| In the fall of 2002, Johnson High School began developing several smaller learning communities. This is part of a larger effort in the Saint Paul Public Schools known as the “Blueprint for Better High Schools.” The central requirements of the smaller learning communities include setting high standards for all students, building relationships between students and adults, and connecting high school to the future. While students will continue to enjoy the benefits of a comprehensive high school, they will be encouraged to develop a personal plan of study determined by an analysis of interests, skills, strengths, and talents.
The Johnson Senior High School administration and staff has chosen to create eight academies and has accepted $1.1 million in grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education to make this transformation possible. Seven smaller learning communities will open in the fall of 2003. These seven academies will serve sophomore students who have successfully completed their first year of high school in Johnson's Freshman FOCUS Academy which opened last fall. Students in all academies will investigate selected career opportunities through company tours, job shadowing, mentoring, internships and the Senior Project. The Class of 2006 will be the first graduating class to have the Senior Project as a graduation requirement. The Senior Project will be the culmination of the student’s high school experiences. Each student will choose a topic, prepare a written paper, and deliver an oral presentation before a panel of experts with knowledge in the chosen area. The skills necessary to complete a Senior Project will be taught during the freshman, sophomore, and junior years.
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