Letter: Teacher responds to questions about school’s academy

As a member of the faculty at San Benito High School, and a member of the community I have been asked a lot about 9th grade academy. Since the 8th graders have been scheduling for classes and many students are being told they need to take the class. I think there is a misconception of what the class is and I feel the need to correct that. The 9th grade academy class started about six years ago in an attempt to help those students who needed just a little more help to get them to succeed in high school. Students who are really struggling have other intervention classes such as Read 180, or Algebra Support, but there was a group of kids in the middle who had good attendance, but were not being successful in class. For the first five years there was one section, and then last year a second section was added. This fall the decision was made to expand the program to seven sections (approximately 200 students) taught by four teachers, myself, Adam Breen, Tim Hammer and Belena Lominaria. The results from the first semester were phenomenal. A cummulitive G.P.A. of 2.9, over 90% academically eligible (a 2.0 with no more than 1 F), and over 80% passing all of their classes. The F rate was even better with over 1,000 grades issued to the students and only 22 total F’s. 2 students had 4.0 G.P.A. and about 40% on the honor roll (a 3.0 or higher). The class is designed to provide help to students with their homework and we do extra support with algebra, English and earth science, but I think the greatest part of the class has to do with socialization of the students. We use Steven Covey’s “The seven habits of highly effective teens” as our textbook. We do a unit in personal finance, assist students with the process of getting a driver’s licence, do a unit where they fill out a job application, resume, and even do a mock job interview. We assist kids in getting out for sports, clubs and other school activities, and provide a platform for being fully assimilated into Baler life. Most students take the class for one year, and then flourish, there is a section of 10th grade academy and some kids elect to take it also. The myth that you can’t go to college if you take the class is ridiculous. This year for the first time many students who have succeeded in algebra will be allowed to take geometry during summer school and can take algebra 2 as 10th graders. Many of our students go on to take advanced courses their 10, 11th and 12th grade years. The graduation rate for academy kids is very high. But perhaps the greatest testimony to the class is in the actions of the students. When you check their attendance records, the day they have academy their attendance is significantly higher than the days they don’t. Most kids have 0 days absent on their academy day, while they may have three on the non-academy days. I invite any questions parents may have about the program. Just email me at rl****@sb***.us.
Randy Logue, Hollister