Reinventing Ninth Grade “The Quest for Success…Begins Here.”

High level of immaturity and irresponsibility Increase in number of repeaters Limited number of teachers who want to teach 9 th grade High number of disciplinary infractions (i.e. tardies, dress code, etc.) Too little communication with parents Concerns about Transition to Ninth Grade

Academics Through Personalization “Teaching 14 year old children, not content.” The academy… Creates personal relationships with students. Raises expectations for all stakeholders. Does not accept “failure as an option.”

Data Comparison Freshman Class of % of students with less than a 2.0 GPA for the 1 st semester. 24% of students with over a 3.0 GPA for the 1 st semester. Freshman Class of % of students with less than a 2.0 GPA for the 1 st semester. 29% of students with over a 3.0 for the 1 st semester.

Strategies That Work Teachers applying/interviewing to work in the academy Teaming the core teachers daily Consistency in expectations Separation of 9 th grade classes from the upperclassmen.

Mandatory Freshman Success class to teach orientation, study skills, note-taking strategies, etc. Class size no more than 25:1 Academy coordinator and guidance counselor for the Ninth Grade Academy

Credit recovery program (i.e. Twilight School) offered for those 9 th graders who have failed a core subject Only “pure freshmen” allowed in the academy

Academy Features Incoming 9 th graders are assigned to a “house” of students. Each house consists of cross- curricular teams of English (I), science (Physical Science), social studies (World Geography), and math (Algebra I/Geometry) teachers

Has a common planning period EACH DAY Contains courses of varying abilities, i.e. honors/ AP and regular “Double-dosing” in math or ELA for students who score unsatisfactory or approaching basic on 8 th grade LEAP.

Students remain in same house all year. Students participate in elective courses as well as other activities, such as clubs and sports, outside their house.

Frequent contact and ongoing communication between school and parents. Ongoing recognition of student accomplishments (Positive Behavior Support)

Twilight School Held after school from 2:30 – 4:15 Monday through Friday for nine weeks (build in a minimum of 54 instructional hours) Offer classes in Algebra I, World Geography, Physical Science, English I

Prevents students from falling behind classmates Prevents students from “buying” a grade during summer school Maintains the rigor of Zachary High School’s high standards

CREDIT RECOVERY PROGRAM During session one of “Twilight School” 65 of 98 students received recovery credit. During session two of “Twilight School” 41 of 52 students received recovery credit.