Northwoods Community Secondary School
Encyclopedia
Northwoods Community Secondary School (NCSS) is an American charter school
in Rhinelander, Wisconsin
. Founded in 2003, the school offers a project-based curriculum.
In 2010, the Rhinelander School District had proposed that Northwoods Community Secondary School along with Rhinelander Environmental Stewardship Academy (RESA) be moved to Central Elementary or Rhinelander High School
to meet budget cuts. That referendum passed, and NCSS is still open. However, in 2011 RESA was moved to NCSS because enrollment had significantly decreased and the head teacher had resigned.
, as an alternative to lecture-based instruction. Students are required to develop their own projects in order to meet the academic requirements of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
. The students work at their own pace to complete their work. Math and language arts seminars are held twice weekly. Students receive credits based on performance rather than grades
. Students are require to earn seven credits per year (700 hours of work, plus 25 hours of community service and 50 hours of physical education).
.
members organize parties, project showcase nights, and help create rules and policies for the school. The council also oversees disciplinary action through the 'Red Slip' documentation of consequences for misbehavior and requires a misbehaving student to apologize and correct any wrong-doing.
contributed $5,000 for Operation Clean Up; Public Service: $1,000; Wal-Mart contributed $1,000. Adviser Darlene Machten won $1,000 from Office Max in the 2008-2009 School year. James Jarvis won the Best Teacher from Wal-Mart
in the second semester of the same year.NCSS has been recognized as a model school through the Edvisions Foundation.
Kristin Larsen was given Teacher of the Month award, by the then 100.1 WRHN
radio station in 2009. NCSS was recognized in 2008 as class of the week by WAOW Newsline 9.
Charter school
Charter schools are primary or secondary schools that receive public money but are not subject to some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools in exchange for some type of accountability for producing certain results, which are set forth in each school's charter...
in Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Rhinelander is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, Wisconsin, United States. Its population was 7,735 at the 2000 census.-Claim to fame:...
. Founded in 2003, the school offers a project-based curriculum.
In 2010, the Rhinelander School District had proposed that Northwoods Community Secondary School along with Rhinelander Environmental Stewardship Academy (RESA) be moved to Central Elementary or Rhinelander High School
Rhinelander High School
Rhinelander High School, abbreviated RHS, is a high school in Rhinelander, Oneida County, Wisconsin USA. As of the 2007-08 school year, it had a student population of 1,091...
to meet budget cuts. That referendum passed, and NCSS is still open. However, in 2011 RESA was moved to NCSS because enrollment had significantly decreased and the head teacher had resigned.
Curriculum
Northwoods Community Secondary School offers public enrollment to approximately 90 students from 6th to 12th grade. The curriculum is independent project-based learningProject-based learning
Project-based learning, or PBL, is the use of in-depth and rigorous classroom projects to facilitate learning and assess student competence . Students use technology and inquiry to respond to a complex issue, problem or challenge...
, as an alternative to lecture-based instruction. Students are required to develop their own projects in order to meet the academic requirements of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is the state education agency of Wisconsin. It is headquartered in Madison....
. The students work at their own pace to complete their work. Math and language arts seminars are held twice weekly. Students receive credits based on performance rather than grades
Grade (education)
Grades are standardized measurements of varying levels of comprehension within a subject area. Grades can be assigned in letters , as a range , as a number out of a possible total , as descriptors , in percentages, or, as is common in some post-secondary...
. Students are require to earn seven credits per year (700 hours of work, plus 25 hours of community service and 50 hours of physical education).
Extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities for NCSS students include skating, basketball, softball, and soccer. Additionally, students may participate in any activity offered to the Rhinelander School DistrictRhinelander School District
The School District of Rhinelander is located in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Approximately 2,800 students are educated in this school district. In 2005 a referendum to keep three local schools open failed, combining fourth and fifth grade students into one intermediate school and all of the...
.
Student council
NCSS's student councilStudent council
Student council is a curricular or extra-curricular activity for students within elementary and secondary schools around the world. Present in most public and private K-12 school systems across the United States, Canada and Australia these bodies are alternatively entitled student council, student...
members organize parties, project showcase nights, and help create rules and policies for the school. The council also oversees disciplinary action through the 'Red Slip' documentation of consequences for misbehavior and requires a misbehaving student to apologize and correct any wrong-doing.
Community service
Each NCSS Student is required to perform 25 hours of community service per school year. Community service projects have included:- Grace Lodge: “Adopt a Grand Parent”
- Operation Clean Up, or "OCU", where students rake and snow shovel for the neighboring houses
- Working at the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry
- Working at St. Joe's Thrift Shop
- MuralMuralA mural is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface. A particularly distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture.-History:Murals of...
painting - Senior Center: Helping the elderly
- Contributing to the Rhinelander animal shelter
- Department of Natural ResourcesDepartment of Natural ResourcesMany sub-national governments have a Department of Natural Resources or similarly named organization:Australia*Queensland Department of Natural Resources and MinesCanada*Natural Resources Canada*New Brunswick**New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources...
: Cleaning the river front - City HallCity hallIn local government, a city hall, town hall or a municipal building or civic centre, is the chief administrative building of a city...
: Archive organizing - PoetryPoetryPoetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
contest for Carlson’s Funeral Home - Rhinelander Historical House Tours during the Courthouse Centennial Celebration
- Community garden
- Veterans DayVeterans DayVeterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark...
program - Senior (citizen) Prom with the Kids In Need FoundationKids In Need FoundationThe Kids In Need Foundation is an American national 501 charity that provides school supplies and grants to assist in children's education.- School Box Program :...
- Tree Haven: “A Tree for Tomorrow”
Recognition
Cellular OneCellular One
Cellular One is the trademarked brand name used by several cellular service providers in the United States and Bermuda. The brand was sold to Trilogy Partners by AT&T in 2008 shortly after AT&T had completed its acquisition of Dobson Communications...
contributed $5,000 for Operation Clean Up; Public Service: $1,000; Wal-Mart contributed $1,000. Adviser Darlene Machten won $1,000 from Office Max in the 2008-2009 School year. James Jarvis won the Best Teacher from Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
in the second semester of the same year.NCSS has been recognized as a model school through the Edvisions Foundation.
Kristin Larsen was given Teacher of the Month award, by the then 100.1 WRHN
WRHN
WRHN is a radio station broadcasting a adult hits music format. Licensed to Rhinelander, Wisconsin, USA, the station is currently owned by NRG Media and features programing from Fox News Radio....
radio station in 2009. NCSS was recognized in 2008 as class of the week by WAOW Newsline 9.