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I was one of two science teachers on the teams who piloted the Freshman Academy at Wasson High School in the 2009-2010 school year with half of the freshman class. The academy extended to all freshmen the following year, with three teams. Teams included an English teacher, a Social Studies teacher, a Science teacher and a Support Services (special education) teacher. Math teachers were not included simply for logistical reasons - unlike the other core courses, 9th graders were in various math courses ranging from basic math skills to geometry which made it difficult to sort them into the three teams.
I was one of two science teachers on the teams who piloted the Freshman Academy at Wasson High School in the 2009-2010 school year with half of the freshman class. The academy extended to all freshmen the following year, with three teams. Teams included an English teacher, a Social Studies teacher, a Science teacher and a Support Services (special education) teacher. Math teachers were not included simply for logistical reasons - unlike the other core courses, 9th graders were in various math courses ranging from basic math skills to geometry which made it difficult to sort them into the three teams.
Wasson's Freshman Academy began with a team of dedicated teachers as a "school within a school" model to help address drop-out rates, the achievement gap, and an overall lack of success of high school freshmen.
Wasson's Freshman Academy began with a team of dedicated teachers as a "school within a school" model to help address drop-out rates, the achievement gap, and an overall lack of success of high school freshmen.
A team of WHS teachers researched existing Academy models and visited sites around the country to implement the best practices into our school and provide our freshmen with the best opportunities for success. The result was this Academy. The Academy can best be summed up by the graphic to the left illustrating the core components.
A team of WHS teachers researched existing Academy models and visited sites around the country to implement the best practices into our school and provide our freshmen with the best opportunities for success. The result was this Academy. The Academy can best be summed up by the graphic to the left illustrating the core components.
A key component to the success of the Academy was having clear common expectations of students (see below), which were reinforced by all teachers in the Academy.
A key component to the success of the Academy was having clear common expectations of students (see below), which were reinforced by all teachers in the Academy.
Additionally, the Academy used many AVID strategies to help freshmen students be successful (http://www.avid.org/what-is-avid.ashx). Some specific strategies included Cornell Notes, Philosophical Chairs, Four Corners, Jigsaw, and WICR - Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, and Reading. AVID has since added Organization to make it WICOR.
Additionally, the Academy used many AVID strategies to help freshmen students be successful (http://www.avid.org/what-is-avid.ashx). Some specific strategies included Cornell Notes, Philosophical Chairs, Four Corners, Jigsaw, and WICR - Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, and Reading. AVID has since added Organization to make it WICOR.
Common Expectations
Common Expectations
Classroom Behaviors
School policies and regulations apply in the Academy. Those policies are as follows:
No food or drink (excluding water in a closed container) allowed in the classroom.
Electronic devices are allowed at individual teacher’s discretion (CD players, pagers, cell phones, Ipods, etc.)
Dress code will be enforced.
Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. You will receive a zero for any assignment you have cheated on or plagiarized. You will also receive a referral to the office
No profanity, insults, or language which may be perceived as disrespectful
NO passes will be given during the first or last ten minutes of class.
Refer to your handbook if you need further explanation of these policies.
In addition to school policies, the following rules need to be followed:
Be respectful! For example, sharpen your pencil while no discussion is taking place, choose your time wisely for hall passes (not in the middle of a lesson or when an assignment is being explained, unless it absolutely cannot wait)
Put all trash in the trash can
Write only on appropriate paper
Bring all materials to class every day!
Attendance Policies and Rules
The more information you miss the more difficult it is to succeed!
You are expected to be here every day on time!If you are tardy, you must have a valid Tardy Ticket in order to enter class. The school tardy policy will be followed.
Please refer to your student handbook for what constitutes Excused, Excused with Reservation/Unexcused, and Truant absences.
If you are permitted to leave the room for a bathroom break, you must have a valid pass.
Unless you are severely ill (or have a known medical condition communicated to Academy teachers through the school nurse), do not leave class without permission and a signed pass.
Assignments/Absences
Communication is important!
Please make sure all assignments have a proper heading in the upper right hand corner
Due dates are important! Late work will only be accepted if completed under the direct supervision of the individual teacher’s choice of the Intervention Period, After Hours Tutoring, Saturday Academy, and/or lunch within an intervention time period!
YOU are responsible for make-up work. On the day of your return, you need to check with a classmate for notes. You may get missed assignments from your teacher either before school, during lunch, or after school.
If you have an excused absence, you have the number of days you were absent plus one day to turn in your missed assignments unless you have made special arrangements with your teacher, ahead of the due date, because of a special circumstance.
Grades/Citizenship
Check your grades on-line.
Attendance, participation, behavior, and responsibility are considered for your citizenship grade. You and your instructor will assess your citizenship by using the T-Bird Citizenship Rubric and Self-Assessment at the end of each quarter.
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