best practices in secondary

"Seeing brilliant students that were like myself made me realize I have the same potential for success."

Yosaph Boku, Mount Vernon HS, Class of 2017, Young Scholar

When reflecting on how school practices impact Young Scholars, consider the various research-based strategies that support Young Scholars in their social-emotional and academic growth.

These strategies include:

Relationship Building
Transitional Supports (elementary to middle and middle to high)
Academic Supports
Summer Programs

FCPS Young Scholars in Action

The examples below include possible strategies to support Young Scholars implemented in FCPS

Young Scholars Honors Cohort Classes

Provide access, advocacy, and affirmation by clustering Young Scholars together in Honors classes with teachers who will nurture their potential and provide the support needed for students to succeed.

Young Scholars Middle Summer Camp

FCPS supports a limited number of Young Scholars summer programs in middle schools. The students engage in Jason Learning STEM curriculum. If your school is not one of the schools that qualifies for a centrally funded YS summer school program, your school may choose to fund the program. Curriculum training for teachers is available at the AAP Summer Institute. Contact the Summer Programs office if your school is interested in a Young Scholars summer program.

Young Scholars Summer Institute and Advisory Time (Hayfield Secondary School)

Hayfield Secondary School invites rising freshman Young Scholars to attend their summer institute. At this seminar they specifically targeted study skills that are essential to success in an AP classroom, include getting organized, note taking, study groups, and test taking strategies. All of the students that participate in this summer institute enroll in a SOAR 4 class (Homeroom). Their SOAR 4 adviser communicates with the students' teachers to track progress and concerns. During the every other day meeting time, students reflect on their current progress and focus on different skills/tasks to support them in advanced academic course.

Progress Reflection and Goal Setting (Whitman MS)

Young Scholars struggling in their coursework at Whitman MS attend quarterly reflection meetings. During this time, administrators and leadership team members review the purpose of the Young Scholars Program and motivate students with inspiring kid talks. At the end of the meeting, students reflecte on 3 questions: What can I do to support myself? What can teachers do to support me? What can Administrators, counselors, and other staff do to support me? Students record their answers and post them before they leaving. The information and recommendations from the students is shared with the students' teachers and staff to assist in supporting our Young Scholars in meeting their potential.

Peer Tutor-a-Thon (Oakton HS)

Tutor-A-Thons are one of Oakton's The Center’s prime services, providing tutoring to large groups of students at once. They are hosted once or twice every quarter after school for three hours to allow students. Tutors set up tables according to subject, and students who come in can get help with whatever subjects they need. Tutor-a-Thons are made even more successful thanks to the teachers who attend to help Oakton's students.

Freshman 101 Institute (McLean HS)

McLean High School’s Freshman 101 summer institute is a program designed to help rising 9^th grade students succeed academically and socially in high school. McLean High School teachers help jump-start the year by engaging students in fun and collaborative sessions on topics such as note-taking and study skills, time management, organization and high school life. Additionally, McLean High School’s Leadership students welcome freshman participants with a student panel, team building exercises and other group activities to help acclimate new students to McLean and to build their support network. While enrollment in the Freshman 101 summer institute is available to all rising 9^th grade students, one of the primary goals of the program is to encourage Young Scholars to attend. This year, over 150 rising freshman attended the Freshman 101 institute!

AP Bootcamp (McLean HS)

This summer, McLean High School was proud to host its second annual AP Boot Camp! AP Boot Camp is an interactive leadership conference where students discuss and practice the skills required for success in AP classes, college and in the corporate world. The program is designed for students who are enrolling in their first AP class in the fall, with an emphasis on targeting Young Scholars. Program facilitators help students develop five attributes: Teamwork, Communication, Organization, Reading, and Problem Solving. AP Boot Camp actively engages students in the development and use of these skills, while demonstrating their importance to AP-level rigor. Overall, the AP Boot Camp program was a great success and positively reviewed by the 50+ students in attendance!

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