9th Grade Academy
Vision Statement It is the mission of the 9th Grade Academy to assist the incoming freshman to make a smooth transition into high school, meet the rigorous high school standards and become self-sufficient high school students. The Need: Embracing Change Our world is changing and so is education. Freshmen need increased skills in the 21st Century workplace. The 9th Grade Academy promotes interpersonal skills, organization and time management, effective use of resources and a high degree of accountability. All students will have to reach high standards in reading, writing, math, speaking, listening and thinking skills. The Ninth Grade Academy is not a separate facility but more of a “school within a school”. The Academy philosophy is truly one of “No Child Left Behind”. The Academy staff works with parents and students to focus on the transition to high school and provide intensive support throughout the school-year. Research shows that students are more successful in smaller groups. Most young people must feel connected to significant adults and a positive peer group to have the support to be an accomplished student. Incoming freshmen are connected to a select team of caring Academy staff who use research-based best practices to teach the curriculum as well as address their students' needs more personally. The freshmen year focuses on developing and honing the personal and academic skills of these students, while connecting them to their academic and career pathways that will define their next 4 years of high school. As freshman, students should understand that there are no acceptable excuses for poor attendance, incomplete schoolwork, or inappropriate behavior. Those attitudes are not tolerated in the workplace and therefore cannot be tolerated at Northwestern Lehigh High School. Students who need extra assistance in those areas have the opportunity to receive extra supports. Teachers work in a collaborative environment and are committed to the learning of the students they share. Goal: To provide programs and supports addressing the unique needs of freshman resulting in increased achievement Objective 1: The percentage of students losing credit and/or failing one or more courses during the freshman year will decline by 5%. (Compared to baseline data from pilot school year 2007-2008). Objective 2: The average GPA of freshman will increase by .5%. (Compared to baseline data from pilot school year 2007-2008). ACADEMY FEATURES · Engaging and challenging curriculum with an integrated, interdisciplinary approach that uses academic content and skills to address real world projects and problems · Academically rigorous education that maintains high expectations for each student · Careful monitoring of student performance and attendance · Data -driven decision making · Structured system of appropriate extra help · Modified Block Schedule · Intensive math and literacy instruction delivered to students who are two grades or more below 9th grade level · Advisor/Advisee program (Teachers as Educational Advisors and Mentors) · Frequent contact between school and parents · Literacy infusion into all content areas · Ongoing recognition of accomplishments BENEFITS TO STUDENTS (Research Based) include · increased academic achievement, · reduced discrepancies in the achievement gap that plague poorer children and, too often, children of color, · increased student attendance, attitudes and behavior, · reduction isolation that often seeds alienation and violence, · promotion positive feelings about self and others, · increased number of students matriculating to 10th grade, · lower student drop out rate, · increased extracurricular participation rate, · development student awareness of academic/career options, · stronger student-teacher relationships, · enhancement of student ability to apply academic content and the Skills For Success: Learning, Thinking, Technology, Interpersonal, and Communication skills in real world and workplace settings, · integration of academic and technical skills, and · involvement of each student along with his/her parent/guardian in a guidance and advisory system. Academy Organization · All incoming first time freshmen are assigned to a house of 80-100 students. (A house is an organizational arrangement that assigns students and teachers to teams). · Each Team consists of cross-curricular teams of English, math, science, and social studies teachers with one member serving as a lead teacher · Contains courses of varying abilities, i.e. honors, regular, extra help, etc. · Has a common planning period for staff to meet. · Schedules ninth grade students in “all freshmen” classes with no upperclassmen in those classes. 9th Grade Academy Goals · To increase the graduation rate · To increase individual GPA · To facilitate the transition into high school · To decrease the amount of learning problems associated with attendance and behavior Staff Collaboration - The Academy staff meets once a week, during common prep period, to discuss upcoming programs, dialogue about students, and to discuss future plans. - There is active communication between administration, counselors, and teachers. Communication with Parents - All teachers have email access. - Parents are encouraged to email/call teachers regularly for updates on their child's progress. - Teachers are encouraged to communicate with parents regularly and early – for good things and bad (ie. attendance, behavior, grades, and homework). - Counselors and administration will set up conferences to deal with academic and behavioral issues. - Teachers work hard to attend parent conferences and provide insight to the parents regarding their child's progress. Student Advocacy - The needs of the student come first. - Teachers are willing to work with students. However, students need to show their commitment as well. - Conferences can help develop the most appropriate plan to allow a student to be successful. Students must buy into these plans for them to work. Intensive Support - one goal is getting 100% of our students promoted to tenth grade on time (88%-95% is being accomplished annually – well above the state average.) - Success is due to repeated contact with students and parents. - Counselors and administrators are involved with at-risk students regularly. Goal Oriented Staff - Staff take part in on-going coordination and implementation of effective intervention and teaching strategies - Goals are reviewed annually based on past successes and projected needs. - Goals are a part of the information that is made available to parents, students, visitors, and other schools. Past successes have fueled the need for continuous improvement.
My Web Site!
|
