Frequently Asked Questions:
Where are your schools located?
Answer: New Summit School; Jackson, Mississippi, North New Summit School; Greenwood, Mississippi (Delta),
New Summit Academy; Costa Rico
Is New Learning Resources School District fully accredited?
Answer: New Learning Resources School District was recently awarded District Accreditation through AdvancED: Southern Association for Colleges and Schools, the first in its category.
What type of technology do you offer the students?
Answer: All Classrooms in the District are equipped with at least one multimedia computer loaded with appropriate software. All computers are connected to the internet via network connection and protected with appropriate software to ensure safety to the machine and the student. Each school is equipped with at least one computer lab. Several sites have access to a mobile lab, smart-boards or interactive whiteboards. Teachers are provided school accounts and technology training; as well as, storage space on school servers for their use. Each teacher is required to demonstrate computer competency as a component of their evaluation. Each school employs technology specialists.
What makes this school district unique from other school districts?
Answer: New Learning Resources School District is a unique educational service that strives to customize the educational delivery to the individual. While the schools have a traditional classroom setting our teacher-student ratio is keep to a low population per class, usually no more than ten students to one teacher. This allows the instructor while teaching to the group to meet the needs of each individual by instructional planning, classroom expectations, homework assignments and testing.
What are the strengths and advantages of New Learning Resources School District?
Answer: New Learning Resources educators and staff, Inclusion of Technology in student curriculum, individualized services, community partnerships, reputation, and parental involvement.
The school district also offers an open entry school policy which simply means that we enroll students ongoing throughout the school year. For example, students transfer from other surrounding schools for many reasons; perhaps to move ahead and graduate early, possibly need more educational assistance or parents simply like our small environment.
How does the school district maintain a well qualified staff?
Answer: New Learning Resources School District staff is comprised of highly qualified highly trained, caring individuals who hold Doctorates, Specialists, Masters and BS/BA degrees in the necessary course disciplines that we offer. While their credentials are many, even more outstanding are their hearts which are full of genuine compassion for teaching and guiding our students academically, socially and emotionally. The district has 55 certified and 23 support staff members. An ongoing staff development program keeps staff member current on educational trends, teaching strategies, and practices needed to provide meaningful educational opportunities for students.
Staff plan professional development where district data on student learning, accommodation effectiveness, classroom innovation best practices and other pertinent data is communicated. Teachers are included in the Weekly Progress Report review process so that any additional accommodations, changes to the learning plan, or modifications are communicated directly to them. Teachers play an active role in the process and are encouraged to provide input. Additionally, district staff participates in review of the District Accommodation Plan (504) at minimum 3 times per year and are included in the modification process.
What additional services does New Learning Resources School District offer?
Answer: New Learning Resources School District offers a summer school program that provides opportunities for students to have choices in taking classes to get ahead as well as remediation. Summer school is often a costly endeavor for schools as they may have only one or two students who need a particular class during the summer; therefore those students are referred to New Summit as other students are attending for that same class from several different schools. We are appreciative of the confidence that our neighboring schools have in us to provide this summer school learning experience for their students.
New learning Resources School District also provides an online high school program which serves students locally as well as across the nation. Students can come on site at New Summit School and take classes at their own space or may enroll in our online classes through other educational service providers who use our online program. We have two diploma tracks, the standard university track or the career track.
What can you offer my child if he/she has a learning difference or learning disability?
Answer: New Learning Resources School District provides staff instructional support to meet the needs of the learning difference or learning disabled student. Professional development and training is provided, with special emphasis given to areas such as: ADD/ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome, Dyslexia, and Autism. Additionally, New Learning Resources continually researches learning tools that may be implemented in the classroom to enhance student success. For example, schools currently use Scottish Rites Dyslexia Program, My Skills Tutor, and Essential Learning Systems (all multimedia or technology based programs). Student achievement is monitored through the uses of Weekly Progress Reports (WPR). WPRs are used as a reporting instrument for all stakeholders involved in student success.
What efforts does the school district do to provide a safe and secure learning environment
for the students?
Answer: The district has developed a Security and Procedures Manuel which provides policies and procedures to ensure a safe and healthful school environment. Additionally, Alert Now is an email and phone alert system that warns of any warnings, closings, activities, or emergencies. The district inspects all facilities to ensure that any unsafe conditions are corrected. The district utilizes community partnerships and contracted professionals to provide behavioral specialists who conduct threat assessments and provide interventions for students whose behavior is detrimental to their academic success or is detrimental to a climate conducive to learning. The local mental health center also provides counseling services to students and their families.
In an effort to provide a safe and secure environment, a state of the art camera system provides full-time video surveillance on all school buses and on the campuses of New Learning Resource School.
