 The Freshman Academy of a "school within a school" was created to help incoming ninth graders transition to the High School setting.  The Freshman Academy is a small learning community comprised of three teams -- each with approximately 90 ninth graders.  The core courses of English, Math, Science, and Social Studies will be taught within a team  An interdisciplinary team of four core subjects will use such strategies as project based learning, one-to-one computing and differentiated instruction to engage students to be successful learners.  The Academy will provide the opportunity for students to get to know their teachers, classmates, and the building structure at Chartiers Valley High School.  “Small learning communities do have a positive impact on attendance rates, school climate, student achievement, graduation rates, and school safety.” (Hertzog & Morgan, 1999).

StudentsFaculty Increased academic achievementShared mission Reduced isolationCollective responsibility for student success Enhanced sense of communityCommon planning time with team Increased graduation rateEnhanced communications with parents Increased promotion rate to 10 th Grade Opportunities for interdisciplinary lessons Improved student-teacher relationships Opportunities to develop curriculum Improved student behaviorGreater morale for new initiatives

DO NOT… Be afraid We are all here to help you If someone is bothering or bullying you, come and see one of us If you see someone bothering or bullying someone else, come see one of us “If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try.”

DO NOT… Let your social life interfere with your academic life Freshman year is an extremely important year for your future Get good grades now before your social lives get even more complex than they already are…TRUST US “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

DO NOT… Be late, be unprepared for class,be rude or disrespectful to your teachers You never get a second chance to make a first impression Put the cell phone away Watch your language and your topics of discussions DO NOT CHEAT

DO NOT… Be anti-social Join a club. Become a part of a team. Get involved in extra-curricular activities. Volunteer your time to a worthy cause This is your life people. Don’t be afraid to live it “The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.”

DO NOT… Spend class time at the Snack Shack Being late to class because you were at the Snack Shack is NOT AN EXCUSE Do not ask to go during an academic class, save it for study halls “Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days.”

DO NOT… Procrastinate Organization is essential to success in the high school Complete the toughest tasks first, then you will fly through the easy ones Use your cell phone to set reminders for upcoming assignments, tests and projects. It does more than text, tweet and snapchat “Procrastination is opportunity’s assassin.”

DO NOT… Dress inappropriately No one wants to see it It can be gross Have respect for yourself and for others Ew. “You can’t demand respect unless you respect yourself first.”

DO NOT… Be afraid to make NEW friends It will happen inevitably in life, so start now Find others who share your interests and passions “A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself.”

DO NOT… Crowd the teacher’s desk at the beginning of the period asking “What are we doing today?” Odds are it is posted somewhere in the room The teacher will be explaining what we are doing in about 3 minutes…you can wait “The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book.”

DO NOT… Abuse your laptop This is a $500+ gift, treat it well Use it for school purposes only Save the facebook and twitter stuff for your own computer at home You have to give this one back! “What happens on social media, stays on Google forever.”

DO NOT… Stop and talk to your friends in the middle of the hallway Move to the side people Ew. And no PDA…Ew. “Your public displays of affection should be closed to the public.”

That’s about it… thanks for listening.