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Welcome to the

Welcome to the. Erwin Freshman Academy. Success – Nothing Less!. A National Challenge. National Statistics. More students fail the ninth grade than any other grade.

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Welcome to the

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  1. Welcome to the Erwin Freshman Academy Success – Nothing Less!

  2. A National Challenge National Statistics More students fail the ninth grade than any other grade. Students who live below the national poverty level are twice as likely as others to be retained and six times more likely to drop out of school. Students who repeat at least one year are three times more likely to drop out of school than students who have not failed a grade. Among 14 - 15 year-olds who struggle with basic reading and math skills, 20% drop out of school within two years.

  3. Our Challenge Our 2006-2007 Statistics Forty-nine percent (49%) of our students received free or reduced price lunches. Out of a class of just under 300 Freshman: 65 students (22%) failed two or more classes 89 students (30%) missed 10 or more days of school Only 21.4% of our economically disadvantaged 10th graders met their reading proficiency goals.

  4. Our Challenge Our 2006-2007 Statistics Percentage of Students Making Level III or IV on the NC End of Course (EOC) Graduation Requirements: English I – 63% US History - 62% Civics & Economics – 59% Biology – 59% Algebra I – 62% Over one third of the students in each of these classes will have to retake the test and some will have to retake the class.

  5. Our Response District Initiative A committee of teachers, counselors, emeriti, and administrators was formed to design a solution. The committee conducted research and visited successful programs in NC and SC. The following key areas of need were identified: • Change of learning community culture • Common assessments in core subjects • Greater teacher collaboration • Greater teacher autonomy • Shorter class periods

  6. Our Solution Erwin Freshman Academy Our solution is the establishment of the Erwin Freshman Academy. Based solidly on current research, the Academy is a comprehensive program that strives to provide every ninth grade student with a nurturing academic environment for the successful transition from middle school to high school.

  7. Our Goals Student Achievement The goals of the Erwin Freshman Academy are to: • Ensure the academic success of all students. • Eliminate the appeal of dropping out of school. • Improve attendance rates of students. • Reduce discipline problems. • Maintain a safe and orderly learning environment that more intentionally addresses the social, emotional, and academic needs of ninth grade students.

  8. Our Teams = Our Families The Freshman Academy will be comprised of three teams (or families), each made up of four core content teachers and one Leadership teacher. 

  9. Our Teams Teacher Collaboration • Common planning time for all Academy teachers. • Solving challenges and celebrating successes as teams (and families). • The flexibility within teams to adjust class time to accommodate and maximize student learning. • Communicating with parents to establish a positive working relationship. Freshman Academy Teachers will collaborate on all aspects of curriculum design, instruction, and scheduling to support the achievement of all students. This includes:

  10. Our Tools Parental Involvement The Freshman Academy faculty recognizes that parental support is critical to the success of every student. The faculty will incorporate strategies to increase parental awareness, communication, and participation. Strategies will include: • Parent conferences during team planning time. • Parent involvement in the planning of service activities. • Parent involvement in cooperative discipline. • Erwin Freshman Academy Homepage • Creation of a PTA.

  11. Our Tools Class Schedule Core courses, Leadership and Physical Education will be taken by freshmen during six 45 minute year-long periods. Electives are offered to freshmen during one 90 minute block each semester.

  12. The Schedule An Example

  13. Our Tools Flexible Scheduling The length of class periods will be determined by the nature of lessons. Flexible scheduling will: • Empower teams to control instructional time. • Reduce time for disciplinary problems to occur between classes. • Lessen the amount of time students spend in the hallways. • Allow for all core academic courses to be taken before lunch. • Provide greater opportunities for interdisciplinary units and thematic instruction.

  14. Our Tools Cooperative Discipline The Cooperative Discipline model will facilitate the process of teachers and administrators working in cooperation with students, colleagues, and parents to solve discipline problems and to make the classroom a safe and inviting place in which to learn. Cooperative Discipline is a process that will build strong partnerships with students and their parents and will maintain a positive discipline approach.

  15. Our Tools Leadership All freshmen will take a Leadership class. The objectives are to: • Explore, develop, and reinforce appropriate social behaviors. • Encourage supportive peer relationships and conflict resolution skills. • Foster communication between home and school and among members of the school community. • Facilitate students’ recognition of the impact of education on their futures. • Promote awareness of diversity and tolerance.

  16. Our Tools Leadership ….. The objectives will be to: • Undertake community service both within and outside the school (such as with the Erwin Pride Initiative). • Illustrate how government, businesses, community groups, and non-profits work together to create strong communities. • Prepare students for life transitions by developing and using ten year plans. • Promote character development, with emphasis placed on envisioning a positive future school/life outcome.

  17. Our Tools Exceptional Children Special Education services will be delivered through the “inclusion” model.

  18. Our Tools Location of Academy • The Academy will be located on the hall currently housing Social Studies. • All core classes, except Science, will be taken on the Freshman Academy hall. • Freshmen will travel down one flight of stairs to take Science classes in the existing Science labs.

  19. One administrator and one guidance counselor will be dedicated to the Freshman Academy. Bothwill be housed on the Freshman Academy hall. Our Tools Guidance & Administration

  20. Welcome to the Erwin Freshman Academy We invite you to be a part of our success!

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