Vermilion High School Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships: Transitioning Students to the 9th Grade

Vermilion High School Vermilion High School

Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships:

Transitioning Students to the 9th Grade

History of VHSHistory of VHS

The past …

What challenges have we faced?

How have we overcome adversity?

Vision QuestionsVision Questions

• What do we expect all students to know and be able to do?

• How do we assess students’ work and performances?

• What are we doing for students who do not meet our expectations?

Measures of SuccessMeasures of Success

• Increased graduation rates

• Increased attendance rates

• Increased OGT passing rates ( all 5 areas)

• Lower freshman failure rates

• State Recognition for Excellence – 6 years

• National Gold Award from HSTW

Academic RigorAcademic Rigor

• Has the student taken the most challenging course load?

• Has the student performed well in these courses?

• Has the student taken advantage of activities at VHS?

Block SchedulingBlock Scheduling

• Implemented in

1999 – 2000

• 4 X 4 block schedule

• 90-minute blocks

• Possible to earn 8 credits per year

Graduation RequirementsGraduation Requirements

EnglishMathScienceSocial Studies Health / Phys. Ed.Computer Applications ICareer ExplorationElectives

CREDITS443311½

9 ½26 TOTAL

CREDITS

Math DepartmentMath Department

Graduation RecognitionGraduation Recognition

• Award of Merit

• Honors Diploma

• Diploma of Distinction

28 or more credits

Educational OptionsEducational Options

• Honors classes• AP courses• Independent Study

Projects• Teacher Directed Seminars• Humanities –

interdisciplinary course

• OCEAN classes• On-Site PSEO courses• Off-campus PSEO courses

Career Pathways and Course GuideCareer Pathways and Course Guide

Arts &

Communications

Business

& Management

Career Pathways and Course GuideCareer Pathways and Course Guide

HealthServices

Human Services

Career Pathways and Course GuideCareer Pathways and Course Guide

Industrial & Engineering

Systems

Natural Resources

General descriptionGeneral description

• List of Career Options• Professional Careers• Technical Careers• Entry-level Careers

• Recommended Schedules• General Electives• Career Cluster Electives

Departments and Course OfferingsDepartments and Course Offerings

Over 100 course offerings at

VHS to meet the individual

needs

of our students.

Additional Information …Additional Information …

• 4-year Plan Worksheet• Activities Record Worksheet

• Description of Student Activities• EHOVE Career Center

• Quick Reference Guide• Ohio College Directory

School Profile ReportSchool Profile Report

• Community background

• Enrollment data

• Faculty information

School Profile ReportSchool Profile Report

• Graduation requirements

• Grading scale

• Class rank data

• Graduation class profile

• ACT and SAT data

Academic RigorAcademic Rigor

What are the most rigorous

courses offered at Vermilion

High School?

RelevanceRelevance

Question: Why is this relevant? Why should our students find meaning in the educational

process?

Answer: Education transfers to more opportunities, more income and a better lifestyle!

Introducing …ME!Introducing …ME!

• Position as the 9th grade counselor• Transition

• Liaison

• Vermilion graduate and resident• Connections

• Repeat caseload every 3 years

Middle School TransitionMiddle School Transition

• Classroom presentations

• Career Pathways and Course Guide

• Scheduling process

• Freshmen Orientation (February)

• Academic showcase

• Meet with Dept. Heads

• Share advice from current ninth graders

8th Grade Scheduling8th Grade Scheduling

• Middle school & high school counselors

• Individual appointments (20 mins.)

• Parent, child and counselor

• 2:30 - 8:30 for 2 weeks

Freshmen OrientationFreshmen Orientation

• February evening

• Parent/student

• Scheduling appointments

• Academic showcase• Dept. chair• Meet & greet

Evening appointmentsEvening appointments

• Parent, child and counselor

• Appointments held at Student Services Office in the high school

Success 101Success 101

• Goals

• Process

• Guidelines

• Teachers

• Counselor

• Parents

• Student

Goals of Success 101Goals of Success 101

• Increase attendance• Increase GPA• Increase OGT scores• Increase positive

behavior• Increase self-esteem

Success 101Success 101

• Clever Family

• Designed from middle school teaming

• Student led conferences

• Focus on learning

• IQ scores

Progress BookProgress Book

• Parent access

• Student access

• Counselor access

RelationshipsRelationships

VERMILION HIGH SCHOOLADVISOR/ADVISEE

PROGRAMT.A.G.

