The Academic Choice Web Site Has Moved
The new Academic Choice web site is at http://bhsac.com/. This site contains historical information only.
Welcome To Academic Choice
To those of you who are new to BHS and Academic Choice in the 2011-2012 school year, WELCOME!
What's New?
- AC Spring Meeting: Wednesday May 23 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the BHS Library
- AC Commencement: Saturday June 9 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm in the BHS Community Theatre. Dress is Dressy Casual. Free Sashes and Pins will be handed out to all participating students. Please invite your relatives and friends. There will be plenty of room!
We need you!
Academic Choice is looking for parents to fill a number of volunteer positions. Now more than ever, we also need your financial support, as we strive to meet the growing needs of our teachers and students. More->
Keeping up-to-date with BHS & Academic Choice
The best way to keep up to date on AC and BHS news and events is by subscribing to the Academic Choice and Berkeley High e-lists. To subscribe to the AC e-list, send an e-mail to: academicchoice-request@lists.berkeleypta.org with the word “subscribe” in the subject line.
Subscribe to the Berkeley High e-tree by sending an e-mail to bhs-request@lmi.net with the word “subscribe” in the subject line.
Your donations at work
To make a contribution of financial support to the AC program, please click here then click on the "donate" button under the PayPal logo. Be sure to write "Academic Choice" in the designation field so that BHSDG will direct your contribution to the AC program.
About AC
Academic Choice (AC) is continuing to develop as its own small learning community. Our enrollment is about 1400 students this academic year, and this will be the first year that all four years of students have selected the AC program. A unique feature in Academic Choice is the coring of 9th and 10th grade English and History. This allows smaller groups of students to remain together for these two classes and for teachers to coordinate curriculum and share students to promote a more personalized experience. Read more about AC->
AC Equity Proposal (2010-2012), Adopted Spring 2010, This proposal was drafted in November 2009 and lays out a rationale and method to promote equitable instruction, personalization, and a college preparatory culture in Academic Choice. Drafted by 2009/2010 AC lead teachers Amanda Green and Sherene Randle (no longer at BHS) and Former AC VP Maggie Heredia Peltz (no longer at BHS).
Click here for AC Equity Proposal in English
Click here for AC Equity Proposal in Spanish
AC e-tree The best way to keep up-to-date on AC news is to subscribe to the Academic Choice e-tree. More ->
Student support services BHS offers a variety of student support services, including teacher tutorials in all subjects, study groups, and writing tutors--all available free of charge to BHS students from 3:30-6:00 pm. More->
AC 2011-2012 Counselors
Anthony Smith: Last names beginning with A – Ho anthonysmith@berkeley.net
Room D149 (main admin building), 644-6714
Brenda Kitagawa:
Last names beginning with Hu-Ro
brendakitagawa@berkeley.net
Room D146 (main admin building), 644-4579
Elisabeth Sandberg:
Last names beginning with Ru-Sr
Elisabethsandberg@berkeley.net
Romm D142, 644-6193
Xia Lee: Last names beginning with T-Wa
xia_lee@berkeley.k12.ca.us
Romm D145, 644-4573
Xia Lee:
Last names beginning with St-To
xialee@berkeley.net
Room D145 (main admin building), 644-4573
Dwayne Byndloss:
Last names beginning with Tr-Z
dwaynebyndloss@berkeley.net
Romm H215, 644-8987
AC Parent Leadership
Lawrence Grown (Parent Coordinator)
Hilary Hoynes (Fundraising)
Olga Volodina (Treasurer)
Barbara Anscher (Student Support Liaison)
Mary Engle (Student Leadership, Teacher/Admin Liason 2011-12)
Francesca Verdier (Secretary)
Susanna Moore (newly elected to the ACAC)
Lenore Goldman (ACAC Alternate)
Saira Shamji-Rahim (ACAC Alternate)
webmaster (Web coordinator)
Please contact any of the above members of the AC Advisory Council with your questions or concerns. More about AC governance->
AC and BHS Acronyms
Academic Choice Advisory Council (ACAC) is the parent teacher student association for AC, and is comprised of 5 elected parents, 5 teachers, and 5 students. These elections are in the Spring. The ACAC meets monthly to plan current events, and to discuss improvements to the program.
Academic Choice Parent Leadership Council (ACPLC) is an extended parent body of sub-committee members and chairs, helping with events, publicity, fundraising, etc. Members provide the parent reps on the ACAC a broader view.
Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) is the BHS school-wide organization aiming to improve the high school experience for everyone.
Berkeley Schools Excellence Project (BSEP) makes decisions on how substantial funds from the parcel tax are allocated to support academic and enrichment programs.
BSEP Planning and Oversight Committee (P&O) oversees the BSEP committees for all of the schools in the Berkeley Unified School District. (BUSD)
School Site Committee (SSC) makes decisions about BHS policy, operations, and curriculum.
Berkeley High School Development Group (BHSDG) is the primary fundraising organization for Berkeley High. They review proposals and give teachers and students grants for special projects. Please designate "AC" when you give to the Development Group.
