Exploring Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships at Ware Junior Senior High School

Why Ware? Why Ware? Coffee and Conversation with the Principal March 12, 2015

Viewing the Ware experience Viewing the Ware experience through different lenses through different lenses According to the International Center for Leadership in Education s website, The Rigor/Relevance Framework is a tool developed by the International Center to examine curriculum, instruction, and assessment along the two dimensions of higher standards and student achievement1 The topics of rigor, relevance, and, additionally, relationships, are helpful lenses through which to view the Ware Junior Senior High School experience. 1. The International Center for Leadership in Education. Our Philosophy. Accessed March 10, 2015. http://www.leadered.com/our-philosophy/rigor-relevance-framework.php

Rigorous Coursework Rigorous Coursework Rigor speaks to the ways in which we challenge students to be college and career ready -- our primary mission. There are various measures of rigor that exist in any school, including standardized test scores, challenging course offerings, and other noteworthy achievement indicators such as AP scores. Accreditation also ensures. At present, WJSHS offers four Advanced Placement (AP) courses: Biology, Statistics, English Literature and Composition, and English Language and Composition. (Spanish in the next two years.) In addition, WJSHS offers the following honors level courses: English, Calculus, Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry, Physics.

Relevant Experiences Relevant Experiences Students need to understand the connection between what they are learning in school, and their future they need to see the relevance in order to be motivated and engaged. For students who are college-bound, the rigorous coursework that we provide will equip them with the content knowledge and skills necessary for success in higher education. For students who do not yet have a clear post-secondary vision, there are aspects of the daily student experience that are applicable to all. This is their workplace! Over the next several years, WJSHS will attempt to put in place additional elective course offerings that will help make the experience feel more relevant to more students. Several Current Electives: Biotechnology, Sci-Tech, Film, Psychology, Sociology, Government and Civics, Coding (2015), Drama (2015), Personal Finance, Marketing, Internships/Externships

Relevant Experiences Relevant Experiences Extracurricular opportunities engage students beyond traditional academics. Sports Football, golf, soccer, volleyball, basketball, softball, baseball, cheering. National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, As Schools Match Wits Student Council, Junior High School Leadership Council, Class Officers High School Advisory Offerings Domestic Violence Taskforce, Video Game Creation, Recycling, Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Weight Training, Current Events, GSA, Sports Management, Math Help, Competitive Debating, Academic Assistance/Preparatory Skills, Student Publications

Meaningful Relationships Meaningful Relationships Simply put, students need instructors who care. Smaller class sizes, combined with the 84 minute block in the high school, allow for more individualized student/teacher interactions. Relationships help reinforce expectations. Similar to hooks, relationships keep students motivated and engaged. The recent WPS video at the Ware Business and Civic Association is a testament to the power of relationships . (View at www.wareps.org.) At the end of the day, it s the not the quality of the instructional materials or even the physical plant that truly determines the quality of the education; it s the quality of the instructor and their ability to forge positive relationships. Every adult is a role model!

Results: Preparing College Results: Preparing College and Career Ready Graduates and Career Ready Graduates 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Class Enrollment 66 56 67 59 79 53 58 57 Four year colleges 52% 32% 40% 44% 36% 36% 42% 31% Two year colleges 29% 46% 42% 37% 39% 36% 48% 48% Armed forces 9% 2% 3% 7% 4% 4% 0 4% Work force 10% 16& 13% 12% 21% 24% 7% 15% Tech School 0% 2% 2% 0% 0% 0% 3% 2% Prep School 2

StudentS prepared for StudentS prepared for American International College, Anna Maria College, Arizona State U., Assumption College, Bay Path College, Becker College, Bennington College, Boston University, Bridgewater State U., Champlain College, Clark University, Curry College, Dean College, Duquesne U., Elms College, Emmanuel College, Endicott College, Fitchburg State U., Framingham State U., Franklin Pierce U., Hampshire College, Quinnipiac University, Quinsigamond C. C., Rensselaer, Rochester Institute of Technology, Roger Williams U., Salve Regina, Salem State U., S. Vermont College, Suffolk U., Springfield College, Smith College, Springfield Tech. C.C., St. Anselm College, St. John s U., St. Michael s College, Stonehill College, SUNY/Albany, Syracuse U., Temple U., University of Connecticut, University of Hartford, University of Maine, University of Massachusetts @ Amherst, @ Dartmouth, @ Lowell, University of Maine at Farmington, University of New England, University of New Haven, University of Rhode Island., University of South Carolina, University of North Carolina @ Chapel Hill, U. of Texas @ El Paso, Virginia Tech., Wentworth Institute of Tech., West Carolina U., Western New England U., Westfield State U., Wheelock College, W.P.I., Worcester State U.,

Performance Data Gr. 10 Math 2013 Gr. 10 Math 2014 70% Percentage of Students Grade 10 2013-2014 MCAS Math 60% 56% 51% 50% 40% 15% increase in Proficient 9% decrease in Warning/Failing (WJSHS is Level 2) 31% 30% 18% 20% 16% 16% 11% 10% 2% 0% Advanced Proficient Needs Warning/Failing Improvement

Performance Data Gr. 10 ELA 2013 Gr. 10 ELA 2014 70% 67% 63% Percentage of Students 60% Grade 10 ELA 2013-2014 MCAS ELA 50% 40% 14% increase in Advanced 12% decrease in Needs Improvement (WJSHS is Level 2) 33% 30% 19% 20% 12% 10% 4% 2% 0% 0% Advanced Proficient Needs Warning/Failing Improvement