High School Guidance
“The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving”
- Oliver Wendell Holmes
The FAME guidance program requires close collaboration between the student, teacher, and high school academic counselor to design a successful high school plan. Students choose independent study for many reasons. Our program provides the opportunity to build a program that addresses individual needs and goals. This portion of our website offers many resources regarding our high school academic options as well as information that will assist students in planning for the future. By utilizing the educational opportunities available through the BASIS @ FAME independent study personalized learning program, students can create an exciting and rewarding high school experience.
Our Academic Counselor is available by appointment, email, or phone to answer questions and provide assistance with high school and post high school plans. Her contact information is as follows:
Lexy Bethel Telephone: 925-875-1661 or send email
High School Program Overview
BASIS @ FAME follows the Personalized Learning Model wherein students create and use an educational plan to set personal and academic goals based on individual strengths, interests, and learning styles. In order for students to be successful in our program parents and students must be committed to the ideals of this model and dedicated to the independent learning process. By utilizing the educational opportunities available through the BASIS @ FAME independent study program, students can create an exciting and rewarding high school experience. The following provides some highlights of the nuts and bolts of our program. We are committed to educational excellence within strong framework of accountability.
BASIS @ FAME is authorized to award a high school diploma to students who successfully complete the required credit and academic requirements of our program. Our program is accredited by the Western Association of School and Colleges and our transcripts are transferable to other public high schools. As an independent study program our students work independently in their own homes using a variety of curriculums suitable for each student’s learning needs. Students and parents must agree to follow the learning model adopted by our program before entering our school. The main components of our program are as follows:
Program Options: We have two options for enrollment
Option A
Option A is for students whose parents want to have a high level of involvement in the education of their children and who are willing and able to serve as their student’s daily instructor. The BASIS @ FAME teacher will provide an oversight role by collaborating with the parent educator on assignments and curriculum selection to insure that the student’s interests and needs are being addressed while at the same time meeting required learning standards.
Option B
Option B is available for high school students whose parents want to give more autonomy to their students to work directly with their BASIS @ FAME teacher or who are unable to provide the level of supervision and involvement required under Option A. Option B is highly suggested for any high school student who is behind in credits necessary for graduation, has not passed Algebra 1 and/or CAHSEE, or who scores below grade level on the BASIS @ FAME placement test.
Placement Tests: All incoming high school students will take a short placement test. The test will cover reading comprehension, writing, and math. The placement test enables the student’s teacher to select curriculum that is appropriate to the student’s learning abilities and aids the student, parent, and teacher in setting up the Personalized Learning plan.
Graduation Paths: We are aware that students have different goals after high school. Some will enter the workforce or enroll in community colleges; others intend to enter a four year university. In order to meet these differing needs, we have developed two tracks to graduation: General Education Path and College Preparatory Path. Click here for more info. Link to the Graduation Requirements Page
Learning Standards: Our program is designed to meet or exceed the requirements of the California Content Standards. Course descriptions have been developed for core courses and must be followed in order to receive credit for a course. Mid-terms and final exams must be taken as indicated in the course descriptions.
Algebra 1: Per California state education regulations; all students enrolled in a California public school are required to take and pass Algebra 1 in order to graduate.
California High School Exit Exam: Per California state education regulations; all students enrolled in a California public school are required to take and pass the California High School Exit exam in order to receive a diploma.
Students who do not pass the CAHSEE before the end of the 12th grade, please click on the following:
Notice for Parent/Guardians and Pupils: student eligibility and assistance in preparing for the California High School Exit Exam after Grade 12. (pdf)
Credits and Grades: Letter grades are issued at the end of each semester. Credits are granted in increments of 5, a full year course earning 10 credits. Partial credit is not granted. Students are promoted from one grade to the next based on total credits earned not by age or year in school.
Transfer Credits: A student transferring from another program must submit a transcript from the previous institution at time of enrollment. A student is not formally enrolled until the transcript is received and evaluated by our high school counselor. If the student is transferring from a private home school, a copy of the R4 along with an official transcript must be submitted. We reserve the right not to transfer specific coursework if it does not meet our graduation requirements.
Community College Enrollment: Student’s may take up to six units of community college classes while enrolled in our program. For more information, click here. (Provide Link to College Planning Page)
Academic Guidance: Our high school counselor works in conjunction with the Independent Study Teacher to ensure that students take the proper course work to meet the student’s learning goals. The counselor is also available to help with college planning and application.
For more information about our high school program see the BASIS @ FAME Parent Handbook (coming soon!) PDF.
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