Department Overviews

Since its inception, FSWC - Lee has endeavored to include the 21st-century key concepts of Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration. Throughout our development, we have learned to weave these skills into rigorous Content in an environment that vibrantly fosters Creativity.  Operating with a lottery-based open enrollment system and by deliberately choosing to focus on these skills we have consistently been named a School of Excellence and maintained our High Performing Charter status.

Our focused attention on cultivating a school culture and curriculum centered around these five Cs - our school’s guiding principles - ensures not only students’ success during their ninth and tenth-grade years but also prepares them for full-time dual enrollment at FSW. Students must work hard with their teachers to earn and maintain the required minimum GPA of 3.0. These five foundational skills are essential for success in college and life beyond academia.  

Our emphasis on critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills while covering specific content is seamlessly integrated into our daily planning and operations. Integration naturally extends to activities and projects where teachers collaborate creatively with each other and with students. Collaboration occurs not only between teachers and individual students but also among staff members and school administrators. The original three Cs are explicitly taught and managed alongside traditional academic content, fostering an environment where creativity is encouraged and expected. Our holistic approach ensures that the five Cs work synergistically to enhance both drive and performance.  

Please continue reading to see examples illustrating how these principles are implemented daily here at FSWC - Lee by clicking on the corresponding links below.