Hui Data: Glimmers of Hope

This past week, we had the chance to analyze some initial data related to the impact of the changes we have made in Grade 9. We are thrilled with the preliminary data in the areas of attendance, behavior and overall academic performance.  Comparing Semester 1 results for Grade 9 from 2010-2011 SY with results from Grade 9 this school year, we have noticed significant improvements:

	SY 10-11	SY 11-12
Attendance Rate	88.7%*	96.1%
Referral Rate	4.5%	2.4%
D’s & F’s	475	124

*Attendance Rate is EOY for SY 10-11 vs. Sem 1 for SY 11-12

Referral and D/F data is straight Semester 1 comparison

This data inspired the Grade 9 teachers to consider what changes were most responsible for the radical improvements. Here are their thoughts:

1. Having the Grade 9 students and teachers in close physical proximity on the lower campus for core classes has greatly improved the ability for teacher collaboration & dialogue about individual students. It has also provided the Grade 9 students with their own "home" on campus.

2. Dedicated teaching teams for English, Math, Social Studies, and Science have made a difference. Careful pairing for inclusion settings was also critical. 

3. Weekly collaboration with team members to discuss student concerns & curriculum alignment. Quarterly collaboration days with the whole team were essential. 

4. Norm implementation - teachers have agreements in the following areas:

• —Attendance policy (tardy, etc.)
• —Use of Planners
• Engrade Use
• Common Assessments
• —Common Rubrics
• Common Projects
• Weekly Tutoring Schedule & Intercession (led by core teachers/makeup work)
• Common Classroom practices (bellwork, agenda, benchmark, exit passes, etc.)

We are excited to continue & expand these practices and to share them with the Grade 10 teachers and the rest of the faculty in the service of improving teaching and learning at our school. 

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Academy Selection Update: Part 2

Over the past week, students have been carefully making their Academy and strand choices. Although we had hoped to let our students know their final placements this week, we have several students who needed more time to make a solid decision. At the same time, the students who have made their choices have been selecting the IDEAS academy as their overall first choice. This has caused us to rethink our initial breakdown of strands within academies. We are considering several alternatives and have decided to take more time to weigh options in order to garner faculty input. It is critical that our academies are balanced in the number of students (otherwise class sizes in one academy will be much larger than in the other academy), in the number of honors and special education students, and, to a lesser degree, with regards to gender. We also want as many students as possible to be placed in their first choice Academy/Strand. At the very least,  we want them to have their first choice of strand in the alternate academy. We hope to be able to let the students know which academy they are in by January 30th. The registration deadline will be moved back to February 3rd which is actually in alignment with all the other grades.  

Academy Selection Update

We have had a busy couple of weeks getting our students ready to make solid Academy Choices. Last week, students completed RIESAC surveys &  explored Hawaii's Career Kokua Web-site. They also had the chance to attend a mini-fair and an assembly highlighting our Academy choices. Students all had the chance to tour at least one strand in each academy this week. Thank you to all of the parents who turned out for our Grade 9 Parent Meeting on Monday, January 9th. The purpose of the meeting was to explain our transition to Academies and the Academy Selection Process. We also went over graduation requirements and answered questions from those in attendance.

On Thursday, January 12th, students will be asked to select rank their strand choices in each academy and to tell us what their overall first and second choices are for academy and strand. Be on the lookout for an Academy Selection Form to sign on Thursday evening! The forms are due Friday, January 13th and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Students should turn their forms into their science class teacher on Friday.

Below, please click here to enjoy a short video that our students created to provide a brief overview of our two Academies. You can also view our Academy Handbook for more information.

Academy Selection Process

Academy Selection for this year's 9th graders starts January 4th and 5th. Students in Megan Goodale's science classes will start us out in the I102 lab on Wednesday (January 4th) with Sara O'rourke's classes the following day (January 5th).

Students will complete the R.I.A.S.E.C. test to see what their Career Personality Types are and then use Career Kokua (online State of Hawaii Career Site) to complete their "SELF PORTRAIT" organizer. The self portrait asks for information based on their personality results and from investigation of two sectionas of Career Kokua's Holland Sections to help them make sense of their results.

