Introduction to the Freshman Academy

The traditional model of the American public high school is no longer adequate, and too many students are left to their own devices during a critical time in their development.

(Fulco 2009)

9th grade transition programs’ affect on high school dropout rates:

with program- 8% dropout rate

without program- 24% dropout rate

(Reents, 2002)

College Courses

• Most COLLEGES have a Freshman transition course.

– Why?

• Why not have the same in high school?

Transitions!

9th Grade Last Year

• 2 Freshman Counselors• Orientation- brief introduction• Class Meeting- brief introduction• Introduction presentation• Small group meetings• Health Class presentation (Personal/Social)• Science Class presentation (Academic/ College & Career)• Naviance presentation

– Personality assessment– College/ career exploration– Game Plan

Results?

• 2010-2011

o 65 freshmen failed a total of 116 classes

• 2011-2012

o 37 freshmen failed a total of 73 classes

Looking Ahead

• 2 school counselors (same)– All previously mentioned contacts PLUS• Individual meetings as 8th graders for schedules• 8th grade parent/student orientation

We can make it even better!!!

Engage Results

Small learning communities do have a positive impact on attendance rates,

school climate, student achievement, graduation rates, and school safety.

(Hertzog & Morgan, 1999).

Last year at VTHS:• Freshman/Sophomore Semi-Formal was cancelled• Junior/Senior Semi-Formal had under 50 students

attend• Halloween Dance (grades 9-12) had under 25

students attend

ResearchMr. Krause, Mr. Morris, Ms. Gastaldello, Mrs.Seger

• Online Research

• Contact with the following schools/programs:Piscataway HS Northern Valley Reg. HSFort Lee HS Matawan HSRed Bank Reg. HS Montclair HSRaritan HS Warren Hills HSMiddletown North HS West Haven HS (Connecticut)A.L. Brown HS (North Carolina)

• Site Visits:Piscataway HS (1/18/12)Middletown North HS (4/25/12)West Haven HS (5/4/12)

Over the past two years…

Conclusions from Schools Visited• In General

Academic Performance

Attendance

Discipline Referrals

Data from Schools Visited

West Haven HS (4 year look-back)Freshmen Failures

2006-2007 2009-2010

Mathematics 31.2% 19.0%

Science 21.8% 8.5%

Social Studies 21.8% 11.1%

English 29.6% 14.1%

Data from Schools (Cont’d)

Freshmen Discipline

Freshmen Attendance

2006-2007 2009-2010

Verbal Reprimand 341 271

Central Detention 167 124

ISS 626 320

OSS 285 125

2006-2007 2009-2010

81.25% 92.06%

BenefitsStudents Faculty

Increased academic achievement Shared mission

Reduced isolation Collective responsibility for student success

Enhanced sense of community Common planning time with team

Increased graduation rate Enhanced communications with parents

Increased promotion rate to 10th Grade

Opportunities for interdisciplinary lessons

Improved student-teacher relationships

Opportunities to develop curriculum

Improved student behavior Greater morale for new initiatives

General Advice from Research/Visits

Create a Ninth Grade Academy based upon your school’s

specific needs and capabilities

VTHSNinth Grade Academy

• Mission StatementThe mission of the VTHS Ninth Grade Academy Program is to educate and prepare incoming 9th grade students for a successful transition into high school. The Academy provides a supportive environment, promotes responsibility and develops skills necessary for future success in high school and ultimately, college and career readiness.

VTHSNinth Grade Academy

• GoalsShort Term: Increase passing rates, decrease number of students losing credit, decrease discipline referrals

Long Term: Improved attendance, increased graduation rates, increased standardized test scores

Overall: increase student engagement and involvement, increase college acceptance and matriculation rates

Components of theNinth Grade Academy

• Academy Teams

– Approximately 90-100 students/team

• Teacher Teams in Core Subjects

– English, Math, Science, Social Studies

• Common Planning/Collaboration

– For teacher teams and subject area teachers

Components of theNinth Grade Academy (Cont’d)

• Freshman Wing – core academic subjects ONLY– PE, Lunch, World Language and Electives “outside” of the

Academy– 9th grade lockers will be located in the Freshman Wing

• Administrator for Academy

• Common Guidance Counselor(s)

Components of theNinth Grade Academy (Cont’d)

• Each “Team” will feature Honors, CP and standard level courses

• All 9th grade students will be randomly assigned a “Team” by PowerSchool (student database system)

Teacher Teams

Blue• Ms. Gemon• Mr. Byrne• Mr. Pedersen• Ms. Cleary

Gold• Ms. Matthews• Mr. Getz• Ms. Schoepp• Mr. LaBouseur

White• Mrs. Moran• Ms. LeDuc• Mr. DeJulia• Mr. Falkowski

What Has Not Changed…

• Core content curriculum

• Course offerings/ elective offerings

• 9th grade requirements

• Bell schedule/ 8 period day

• Opportunities to interact with the entire

student body

• Extracurricular opportunities

A supportive environment enhances students’ sense of belonging, ownership of learning, recognition of good choices and

the ability to make good choices (NASSP, 2005).

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