CURRICULUM
Dual Language and Citizenship
Mission Confluencia is a Dual Language program committed to cultivating active community members who are prepared to solve tomorrow's problems. Our curriculum reflects the fundamental belief that all Mission Confluencia students will be bilingual, conscious global citizens. All Mission Confluencia students are enrolled in a Dual Language program in which they will receive instruction in both English and Spanish every year. The school curriculum is organized to encourage collaboration with parents and local non-profit organizations such as San Antonio Youth Literacy, Avance, Project Learn to Read, San Antonio Public Library, Gemini Ink, and San Antonio Peace Center in order to identify culturally relevant texts. Additionally, in order to further help facilitate the development of conscious global citizens, students have access to every major newspaper and magazine as well as writings from local and international authors that reflect their backgrounds and interests. |
Role of the Teacher
Mission Confluencia teachers work to establish their role as an instructional facilitator for students. As an instructional facilitator, teachers help guide students toward mastery as well as in their efforts to identify issues within their community they would like to investigate. Ultimately with the support of teachers, students at Mission Confluencia are taught how to organize their time and materials. Students are taught how to speak in different settings and listen intently. Students are taught about their learning styles as well as how to read and write for various purposes. Teachers design curriculum that emphasizes empathy, compassion, and authentic real world problem solving. Teachers work in academic teams to develop interdisciplinary units that address student interest and inquiry. Additionally teams of teachers work to bring in influential leaders of local nonprofits, university professors, and public servants (politicians) to act as resources for students relevant to their units of study. All instructors have G/T certification as awarded by the state. In addition, all courses are taught with the Pre-AP, honors or College Board’s AP designation, when applicable. |
"Teachers work in academic teams to develop interdisciplinary units that address student interest and inquiry." |
AVIDsory
AVID’s Mission is to close the achievement gap in order to prepare all students, particularly students that are historically underrepresented in universities, for success in higher education. Why we have AVID at Mission Confluencia: We recognize that need to develop LIFE-LONG LEARNERS requires direct teaching and practice of a particular set of critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and study skills. When presented with a challenge, we want our students to think, to question, to listen, to speak and to make a plan of action and pursue that plan CON GANAS! |
Project-Based Learning
PBL is at the center of our teacher-designed units. In alignment with our interdisciplinary approach, students will be able to integrate knowledge from all their classes into thematic units. |
Assessment and Portfolio
Feedback is at the core of our approach and belief about assessment. Mission Confluencia students are also active participants in the development of rubrics and other assessment guidelines. Students receive feedback throughout the learning process from multiple audiences, often concluding units of study and investigation with an exhibition of work. Based on the cognitive development of the students, families as well as partners and the community at large will be invited to attend the exhibitions, and are encouraged to provide feedback.
Additionally, each student creates a ongoing portfolio of work as longitudinal “story” of their progress through their time at Mission Confluencia. Students are given the freedom to select the pieces of work they will submit along with an explanation outlining why it was selected and how their depth and breadth of the topic evolved through the process of its creation. From a young age, students engage in self assessment, and reflection. Through their reflections students are given the opportunity to reflect on their mastery as well as a what they learned about themselves by engaging in the experience.
Feedback is at the core of our approach and belief about assessment. Mission Confluencia students are also active participants in the development of rubrics and other assessment guidelines. Students receive feedback throughout the learning process from multiple audiences, often concluding units of study and investigation with an exhibition of work. Based on the cognitive development of the students, families as well as partners and the community at large will be invited to attend the exhibitions, and are encouraged to provide feedback.
Additionally, each student creates a ongoing portfolio of work as longitudinal “story” of their progress through their time at Mission Confluencia. Students are given the freedom to select the pieces of work they will submit along with an explanation outlining why it was selected and how their depth and breadth of the topic evolved through the process of its creation. From a young age, students engage in self assessment, and reflection. Through their reflections students are given the opportunity to reflect on their mastery as well as a what they learned about themselves by engaging in the experience.