TEACHER ADVISER GROUPS

WE BELIEVE THAT…WE BELIEVE THAT…

every student deserves…

• to be surrounded by a culture of high expectations.

• to have a rich array of educational and career options.

• to have a rigorous curriculum within a supportive environment.

RESEARCHRESEARCH

Students were:

With Adviser Program

Without Adviser Program

Encouraged to take more mathEncouraged to take more math 49% 28%

Encouraged to take more scienceEncouraged to take more science 59% 28%

Provided information about Provided information about further educationfurther education

83% 67%

Aided in developing self-awarenessAided in developing self-awareness 85% 53%

Labeling their school as having a Labeling their school as having a caring climatecaring climate

80% 41%

StudentsStudents• More frequent one-on-one advice

• Clearer focus on their future and a plan for getting there

• Increased enrollment in higher-level academic courses

• More timely help for students with problems

• Improved performance

ParentsParents• Become more involved

• Know there is someone with a strong interest in their child

• Know there is a contact that knows their child

• Have a better understanding of the need for higher-level courses

TeachersTeachers• Better understand the school’s program of

study and graduation requirements

• Develop stronger connection with T.A.G. students

• Learn to work as a team

• See students from a new perspective

CollegeEdCollegeEd• High school college and career

planning program

• Helps students make a connection to learning and college

CollegeEdCollegeEd• Every student deserves to be college ready.

• COLLEGE (def.) after high school education / training;

i.e. 4-year university2-year universityvocational / technical programsapprenticeship programsother training programs

CollegeEd and TAGCollegeEd and TAG

• Activities in TAG• Learning styles• Time management• Career interests inventories

• CollegeED helps tie all these things together; provides consistency and flow

GOALS OF COLLEGE EDGOALS OF COLLEGE ED

• Increase students’ and parents’ knowledge about the college process

• Increase number of students attending college

• Create a college-going culture

• More information: www.collegeboard.com/counselors/

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN STUDENTS

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN STUDENTS

• Improve the culture of the building

• Realize that transition is marked with emotional stress and anxiety

• Use the upperclassmen to deliver the model

FRESHMAN ORIENTATION

DAY

Freshman:Class of 2011

& Juniors and Seniors

Freshmen QuoteFreshmen Quote

“The leaders did a good job of getting us to know them and each other. I wasn’t nervous on the first day.”

Jackie S.

Freshmen QuoteFreshmen Quote

“Freshmen Orientation was very interesting. It helped me learn about my school and classes. The Link Crew Leaders were very detailed and showed me around the building. I know I can talk to them if I need help. I was glad to start school.”

Brittany C.

Freshmen QuoteFreshmen Quote

“I had an excellent experience at Orientation. I had so much fun. When I am a junior, I plan on being a link crew member.”

Russ T.

Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships:Transitioning Students

to the 9th Grade

Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships:Transitioning Students

to the 9th Grade

Rigor

RelationshipsRelevance

Administrative ReflectionsAdministrative Reflections

• Selling the school• Finding something for

everybody• Programs or

Relationships ?• Building culture

Vermilion High School Vermilion High School

Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships:Transitioning Students

to the 9th Grade

Contact information:Vermilion High School 1250 Sanford Street

Vermilion Ohio

(440) 204 – 1700www.vermilionschools.org

Vermilion High SchoolVermilion High SchoolMike Colatruglio, Principal

mcolat@leeca.org

Laura Stubblebine, School Counselor

lstubb@leeca.org

Elane Mattmuller, School Counselor

emattm@leeca.org

Tim Lamb, School Counselortlamb@leeca.org