Southwest Schools, a State Charter School governed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), is proud to be considered a school of excellence for diverse learners.  Southwest Schools is funded through state and federal programs, and operates from the tenets of Professional Learning Communities:

• Commitment to collaboration as a systematic process in which teachers work together, interdependently, to analyze and impact professional practice in order to improve results for our students, our team, and our school
• Commitment to collective inquiry into best practices about teaching and learning to impact our current reality
• Commitment to the premise that "learning by doing" develops a deeper and more profound knowledge
• Commitment to creating conditions for perpetual learning
• Commitment to self assessment based on results rather than intentions

Southwest Schools sets as its fundamental purpose to insure that all students learn at high levels.  Our teachers clarify exactly what each student must learn, monitor each student's learning on a timely basis, provide systematic interventions that ensure students receive additional time and support for learning when they struggle, and extend learning when students have already mastered the intended outcomes.

CURRICULUM

Beginning with the incoming freshman class of 2007-2008, high school students who pursue the Recommended High School Program must earn 26 course credits to graduate, including 4 credits each in Math, Science, Social Studies and English/Language Arts.  Students who were classified as freshmen prior to 2007-2008 and want to graduate on the Recommended High School Program must earn 24 credits including 4 credits of English/Language Arts, 3½ credits of Social Studies, and 3 credits of Math and Science. 

Comprehensive final exams are required at the end of each semester.