for more flexibility and personalization than a traditional classroom. The IPS' personalized learning management system allows for students to work at their specific pace through online modules to reach mastery and college readiness. Career Pathways are designed with community partners to foster post graduate interest and real-life experiences.

 

  • Students who graduate from the Independent Study program receive an ECRCHS diploma.
  • The same high academic standards and expectations of all ECRCHS classrooms are in place for each ISP course.
  • All standards-based academic courses comply with UC/CSU A-G requirements and focus on college preparedness, with the goal of preparing each student for success beyond high school.

 

ECRCHS' North Campus facility was recently renovated and re-imagined as a living learning space that can be used as a supportive teaching tool. In addition to the six traditional classrooms, there are three labs (one science lab, one flex lab, and one technology lab) which provide numerous options for students to meet individualized successes, a hallmark of independent study.

 

The North Campus includes an outdoor classroom which serves a both a restive learning space and an interactive ,hands-on learning experience with native plants, food producing trees ,and planter beds for students to conduct their own experiments.

 

Many of the structural and plan elements of the North Campus have been designed to allow the physical space to be integrated into the curriculum; from the water fountain with a built in bottle filler and counter to demonstrate the number of plastic bottles saved, to a day lighting system to show the environmental, educational, and social benefits of solar power, to electric vehicle charging stations with data capable of being integrated into math and science classes, to the asphalt cuts to enable onsite retention of rainwater and prevent storm water runoff. The North Campus is designed as an example of sustainability.