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Out of the nest and into the sky, all young eagles must learn to fly..
9th Grade Academy ...What is it? (Slideshow)
The San Pasqual High School Freshman Academy will provide a structured environment for freshman students to assume the additional responsibilities and rigor necessary for academic success in high school.
The Freshman Academy seeks to actively engage incoming students to the extent that all freshmen:
-Are motivated and committed to learn
-Demonstrate positive attitudes and behaviors
-Experience positive relationships with adults on campus that provide each student with a personalized and meaningful first-year high school experience.
Rationale...
Research and best practices of high performing high schools indicate that a school's commitment to transition years is crucial to a student's academic success. The transition from middle school to high school is most successful when high schools employ strategies and resources to build solid 9th grader year.
History...
In fall of 2004 a team of teachers began to look at SPHS's freshman needs and a possible design for a freshman transition program. Members of the planning team attend a "High School Reinvention Symposium" in Washington DC and visited schools in San Diego and Los Angeles counties that have implemented successful 9th grade programs.
Component of the Freshman Academy for the 2007-2008 school year.
-9th grade students will be enrolled in 3 core courses (levels in English and mathematics will vary):
-English
-Mathematics
-Student Success Skills course 1st semester with "homeroom" characteristics and counseling focused activities. Health will be the 2nd semester course. AVID/Athletic Training may be taken in lieu of SS/Health
Students will choose 2 additional courses to meet their individual academic goals.
- Three groups of about 250 freshmen will have a core set of teachers who will have a common prep period to allow for collaboration.
- Common instructional strategies
- Community Building activities
- Academic and behavior intervention plans
- Voluntary and Mandatory tutoring programs
**members from the following departments are represented on the Freshman Academy planning team:
English, Mathematics, Health, Physical Education, AVID, ELD, Guidance and Administration
Download Cornell Notes Outline (doc format)