Students will then complete their Self Portrait organizer with personal information about what is important to them and what they like to do. They will also record several career areas that were explored in their search that looked interesting.

Students will then get a brief overview about our academies and will find out what other activities will be included in the Academy Selection and Registration process.

IMPORTANT ACADEMY SELECTION & REGISTRATION DATES

Jan 4th/5th Personality & Interest Surveys and Career Kokua in Science Class

January 6th Academy FAir (Lower Campus, Lunch) / Assembly ( Gym, 5th Period)

January 9th Parent Meeting re: Academies

January 10th & 11th Academy Class Visits

January 12th Academy Selection Session in Science Classes

January 13th Signed (by parent) Academy Selection Forms Due

January 23rd Academy Plaements Announced / Registration Session

January 27th Signed Registration Forms Due

Smaller Learning Communities Snapshot

Academy Parent Meeting, January 9, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.

Attention Grade 9 Parents

Please join us for an informational parent meeting on

Monday, January 9, 2012

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Kapa'a High School Cafeteria

Come learn about Smaller Learning Communities and Registration for 2012-2013!

See you there!

Academy Frequently Asked Questions

Why are we doing Academies at Kapa’a High School?

Academies allow us to assign students to smaller groups of teachers so that teachers can get to know your child better. We believe students are ready to start focusing their talents and interests and to consider how those might play out in your education and work life after high school. Academies give students a head start. We are confident that the Academy experience will help students feel more connected to their peers, teachers and school and that they will do better in school as a result. Schools with Academies report better attendance, higher grades, and higher graduation and college going rates.

What if my child doesn’t like either of the Academies or any of the Strands?

We tried to create Academies based on our most popular programs but we also have some new programs that reflect the future of Kaua’i’s economy. We couldn’t create too many programs or we wouldn’t have enough students in each one. We tried to make sure that all sorts of students with all sorts of interests could find something they were at least a little bit interested in. If they really can’t find anything, we hope they will try something different. Who knows? They might enjoy something new!

How will my child be placed in an academy?

The curriculum coordinator and counselor will introduce students to the two Academies. Students will take career interest surveys and have the opportunity to visit academy/strand classes. Students will then rank their Academy/strand preferences, develop a compelling written argument for their choices and be placed accordingly. Every effort will be made to balance the two academies with regards to the overall number of students, gender, ethnic background and academic ability. Students will be placed in Academies first and then complete the registration forms for their particular academy.

Can students switch academies? Can they switch strands?

We hope to do an excellent job of preparing students to make a solid Academy/Strand choice. Once you are placed, there will be no switching of academies for 2012-2013. If there is room in a different strand within their academy at the time of request, a strand change may be possible. Students can switch academy for 11^th grade provided there is space in the academy and they can still complete the course sequencing for the new strand in the other academy.

What if my child doesn’t know what he/she wants be or do after high school?

We know many students will end up focusing on or working in different areas after high school. Academies aren’t like majors. They are just a series of 3-4 classes in one area over the next three years in an area that interests them now so that their classes are more interesting and they can learn about possible jobs in that area. All students will still take all the regular English, Math, Science, Social Studies classes and electives – their classes will just integrate some of the Academy themes so it’s hopefully more interesting. Students will be prepared to study & pursue whatever you like after high school.

Who can help my child make a good choice?

Ms. Christensen, Ms. Pemberton, your child’s teachers and/or any other adult they feel comfortable talking to on campus will be able to help. The Academy coordinators are also good people to talk to (Mr. Costa, Ms. Quinones, Ms. Schwarze, Ms Kitamura). Try to discourage your child from making their decision based on what their friends are taking unless they have similar interests.

Can my child still take honors and AP courses? What about foreign language, arts classes and JROTC?

Yes, honors classes will be offered in and/or for both academies. Students from both academies can sign up for elective classes such as foreign language, arts, music, JROTC, physical education, etc. For some classes, students in specific strands will have preference.

How can I learn more about Academies at Kapa’a High School?

You can learn more by visiting the Kapa’a High SLC Blog via our main web site or at and/or by contacting the Grade 9 counselor Ms. Terri Christensen at ext. 133 or our SLC Coordinator, Lisa Mireles at ext 232. You can also attend a parent meeting on January 9, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in our cafeteria!