"I like being able to work at my own pace. I don't get confused as much as I used to at my old school."
William Shakespeare, Vertus student
EXTENDED LEARNING TIME
With a year-round calendar of 204 instructional days (24 more than a traditional school) and a 7.5-hour day (an hour more than a traditional school), Vertus maximizes learning time. Over four years, Vertus students receive more than a year of additional time in school. Time is our students' most precious asset, especially for those of our young men who have struggled in school.
MOVE AT YOUR OWN PACE
Academic coursework takes places in Learning Labs using a program called Edgenuity, which delivers rigorous Common Core-aligned instruction in an online format. All students take the NWEA MAP Test when they arrive at Vertus. Our teachers use the results of that test to place our young men in courses that meet them where they are. All of our courses earn high school credit and students move at the pace that is right for them.
MASTERY-BASED LEARNING
In a traditional school, classes move at their own pace throughout the year. Students who fail to master the material must either seek additional help or fall further behind as the course advances. At Vertus, students do not advance to their next lesson in their Edgenuity classes until they have earned 80% or higher on the assessments that go with it. At Vertus, your classes don't move ahead without you. You set the pace and you master the content.
TAKE REGENTS EXAMS WHEN YOU'RE READY
In keeping with our mastery-based approach, students do not take Regents exams until they have done prep work with our teachers and taken multiple practice tests. When our teachers are confident they can pass, students take the exam at one of three yearly administrations (January, June, and August). So far, Vertus students who have taken Regents exams have a 100% pass rate.
STAFF SUPPORT: TEACHERS, PRECEPTORS, AND LAB MANAGERS
Preceptors stay with their Learning Teams throughout the day, offering academic support and coaching in the Learning Labs as needed. Our teachers split their time between Learning Labs and Workshops, where they work with small groups of students to support them on challenging concepts or difficult assignments. Our three Lab Managers are each responsible for ensuring a quiet and productive atmosphere in one of our three Learning Labs.
SPECIAL EDUCATION AND 504 PLANS
Vertus welcomes students with IEPs and 504 plans. We have three full-time certified Special Ed teachers and a Special Ed Coordinator.
