Our New Year's Resolution: Continue to Prepare Each Student for College and Career

Post date: Jan 01, 2014 2:47:11 PM

For many people, the new year is a great time to reflect on the past year and set goals for the upcoming year. Schools are no different. Deer Isle-Stonington High School is using the new year as an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to providing each student a quality education that prepares them for a variety of options after high school.

Every year, Deer Isle-Stonington High School develops an annual School Improvement Action Plan. The 2013-14 School Improvement Action Plan describes three goals that DISHS feels will help prepare students for both college and modern, fulfilling careers. The three goals are:

1). At least 95% of each 9th grade class will graduate with a diploma within four -plus years, and the annual dropout rate will be less than 1%;

2). All graduates will demonstrate proficiency in essential academic content like science and history as well as important 21st century skills like problem solving and communication; and

3). All students will demonstrate reading, writing, and math skills at or above their grade level and make at least a year's growth in a year's time.

Over the past four years, DISHS has seen it graduation rate steadily rise, from 57% in 2009 to 94% in 2012 and 89% in 2013. Over the same time period, test scores in reading, writing, and math have also increased, although at a less dramatic rate. The school staff is understandably proud of these positive developments, but also sees the need for continued work to ensure that all students graduate ready for all aspects of adult life. To help the school achieve its goals, the 2013-14 School Improvement Plan includes strategies to personalize learning for students, provide more hands on learning opportunities, continue to improve the existing curriculum to meet rigorous 21st century learning standards, and more frequently utilize community resources.

Hopefully this year's School Improvement Action Plan is one indicator that the school is committed to offering the very best education we can to each of our students and that everyone at DISHS is dedicated to making that plan a reality. If you would like to discuss the 2013-14 DISHS School Improvement Action Plan, please contact me at 348-2303x.11 or at toddwest@dishs.org.