Cocheco Arts and Technology Academy (CATA) of Barrington, NH is an innovative arts-based college preparatory charter high school with the mission “…to provide excellence in secondary education, in core academics and performing arts, fine arts and technology related to the arts.”

History

• Fall 2003 a formal design team began meeting (See minutes at www.catanh.org)
  
• January 2004 NH DOE awarded CATA Pre-Charter Planning grant
  
• February 2004 CATA charter submitted to NH DOE
  
• May 19, 2004 CATA charter approved unanimously by NH DOE
  
• January 2005 CATA opened in the Bell Center in Dover, NH
  
• September 2006 CATA moved to present space in Barrington, NH
  
  

“The State Board motion to accept the CATA charter was made by former Dover mayor William Boc, who said he was impressed by the community support for this application, especially among members of the educational community.” Dover Community News, 5/28/04

What has CATA been doing??

Innovations

PEPS: 100% of students created Personal Education Plans (PEP) in 2005-2006. With parental and teacher input students created their own Personal Education Plans (PEP) that detailed their own academic, behavioral and social goals. Students considered their own creative interests and how those could be incorporated into core subjects. College and career goals were drafted. PEPs will be working documents to be reviewed and revised.

Portfolios: 100% of students created Portfolios. Student-created portfolios assemble in one place student chosen “best work”. This can be work that a student is proud of, something the student has improved upon or an example of how a DOE standard was met.

Independent Studies (IS): All students are eligible to participate in an Independent Study. Through IS students can receive credit for work done outside the classroom with a mentor. Motivated students create educational goals and measurable objectives for programs outside current CATA offerings. Examples have included study of Japanese, musical recording, dancing, and theatre.

Assessment

NHEIAP

NHEIAP testing has been completed and CATA staff will be examining those results with students.

Progress Towards Standards (PTS)

With assistance of Measured Progress, the assessment Progress Towards Standards was completed by 10th grade students in 2005. Seventy percent (70%) of the students achieved at or above Proficient in Reading; 51% in Math.

CATA Numeric Rubric

In order to receive course credit CATA requires an overall numeric score of 3 or above on Content & Demonstration of Knowledge and at least 3 other areas. In the 2005-2006 school year 100% achieved the rubric for English; 84% for Math; and 89% for Science.

Alternative Assessment

In keeping with CATA’s charter, alternative assessment is alive and well in all classes. Content competencies have been demonstrated through projects, videos, podcasts, drawing, theatre, etc. I love the uniqueness of CATA, the out-of the box thinking; the “can-do attitude” students are involved in school life; they are respected. Teachers are talented and creative, providing wonderful models of lifelong learning to students. –Fran Chickering, CATA Parent

Community Involvement

Attendance:

• Theatre productions such as “Peter Pan”, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”, “Poetry & Prose of Edgar Allen Poe”, “Hamlet”.
  
• Observation of court at Strafford County Courthouse
  
• Visit to Strafford County Correctional Facility
  
  

Active Participation:

• Earth Day 2005: cleanup at Odiorne Point
  
• Dover Poetry Hoot
  
• Fundraiser for people touched by Hurricane Katrina
  
• Press conference for National Charter School Week in Concord in May 2005
  
• Earth Day 2006: cleanup at Henry Law Park
  
• 9 students auditioning for All State Band, Chorus, or Orchestra in November 2006
  
• Pinwheels for Peace in September 2006
  
  

Extracurricular activities:

• Jazz Workshop
  
• Photo Club
  
• Student Government
  
• Talent Show
  
• School Newspaper – CATA Reporter
  
• Drama Club
  
• Dances – Halloween, Valentines, Superhero
  
  

Cocheco Arts and Technology Academy
37 A Province Lane
Barrington, NH 03825
603-664-9671
www.catanh.org

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