Newcomer Level - Students begin on this level. Newcomers should be beginning to blame others less and take more responsibility for their mistakes.

1. Attendance - A Newcomer must maintain good attendance. Any tardies or absences must be either excused or made up immediately according to the New School Attendance Policy.
2. Academic Performance - Newcomers must earn at least 1.5 credits per week and 15 per quarter. We support these students by requiring an extra hour of Study Hall from 3-4 pm Monday-Thursday.
3. Behavior - A Newcomer must follow all of the Behavioral Expectations (listed in the planner) of New School. No disruptive classroom behavior is acceptable. Newcomers must be able to follow directions given by Student Leaders.
4. Attitude - Students at this level must not argue with staff or other students in class. Disagreements may be worked out privately through Conflict Resolution or other methods, in a respectful manner.
5. After School Activity - Newcomers may have Mandates (required classes to attend, either during school or after school, and are required to attend Study Hall from 3-4:00 Monday through Thursday.
6. School Responsibilities - Newcomers may have a job in Student Government.
7. Home Life - Newcomers and their families/support group must attend the monthly Family Meetings. These students must be actively trying to improve relationships at home.
8. Teamwork - Newcomers must be trying hard to correct negative behaviors, such as capping on others, laughing when others are hurt, and general rudeness. They should be beginning to gain the respect of their peers.
9. Privileges - Newcomers may take home homework. They may not leave campus at break or lunch.

Serious Student Level - These students have changed so much that they would be successful in a traditional school. They have learned to take full responsibility for their decisions. They exhibit the qualities expected of the Newcomer as well as the following qualities.

1. Attendance - A Serious Student has very good attendance, few if any tardies, and need not be reminded to bring in excuse notes.
2. Academic Performance - A student at this level must do all the class work and hand in all the homework. Quarter credits must total at least 20, or 2 per week.
3. Behavior - A Serious Student takes full responsibility for his/her behavior, never blaming others. S/he need not be reminded of his/her responsibilities. A Serious Student is not present when other students are not following school procedures or doing anything illegal or dishonest. A Serious Student should never get sent out of the classroom.
4. Attitude - These students are cooperative with staff and other students. They refrain from capping on others. They look for solutions, instead of arguing, complaining and whining.
5. After School Activity - Serious Students may have a Mandate or are working or participating in some positive activity after school, either paid or service learning. They are not required to attend Study Hall after school.
6. School Responsibilities - Serious Students are expected to hold positions in Student Government.
7. Home Life - These students have begun to improve the relationships with their families. When asked, parents will say that these students are doing much better
   at home. They also help more with the chores at home. Their families or support groups don't miss Family Meetings.
8. Teamwork - Serious Students are responsible primarily for their own success. They have learned to make better decisions than before. They are respected and
   trusted by other students. From time to time they may be called on to assist Student Leaders in running the school. Most are expected to serve as Team Leaders
   in their Advisory Groups.
9. Privileges. - Serious Students may be eligible for a paid job through Careerworks. They are also eligible for ROP, Adult School, and Drivers' Training and may take out Physical Education contracts and extra homework. They will have staff recommendation to return to traditional schools. They can also leave school campus during lunchtime, and serve as staff's aides. A student must be on this level to return to a traditional school, or to return to New School for a second year. Serious Students may use the office telephone with staff permission.

Student Leader Level. These students have gone beyond personal success and have taken responsibility for success of the entire New School program.
A Student Leader is expected to exhibit most of the qualities below as well as the qualities of the lower levels.

1. Attendance. Student Leaders must have excellent attendance. The staff must know beforehand (or at least that morning) if s/he will be absent, and the student is responsible for insuring that his/her responsibilities are taken care of.
2. Academic Performance. These students always do their best academically, and usually finish their work first. They do all the class work and extra homework and must earn at least 25 credits per quarter and 3 credits per week.
3. Behavior. These students have extra responsibilities running the school, and are expected to be the first to cooperate with staff. They meet with staff once a week, and set the tone by being hard working. They should never have to be told a second time.
4. Attitude. Student Leaders set an example for everyone. They must always! make good choices by being supportive of staff and helpful with other students. Any disagreement with staff will be settled privately. These students are problem solvers.
5. After School Activity. Student Leaders must have daily paid employment, perform service learning, or have some other productive activity after school.
6. Student Government. Student Leaders hold positions of authority in Student Government, and work behind the scenes to encourage the leadership of other students.
7. Home Life. Student Leaders must be seen by their families as responsible and dependable. They must contribute to the well being of their families both emotionally and financially. Their families or support groups are present at all Family Meetings.
8. Peer Interactions. Student leaders are "Sombras" or buddies, for Newcomer students and students having difficulties. Student Leaders greet visitors and answer the phone. They are trained Peer Counselors and Conflict Managers, and may be called on to help others with their problems.
9. Privileges. Student Leaders have all the privileges of Serious Students, plus they are treated to lunch monthly by staff, and they get a longer lunch once a week, on Tuesdays.

Maturity Level System

Students choose the level they wish to be on, and therefore, the standards to which they wish to be held accountable, and the number of credits they wish to earn. The School Council reviews Maturity Level placements weekly. Students at New School choose to be on one of three "Maturity Levels".

Newcomer is the minimum level. To stay in school, Newcomers must have good attendance, stay out of trouble, do the class work, and complete regular homework.

Serious Student is the second level, and requires behavior equivalent to success in a traditional program, including at least an hour's worth of homework four nights a week. Any student wishing to transfer to a more traditional program must be on this level.

The highest level is Student Leader. These students are in charge of their own student groups and behave like staff. They have gone beyond personal success, and actively support the success of others.

Maturity Level System Voting Procedures

1. The School Council is composed of all staff. A majority vote prevails except for moving up to Student Leader, which must be a unanimous vote.
2. A student must stay on any level for at least three weeks before being eligible to petition, and to move up, a student must submit a completed petition to his/her Advisor and copy, understand, and meet the criteria of the new level.
3. To consider a petition to move up at a Council meeting, that student must have no current warnings.
4. Any student who does not conform to the school's Behavioral Expectations or breaks a PVUSD Category IV Rule may be dropped a level the following week, reflecting behavior expected of the lower level. Serious problems, such as disobeying a direct order from a staff person, or gross disrespect of a staff person will permit the Principal Teacher to drop a student a level without consultations with the Council.
5. When a student is dropped from New School, the student's Advisor and the Head Teacher will determine which placement would be most appropriate. Some options include: Watsonville Court and Community School, the Youth Services School, Adult School, and the SOS program at Adult School.
6. A student's stay at New School is limited to three semesters unless that person is on Serious Student or Student Leader level.