SPECIALTY PROGRAMS

HONORS AND ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM

Students who are prepared to challenge themselves through accelerated learning are encouraged to enroll in one or more Honors or Advanced Placement courses. The College Board’s Advanced Placement program gives students the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school through successful performance on culminating Advanced Placement examinations.

A complete listing of Honors and Advanced Placement courses offered at Florin High School is contained in the course catalog. Students interested in enrolling in Honors or Advanced Placement courses should see their counselor for additional information.

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)

The AVID Program is a four-year college-preparatory system designed for students who are underrepresented on college campuses and who have academic potential. The goals of the program are to provide academic instruction and other support to students to pre-pare them for four-year college and university eligibility, to provide students with college-level entry skills, and to motivate students to pursue college education.

AVID helps empower students to succeed. Students must apply to participate in the AVID Program. Application may be obtained by contacting the AVID Coordinator.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING PROGRAM

The ELL Program is a multi-leveled program meeting the needs of the “newcomer” to the mainstream student. Classes in English and social science are cored similar to the college prep program. Special classes in science and mathematics are available to students who are in the beginning stages of acquiring and learning English. College/Career Writing and Writing to Discuss/Debate classes are available for students who are more proficient in writing, computers, and science. For the ELL student who is ready to enter the mainstream college prep program, Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English (SDAIE) is also available.

The SDAIE pro-gram focuses on delivery strategies which provide instructional scaffolding in order to make the curriculum comprehensible and ensure student success. SDAIE courses include English 9-12, World Geography, World History, U.S. History, and Government/Economics, as well as cooperative classes in Biology.

For more information, contact the Counseling Center.

AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY

Agriculture---California’s largest industry employing more than one in three workers in the state, has a wealth of career opportunities available to the interested student. The Agriculture Technology Academy has been developed to prepare students for potential careers in the field of agriculture. Currently, within the Agriculture Technology Academy, six career pathways exist: Agriculture Science, Agriculture Mechanics, Floriculture, Animal Science, Agriculture Business and Outdoor Recreation.

The Agriculture Technology Academy has three major components: the classroom, where the student is exposed to agriculture curriculum; the FFA, which familiarizes the student with leadership building activities; and the supervised agriculture experience program, which allows students to participate in authentic workplace simulations.

Students involved in the program are exposed to agriculture through field trips, guest speakers, career development events, labs and work based learning activities.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY

The Information Technology (IT) Academy is a “school-within-a-school” 3 year program. Students are recruited as freshman and then formally enter the academy as sophomores and remain members through their senior year. All IT Academy students are required to take three years of IT Academy pathway courses. Academy students represent a cross-section of the Florin High School student body.

Students are exposed to industry sector workplaces, college visits and mentoring that are designed to maximize their potential for both college and technical career readiness. The mission of the Information Technology Academy is based on a commitment to lifelong learning and the application of technology skills for continuous improvement.

Students develop the ability to apply technology (coding & programming languages) and critical thinking skills for future success in college and the workplace. Additional information is available from the Counseling Center.

LAW ACADEMY

LAW is the newest academy at Florin High School. From lawyers to police officers to politicians, LAW Academy introduces students to hundreds of jobs in the legal profession and gives them the academic and professional skills to acquire high-paying, rewarding careers in the future. Joining the LAW Academy is like joining a large family that is a "school-within-a-school". Students are enrolled in special academy classes and enjoy the numerous social events and team-building activities that the academy provides.

LAW students benefit from job shadowing, mentoring and internships, and they love the field trip opportunities to places like the Sacramento Superior Courthouse, FBI Sacramento, and Mc George School of Law.