Blueprint for Success

EBR Schools Organizing New Freshman Academy

Each year about 14,000 Louisiana students drop out of school. Tara High School is doing something to reduce that number.

Beginning in August, ninth grade teachers and students will be grouped together in “teams.” All freshmen will rotate through classes together. This scheduling format will create a school-within-a-school climate making the transition from middle to high school easier. It will also allow the teachers to have common across the curriculum planning time to meet together, with parents, and with students.

“The ninth grade is a critical time,” said principal Luann Estes. “Students who struggle during this first year in high school are most at risk for dropping out.”

Tara High was one of just fifty schools in the state, and, the only East Baton Rouge Parish high school selected as a recipient of the Louisiana High School Redesign Grant.

The three year grant began for Tara High during the 2007-2008 school year. Teachers spent the year planning and practicing. Funding through the grant enabled the teachers to attend the Model Schools Conference and work with renowned leader in high school redesign, Dr. Gary Fields. Fields spent three days on the campus working directly with the enthusiastic educators who were a part of the newly designed ninth grade academy.

The school created a practice team of ninth grade students and teachers. From this team emerged the perfect plan for successful high school redesign. Last year, was a practice year. This year will be an all out war on dropping out.

The redesign is more in depth than just a reorganization of schedules. Teachers will spend more time monitoring student progress. All teachers on the campus will mentor two to three freshmen. They will look at progress reports, report cards, attendance and disciplinary concerns.

In addition to mentoring and monitoring, Tara High School will be sending out a “grade alert,” every three weeks. This will allow students and their families to have the time needed to improve a poor grade before it is too late.

“Our job will be to catch the students before they fail,” said Estes.

Redesigning the way we educate freshmen students makes good sense. A ninth grade academy is a win for the children, parents, school and community. It is the perfect blueprint for success.