28/Sep/2008
Transition Time…
Zachary High’s New Freshman Academy Successful, Growing, Benefitting Students
By Emily Holden
Donna Kline, Zachary High’s Dean of Students and a 24-year English teacher, attended a conference several years ago about a growing education trend.
National experts discovered students who fail the ninth grade have a greatly reduced chance of earning a high school diploma.
These experts stressed the importance of nurturing freshmen and providing them with the necessary safety net for the transition from middle school to high school. The conference left an impression on Kline, although she was not in the position to begin any sort of freshman program at that time.
But Kline began to investigate the idea of a ninth grade academy when Principal Kevin Lemoine approached her with the prospect. She is now beginning her third year as the freshman academy coordinator at Zachary High.
“Superb” English Teacher
Diane Stone, assistant principal of curriculum and instruction, said Kline had a reputation as a superb English teacher before becoming the freshman academy coordinator. She said Kline’s excellent organizational skills and rapport with students and teachers is greatly beneficial in her new post.
Kline toured a model ninth grade academy in Greenville, North Carolina in February 2006 to gain insight into the program in that community.
This past year, Zachary High School was awarded a High School Redesign Grant. The school was one of 53 Louisiana high schools that received the grant which totals $140,000. The first year of funding for the three-year grant was dedicated solely to starting the ninth grade academy.
The redesign organized students into three groups of about 120. Students within each group are taught core subjects by the same set of teachers. Those teachers meet for discussion on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Teachers of the same subject meet to discuss curricula and teaching methods on Tuesday and Thursday. The grant also provides funding for professional development, allowing teachers to attend conferences and share what they have learned with their peers.
"The results are really starting to show," Kline said.
Fewer Failing
Stone said fewer students are failing classes and more students are passing the ninth grade.
Kline explained the transition between middle and high school can be difficult because of added social distractions, having seven different teachers spread across the entire campus and choosing among many different extracurricular activities. She said the school is implementing strategies to help ease that transition.
"Many ninth graders lack the social and academic maturity to survive going from a small middle school to a very large, comprehensive high school," Kline said.
Stone said national statistics proved schools were not as successful in the ninth grade as they should have been.
“We determined that the reason is we need to provide a better transition and more support. And that’s something any human being needs when they’re making a change,” she said. “If that’s what it takes, we’re certainly willing to give it. We’re just making sure that they have the opportunity and the skills and the support they need to be successful in high school.”
Forgotten Homework
Kline said freshmen sometimes have problems balancing their schedules and often forget to complete homework. In response to this issue, the school has implemented a lunch time detention for ninth graders who do not turn in homework. Students placed in HEAT (Help Eliminate Academic Tardiness) eat a bag lunch while completing missed work. Students do not lose points if they complete assignments during lunch. Stone said this program has greatly improved grades.
Kline said the academy also recognizes and rewards positive behaviors. Every Thursday, each of the 75 teachers invites a student to enjoy a catered lunch in the "Hard Work Cafe."
"We have to nurture these kids, but we also have to introduce them to the rigor of high school course work," she said.
To prepare students for that rigor, the school requires freshmen enroll in the Freshman Success Class. The class teaches students methods of note-taking, organization and testing.
Teachers discovered a process of monitoring each student’s progress. Kline said no student slips through the system without individual attention. Each section of teachers holds a "thumbs up" meeting twice a month. Each teacher evaluates each student on the list with a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" for any academic, emotional or social difficulties the student may be experiencing. Teachers discuss options for students who receive more than one “thumbs down.”
Stone said the freshman academy has been so successful that Zachary High will use the teaming concept with the tenth grade class this year.
Zachary High’s New Freshman Academy Successful, Growing, Benefitting Students
By Emily Holden
Donna Kline, Zachary High’s Dean of Students and a 24-year English teacher, attended a conference several years ago about a growing education trend.
National experts discovered students who fail the ninth grade have a greatly reduced chance of earning a high school diploma.
These experts stressed the importance of nurturing freshmen and providing them with the necessary safety net for the transition from middle school to high school. The conference left an impression on Kline, although she was not in the position to begin any sort of freshman program at that time.
But Kline began to investigate the idea of a ninth grade academy when Principal Kevin Lemoine approached her with the prospect. She is now beginning her third year as the freshman academy coordinator at Zachary High.
“Superb” English Teacher
Diane Stone, assistant principal of curriculum and instruction, said Kline had a reputation as a superb English teacher before becoming the freshman academy coordinator. She said Kline’s excellent organizational skills and rapport with students and teachers is greatly beneficial in her new post.
Kline toured a model ninth grade academy in Greenville, North Carolina in February 2006 to gain insight into the program in that community.
This past year, Zachary High School was awarded a High School Redesign Grant. The school was one of 53 Louisiana high schools that received the grant which totals $140,000. The first year of funding for the three-year grant was dedicated solely to starting the ninth grade academy.
The redesign organized students into three groups of about 120. Students within each group are taught core subjects by the same set of teachers. Those teachers meet for discussion on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Teachers of the same subject meet to discuss curricula and teaching methods on Tuesday and Thursday. The grant also provides funding for professional development, allowing teachers to attend conferences and share what they have learned with their peers.
"The results are really starting to show," Kline said.
Fewer Failing
Stone said fewer students are failing classes and more students are passing the ninth grade.
Kline explained the transition between middle and high school can be difficult because of added social distractions, having seven different teachers spread across the entire campus and choosing among many different extracurricular activities. She said the school is implementing strategies to help ease that transition.
"Many ninth graders lack the social and academic maturity to survive going from a small middle school to a very large, comprehensive high school," Kline said.
Stone said national statistics proved schools were not as successful in the ninth grade as they should have been.
“We determined that the reason is we need to provide a better transition and more support. And that’s something any human being needs when they’re making a change,” she said. “If that’s what it takes, we’re certainly willing to give it. We’re just making sure that they have the opportunity and the skills and the support they need to be successful in high school.”
Forgotten Homework
Kline said freshmen sometimes have problems balancing their schedules and often forget to complete homework. In response to this issue, the school has implemented a lunch time detention for ninth graders who do not turn in homework. Students placed in HEAT (Help Eliminate Academic Tardiness) eat a bag lunch while completing missed work. Students do not lose points if they complete assignments during lunch. Stone said this program has greatly improved grades.
Kline said the academy also recognizes and rewards positive behaviors. Every Thursday, each of the 75 teachers invites a student to enjoy a catered lunch in the "Hard Work Cafe."
"We have to nurture these kids, but we also have to introduce them to the rigor of high school course work," she said.
To prepare students for that rigor, the school requires freshmen enroll in the Freshman Success Class. The class teaches students methods of note-taking, organization and testing.
Teachers discovered a process of monitoring each student’s progress. Kline said no student slips through the system without individual attention. Each section of teachers holds a "thumbs up" meeting twice a month. Each teacher evaluates each student on the list with a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" for any academic, emotional or social difficulties the student may be experiencing. Teachers discuss options for students who receive more than one “thumbs down.”
Stone said the freshman academy has been so successful that Zachary High will use the teaming concept with the tenth grade class this year.
