Students at Community High School participate in a variety of hands-on learning experiences in all of their classes. The entire school recently had the opportunity to make history come alive by meeting Holocaust survivor Irving Roth. The student leadership class fundraised the money to bring him here. Students also partake in a wide variety of science experiments and kinesthetic classroom learning experiences.

Above: Students perform a first dissection in biology class.

Above: Students use a small fan to propel a boat that he made while their teacher times the experiment.

Above: Students mix a solution in Chemistry class.

Students from Mr. Shanafelt's Geometry class joined the Spitfire newspaper staff to take part in a unique international experience last year. The students used Mr. Shanafelt's new technology to take part in a web conference with students from England, France, and Germany. The school contacted principal Craig Ross, asking us to be a part of an on-going international diversity project. More web meetings will occur in the future.

Above:  Students watch and listen as a student from Germany asks them a question during the web conference.

Students from Mrs. Ha's Student Leadership class also brought the school an international experience. They fundraised to bring Holocaust survivor and author Irving Roth to Portage Community High School in Spring of 2010.  Roth spoke about his experiences and autographed copies of his book, Bondi's Brother.

Community High School also has an internationally-focused curriculum. Each subject is tied to important global issues and encourages students to explore their place in an increasingly-global society. Students in English and Social Studies study topics ranging from genocide to human trafficking. These classes also take part in many service projects, such as sending books to schools in Haiti and signing petitions in support of key global issues.

Community High School employs a wide variety of school-wide and individual RTI programs in order to help students fulfill their academic and behavioral potential. Students are assessed through a variety of measures and fitted -academically and socially- into classes and interventions that fit their specific needs. School wide behavior interventions include Positive Behavior Intervention Support, No Disposable Kids, and Life Space Crisis Management. Schoolwide academic interventions include explicit vocabulary instruction, cross-content reading comprehension strategies, and universal screening for reading and math. Individualized behavior support is provided through a school-home wraparound program and individualized academic support is provided through targeted interventions, such as Fast ForWord, Read180, math remediation, after-school tutoring, and academic assistance classes.

Above: Students read diligently in an Academic Support reading class.

As a part of our Positive Behavior Support system, students are rewarded for good behavior with several carnivals and assemblies held throughout the year. Students can also win prizes as a part of the PBS "Bee" drawings. In addition to the carnivals, Community High also hosts a winter formal and a prom.

Above: A teacher gives the winner of a PBIS "Bee" drawing a gift certificate to Subway.

Above: Students participate in a game at an assembly.

Above: Students share a smile after a PBIS assembly.