Not just class as usual anymore

• Why has Johnson High School decided to create academies?

The development of smaller learning communities is a district-wide initiative for St. Paul Public Schools.  This initiative is called the Blueprint for Better High Schools.  The goal of the Blueprint is that by 2004, "every student in our seven large high schools will be part of a smaller learning community that connects students to a small group of peers and at least one caring educator throughout their high school career." (Blueprint for Better High Schools, St. Paul Public Schools)

After two years of study and reflection, Johnson High School administration and staff has determined that dividing the students and teachers into eight academies based on areas of interest is the best method to achieve the goals of the initiative.  To date, Johnson has received $1.1 million in grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education to help us in this work.

• How will creating academies help Johnson students?

Research strongly supports the advantages of grouping students in smaller schools.  250-350 students per school is the optimal target size in most of the research.  Academies will promote student success by eliminating anonymity among students, fostering multi-year relationships between students and adults, and creating for students to take ownership of their learning.

• Why is there such emphasis on building relationships?

Studies indicate that students who don't form close, caring relationships with their teachers or their peers are more likely to lose interest in school, achieve at levels below their potential and, in too many cases, drop out altogether.  We need to know our students.  The better we know them, the more likely they will conform to our expectations, and the more likely we will recognize their strengths and weaknesses.

• Why did Johnson choose these particular academies?

The process began with an analysis of the survey from the sophomore PLAN test which reviewed strong student interest in certain areas.  Students, staff and community focus groups then banded together to provide support for these particular academies.  Accordingly, school site visits by Johnson administration, staff and students to successful programs in South Grand Prairie, Texas and Portland, Oregon, further encouraged the decision to organize Johnson into the following 8 academies:

·         Architecture, Engineering and Design Academy

·         Arts, Communication and Humanities Academy

·         Business, Marketing and Management Academy

·         Education and Human Services Academy

·         Freshman FOCUS Academy

·         Health Sciences Academy

·         Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation Academy

·         Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Academy

• When will this plan be implemented?

This plan is currently being implemented with the class of 2006 being the first to fully utilize it.  To give you an understanding of how the program operated for the class of 2006, here is a brief synopsis:  In the fall of 2002, all freshmen entered the Freshman Academy and by the fourth quarter every ninth grader had successfully completed the Freshman FOCUS Academy course.  As sophomores, the class of 2006 entered one of seven academies and completed that academy's Foundations course.  At that time, each sophomore was placed with an academy teacher who acted as his or her mentor.  With the help of their mentors, the sophomores created an electronic portfolio that they added to throughout their remaining high school years.  Each student's academy work then culminated with the Senior Project which was to be completed in the spring of 2006.

• How will the new academy structure increase the academic rigor of the school?

One reason for creating academies is to raise the level of expectations for all students.  Our current graduation requirements will be gradually increased to reflect student achievements in academies.  For example, the Senior Project will demand each student's best performance to meet expectations.

• How will our college-bound students be better prepared for post-secondary education?

Not only will college-bound students have the same opportunities that they currently have (Advanced Placement, College in the Schools, Post-Secondary Enrollment Options), but their education will be enhanced that much more by additional opportunities for independent learning and additional control over their personal education plan.  All students, including college-bound students, will benefit from a curriculum that supports integrated academies and projected-based learning.

• When will students select their academies?

Students choose their academies in the spring of their freshman year as they register for their sophomore classes.

• Will there be non-academy courses offered yet?

Yes.  While all teachers and students will belong to an academy of their choice, students will continue to have access to the entire curriculum offered at Johnson and will be able to choose their elective classes based on interest.  For example, any student may elect to take a world language, music, art or journalism class regardless of their academy designation.

• Why is there a Freshman FOCUS Academy?

This is to ensure that freshmen are able to make a smooth transition to high school.  All freshmen take the FOCUS class which will help them to choose the academy that best meets their interests.  All freshmen will also participate in a series of symposia designed to make their transition to high school less overwhelming.