City Arts and Technology High School (CAT) emphasizes a strong student-centered focus, student-based inquiry, self-reflection, student exhibitions and portfolio defenses, and ongoing professional development for teachers. CAT holds students to high academic expectations by nurturing strong relationships with the students and coherent instructional approaches and expectations to help provide consistency for their students, many of whom had not previously experienced academic success.
“Our mission is to transform students’ lives by preparing them for success in college in life…and we believe the core to that is preparing first-generation students, often students of color…for success in college,” says principal Daniel Allen.
This report from the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education (SCOPE) explores how CAT is using student-centered approaches to learning to ensure that all students, especially those who are underserved, are college-ready upon graduation.