College Ambitions Start
Today (CAST)
The Faribault High School has recently
seen a large increase in minority youth,
with 30% of Faribault students
identified as minorities. Along with
having a very racially diverse
population, over half of our High School
students receive free/reduced lunch. An
achievement gap has become apparent
between these minority students and
their peers, so in response, CAST was
created. By offering college access
programming for minority students, we
are working to create a college- bound
culture for all in the High School.
Ways to Volunteer:

Mondays 3:15- 4:45. Work
with students on ACT prep,
reading/ writing help, college
application essays, and help
lead CAST activities.
 Help CAST students during
their homeroom class period
from 12:43 to 1:09. Assist with
homework and be a positive
role model.
 Homework Help: T/Th in the
Faribault High School Media
Center.
Martha Schultz, Youth Development,
507-333-6160
mschultz@faribault.k12.mn.us
Amy Johnson, AmeriCorps VISTA,
507-333-6135
ajohnson01@faribault.k12.mn.us
So How are the children (Shac)
SHAC’s Mission: Provide Faribault's
diverse youth population with opportunities to
succeed and thrive. SHAC works to achieve
this by:
 Creating strong, effective
programming for youth
 Partnering with other organizations in
the area
 Strengthening relationships with the
families SHAC serves
 Giving support to immigrant
populations to help them succeed
Ways to Volunteer:
 Faribault Middle School afterschool
program volunteers, 2:55-4:25pm
 ESL Classes for Somali adults
 M/Th: Male and Female volunteers to
mentor and provide academic support
to Somali students
 Tues: Female volunteers to act as
mentors during the Somali Girls Club,
a cultural group designed to support
 Provide enriching recreational
activities
 Tues: Male volunteers to act as
mentors during the Somali Boys
Club, a cultural group designed to
support asset-building relationships
and to provide athletic opportunities
 M/ Tues: 9:30-11:30 at Faribault’s
Buckham Library—volunteers who
can help with prepared lessons as well
as conversational English practice
Libby Potter, SHAC Americorps VISTA,
pottere67@gmail.com
Carolyn Treadway, SHAC Director,
ctreadway@shac4youth.org
St. Olaf Student Lindsay Fuller
Tackling Obstacles
&Raising College
Hopes
TORCH was created in 2005 in order
to meet a need in the Latino
community. Members of the school
district, as well as community
members, collaborated to address the
issue of the achievement gap between
Latino students and white students in
the Northfield School District. Because
of our success, our programs are now
available to all traditionally underserved students. Together we offer:
 Tutoring and mentoring
 ACT prep
 College Visits
 PSEO Programming
OUR MISSION: To improve the
graduation and postsecondary participation rates of
Northfield’s minority student, lowincome students, and youth who
would be first generation college
attendees.
Beth Berry, High School Coordinator:
beth.berry@nfld.k12.mn.us
507-645-8049
Susan Sanderson, Middle School
Coordinator:
susan.sanderson@nfld.k12.mn.us
507-581-0310
Northfield High School Academy
Northfield High School
Northfield High School is a 9-12
public high school with approximately
1230 students. NHS offers a
comprehensive high school
experience with 12 disciplines and
PSEO options. Students have access
to 16 Advanced Placement courses as
well as a number of support options
that provide avenues for success for
all students. Northfield High School
owns a four year graduation rate over
90%, including a 100% graduation
rate in 2012 among its Latino
students. Northfield High School also
offers over 30 co-curricular and
extracurricular activities 9-12.
Volunteer Opportunities




Assisting in classrooms
Tutoring in school-day and
after school programs
Assisting at events (concerts,
sporting events, etc.)
Contact: Principal Joel Leer,
507-663-0630
The Northfield High School's ninth grade
Academy's mission is to create an environment
that encourages involvement, development, and
rigor to help students succeed at the high school
and beyond. Students participate in English,
Civics/American History, Physics/Chemistry,
and Seminar. The curriculum within and outside
of the Academy structure is the same. The main
differences are smaller class size (no more than
25 students), focus on reading development, the
use of academic and behavior pyramids of
intervention, and the ability to use flexible
scheduling as needed due to four periods a day
in the structured Academy setting. Parent
involvement is welcomed and encouraged. The
Academy team meets weekly both as a team and
with the assistant principal, social worker, and
guidance counselors to help ensure our students'
success at Northfield High School.
Volunteers are always welcome. Our program
meets four periods. On Mondays, Tuesdays,
Thursday, and Fridays we meet from 8:46 to
10:31, lunch, and then back to class from 11:04 12:55. On Wednesday, we go from 9:37 to
11:04, lunch, and back for classes from 11:36
to1:14. If anyone wants to visit and watch our
classes one day or volunteer on a regular basis,
feel free to email me:
lisa.battaglia@nfld.k12.mn.us.
NORTHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
During the 2008-2009 school year:

25% of 9th graders failed a class.

27% of 9th graders were absent 10 or
more days.
 30% of 9th graders had discipline
referrals.

20% of 9th graders’ reading scores are
below grade level.
NATIONAL TRENDS

More students fail 9th grade than any
other year (Wheelock & Miao, 2005).

Of every 3 students who enter high
school, one will drop out (Border,
2006).
When high schools made special


provisions to “receive” their 9th graders,
significantly fewer students were
retained in their freshmen year courses
(Kerr, 2002).
Successful schools have learned that
distinctive
and extraordinary
initiatives
Northfield
education
are necessary
the 9th grade year
Getduring
involved
(Fields, 2005).