Brandon Schools – The Class of 2008 will be more prepared at the end of their high school journey, says high school counselor Terri Santavicca-Hughes, thanks to the success of a program reflected in the Class of 2003.
‘The (2003) seniors were calm, they had the credits they needed and we are realizing the freshman orientation program is paying off,? Hughes said.
Four years ago the district began an orientation program for freshmen that focused on middle school students choosing career path oriented classes. With funding from a Career Preparation Systems Grant, the district was able to employ a motivational speaker, Craig Turnquest from Indiana who begins working with the eighth grade students in February.
‘His emphasis to the students is that starting high school is an exciting time,? said Hughes.
‘He’s fabulous and the kids absolutely love him. Going from the middle school to the high school is huge. So we tried to focus on working with them to get them on the right track, right off the bat.?
Counselors then administer and review a career pathway questionnaire to encourage students to think about what subjects spark their interests.
Answers accumulated from the questionnaire guide both the student and counselor to a four year academic architectural template called the Educational Development Plan.
‘As soon as the students set their goal this gives them the required classes they will need and then they choose their electives,? said James Whitbread, school counselor.
‘The first year of the plan is essential and then in the subsequent years the schedule can be adjusted, or mapped out throughout high school.
‘Realizing they may change their minds,? Whitbread said. ‘There are academic overlays in the class schedule structure.?
‘Kids get to pick their pathway in that they decide their EDP level,? Whitbread said.
In March of their eighth grade year the students attend a freshmen orientation activity fair at the high school. One with their parents and a second without.
In addition to an exceptional emphasis on parental involvement through the student’s high school years, Hughes said the focus of the fair, according to Hughes is to acclimate the students with both the school layout as well as extra curricular activities available throughout their high school years.
Hughes said this is also an opportunity for upperclassmen to endorse or promote the various clubs students may want to involve themselves in.
So far the orientation has offered an exceptional focus since its inception because Hughes said the 2003 graduating seniors were the result of the pilot program offered to eighth graders, more than four year ago.
This past May those former freshman graduated from Brandon with an exceptionally high percentage of the students going on to higher education selections, according to Hughes.
‘A lot more students came in with a career path chosen and 86 percent of the 2003 graduates went on to college, said Hughes.