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?
9th Grade Last Year
• 2 Freshman Counselors
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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
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
Research
Mr. Krause, Mr. Morris, Ms. Gastaldello, Mrs.Seger
Over the past two years…
• Online Research
• Contact with the following schools/programs:
Piscataway HS
Fort Lee HS
Red Bank Reg. HS
Raritan HS
Middletown North HS
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)
Northern Valley Reg. HS
Matawan HS
Montclair HS
Warren Hills HS
West Haven HS (Connecticut)
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
2006-2007
2009-2010
Verbal Reprimand
341
271
Central Detention
167
124
ISS
626
320
OSS
285
125
Freshmen Attendance
2006-2007
2009-2010
81.25%
92.06%
Benefits
Students
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
VTHS
Ninth Grade Academy
• Mission Statement
The 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.
VTHS
Ninth Grade Academy
• Goals
Short 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 the
Ninth 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 the
Ninth 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 the
Ninth 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
Gold
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Ms. Gemon
Mr. Byrne
Mr. Pedersen
Ms. Cleary
Ms. Matthews
Mr. Getz
Ms. Schoepp
Mr. LaBouseur
White
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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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cr7bXVnAc083MXhtM1lvM3M/edit?pli=
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