Classical Academy a new success in old-school setting

LYNN – When structural damage at Classical High School forced freshmen out of the building and into the Fecteau-Leary School on North Common Street two years ago, faculty and administration were concerned at how the move would affect academics and behavior among students.Now as the school’s second and largest class of ninth-graders rounds the corner and heads for the home stretch this year, staff at the Classical Freshman Academy, as it is now known, are boasting several areas of success and are hoping that the academy will continue to exist in some form when freshmen return to the main building next fall.From the bi-weekly morning newscasts to the contests and projects inspiring students in all classroom subjects, the academy has by all accounts succeeded in its goal – to provide a safe, academically thriving school that isn’t too disconnected with the main building across town.”(Classical Principal Warren White) made it a point that it is not a student or their family’s fault that they have been dislodged to another building,” said Academy Principal Judith Taylor. “These students have the same electives and honors classes that are offered at the other building and they are given the same opportunities.”But it is not the equal programs or the connection with O’Callaghan Way that has necessarily made the school so successful. For Taylor, it is following a freshman academy model that works and having a caring, disciplined staff to work with the students to help them improve.With dropout rates and behavioral problems typically higher among high school freshman, and growing class sizes at larger schools preventing the personalized help that some students need, Taylor says one of the best results to come from the academy is an ability to set students on the right track before it is too late.”Ninth grade is such a pivotal year – the transition to high school is tough and the students have a lot of adolescent issues,” she said. “Freshman year is the highest year for dropouts, it is about keeping them in school and making it work for them. If you walk around the halls you would have no idea that there are 300-plus students working hard in here. There is less disruption in the corridors, there is no interaction with older students they may not be used to yet and they are able to form relationships with the teachers.”While helping every student individually is important, the academy model has especially helped high-risk students who are at risk for dropout or failure because teachers can provide extra attention.”This is a comforting place for students,” Taylor said. “You can bump into a teacher in the hall and they will know your name and ask how your mom is doing. Multiple teachers will stay for extra help. We also just had 14 kids sign up to be tutors.”Along with academic success, students are also getting in less trouble. Taylor says suspensions and detentions are way down at the academy, and attendance is at an all-time high, as on most days, only one or two students miss school.Students at the academy are encouraged to enjoy school in many different ways. In Edward Palmeira’s geometry class, a project which involved designing soccer balls had students so interested that he was having students show up early to class and stay late at the end of the day. Some students were so into their work before school that he says he even had to remind them that they are still kids and it is OK to socialize with one another in their free time.Other students can be inspired through assemblies, such as the motivational speaker that Taylor brings in each year in an effort to inspire some students who aren’t necessarily enthralled with the classroom.”You never know who you are hitting,” she said. “But that is your goal. If you don’t try to reach every student in some way, you are not doing your job. They might as well throw away the paycheck.”Taylor and White are hoping to continue the success and positive energy when the freshman come back to O’Call