Welcome Parents and
Students!
Camas High School
Freshman Success Academy
Parent Info Night: 22 February 2011
The “Freshman Bottleneck”

Due to retentions, the freshman class in most
American high schools is larger than any other
grade level.
“Enrollments are increasingly bunching up in grade
9… 13 percent more students were enrolled in
grade 9 than in grade 8 the previous year
nationwide, while the bulge can be much larger for
some states.”
By 10th grade, the statistics students are startling:
on average, “on-time” 10th grade enrollment is
24% lower than 8th grade enrollment for the
same cohort of students.
The School Administrator. American Association of School Administrators. “The
Ninth Grade Bottleneck.” March 2005. www.aasa.org.
What to do?
Researchers have identified 9th
grade as the most critical
point to intervene and prevent
even the best students from
losing motivation, failing and
dropping out of school.
The School Administrator. American Association of School Administrators.
“Isolating Ninth Graders.” March 2002. www.aasa.org.
A Solution?
What is needed… are smaller schools,
more academic rigor with high
expectations for all students, an
infrastructure of support for students,
alignment of curriculum and
professional development, and an
emphasis on character development.
National School Boards Association, “Education leaders call for smaller, more
personal, and more relevant high schools.” 27 June 2000. www.nbsa.org.
We are part of a system of
supports at Camas High School
The Reasons This Program Exists:
 Connection
 Support
 Transition
 Structure
A
Strong Foundation
The results:
Increases in GPA
(compared to 8th Grade)
*On average, the 9th grade GPA decreases by comparison
Increased 10th Grade HSPE pass rates
(compared to MS and general population)
Decreases in absenteeism and
disciplinary referrals
(compared to 8th Grade and general population)
The Staff
Mark Gardner, English
 Sarah Widdop, English
 Nita Farrell, Math
 Sal Colletto, Math
 Jenae Langston, Career Education
 Sherry Keene, Counseling
 Josh Gibson, Dean of Students

Myths and Misconceptions…
MYTH
 The Academy is a
lower academic track.
FACT
 Academy students are
college-bound, and
each year, many
move on to AP/Pre-AP
classes in English,
history, and the
sciences.
Myths and Misconceptions…
MYTH
 Academies at the
middle schools are
just like the Freshman
Academy, OR that if
you were in the midAcademy you must be
in the Freshman
Academy.
FACT
 The two programs are
separate, with
different class
structures, goals, and
selection procedures.
Myths and Misconceptions…
MYTH
 Students are placed
into the Academy due
to poor grades or bad
performance.
FACT
 This is a voluntary
program for kids
willing to accept help.
 If a student lets us
know they are not
interested, we offer
their spot to a student
who has indicated an
interest.
Myths and Misconceptions…
MYTH
 Students are in the
Academy due to poor
grades or bad
behavior.
FACT
 Grades are not
considered when we
select enrollees.
Students enter with
grades that cover the
whole spectrum of
performance.
 Certain behaviors
(HBI) are red flags
and those students
are removed from our
consideration.
How Students are Selected for the
Academy

Initial Nomination by 8th Grade Teams at
Skyridge and Liberty
– Criteria (any or all):
 Demonstrated academic potential
 The need for additional support in staying organized,
completing homework… “Student Survival Skills.”
 Perhaps performance/Grades do not line up with actual
ability
 May have skills gaps, but DO have work ethic
 Might have “academic yo-yo syndrome…”
There is no “typical”
Academy Student
These are real kids:
Male.
 Left Liberty with a 3.3 GPA.
 No discipline record.
 Assessed reading level: Grade 5.8.
 Key to success: Work ethic and drive.
 Potential obstacles: Poor organization;
Rigor and demands of managing six
classes in High School.

There is no “typical”
Academy Student
These are real kids:

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Female.
Left Skyridge with a 1.0 GPA.
A few referrals for her “mouth” in 8th.
Assessed reading level: Grade 14.0.
Key to success: Creativity.
Potential obstacles: Low self-advocacy; Lacking
skills to work well with teachers; Easily
influenced by peers.
There is no “typical”
Academy Student
These are real kids:
Female.
 Left Liberty with a 2.0 GPA.
 Served by an IEP.
 Assessed reading level: Grade 4.8.
 Key to success: Asks good questions.
 Potential obstacles: Low self-advocacy;
Poor organization; Low reading impacts all
subject areas.

There is no “typical”
Academy Student
These are real kids:


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Male.
Left Skyridge with a 2.9 GPA.
Minor discipline issues in 8th grade.
Assessed reading level: Grade 9.2.
Key to success: Capable and organized—thrives
when he feels connected.
Potential obstacles: Disengages and doesn’t do
work if its not “interesting”; The “yo-yo” effect.
There is no “typical”
Academy Student
These are real kids:


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Female.
Left Skyridge with a 3.9 GPA.
One referral for chewing gum.
Assessed reading level: Grade 10.0.
Key to success: Hard worker, has natural skills.
Potential obstacles: Doesn’t ask questions when
confused; very quiet in general.
These students were all
nominated because they
have potential, not because
they need “fixing” or
“corralling.”
The Structure of the Freshman
Academy

A typical student schedule (not
necessarily in this order):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
English 9
Algebra I
9th Grade Science
Elective / Early World History
Health 9 / PE
Academy Focus
Academy Focus

A blend:
– Freshman Focus (required for all CHS 9th
Graders)
– Training in career options and research skills
– Academy Study Skills and Support
 One-on-one teacher time
 Small group review and study
 Organization and “Student Survival Skills”
 Not a study hall
Academy Focus

Allows for:
– Flexibility and collaboration by teachers
– Greater contact with core teachers
– The time for enrichment (when needed) and
remediation (when needed) or just more
explanation (when needed)
Myths and Misconceptions…
MYTH
 The Academy
guarantees that my
student will pass and
move on to be
successful.
FACT
 We can only offer
choices, support,
resources… it is still
up the student to do
the work.
 The curriculum in the
Academy is the SAME
as in non-Academy
ninth grade classes.
Summary: Key Points

Class Size:
– 20:1 Academy
– 30:1 Non-Academy
Extra Study and Literacy Support
 Same Course Curriculum as Non-Academy
(Science, English, Math)
 Connections

What’s Next:

Check in with a staff member before you
leave to let us know whether you would
like to keep your student on our list.

Students will “forecast” for Academy
classes when CHS counselors visit LMS
and SMS in the next few weeks.

Summer Orientation