ABCD University High School An alternative high school operating in partnership with the Boston Public Schools. Annual Report School Year 2010-2011
About University High School Structure: UHS functions dually as a community-based alternative school at ABCD and a BPS high school. All students are enrolled jointly in UHS and their home BPS high school, and earn a BPS diploma upon graduation. All academic requirements are aligned with MA Curriculum Frameworks and state-wide graduation standards. BPS provides UHS with funding and 5 teachers. Students For over 20 years, University High School has enrolled at-risk students age 16-21 who struggle in traditional public high school settings. Particular emphasis is placed upon serving the needs of low-income students who are overage and/or under-credited. UHS also focuses on providing services to re-engage dropouts. Mission UHS partners with students who have faced educational challenges to reconnect them with a love for learning, and provides a caring and personalized school culture in which they can thrive. Students will graduate as lifelong learners with the knowledge, skills, support and desire to achieve their goals in education, career, and civic participation. Academics UHS employs a Boston Public Schools academic curriculum focusing on core requirements combined with projectbased assignments and portfolio development to build students real-world leadership and communication skills. UHS emphasizes MCAS and college preparation, and enables graduates to earn a BPS diploma. Supportive Services Academic coursework is combined with intensive, individual case management services to address personal and family barriers to school success. Professional case managers provide counseling, guidance, and job-skill resource connections to ensure access to continuing education and employment. Student goal setting is an integral aspect of supportive service delivery, and each student works with staff to establish and work towards individual objectives. Tailored learning plans and scheduling supports the achievement of these goals.
A Continuum of Youth Services University High School is an integral component of Boston s youth service landscape, which offers a variety of educational and employment resources for low-income, at risk teens and young adults. UHS enjoys collaborative and referral relationships with a number of ABCD and external community organizations with which it partners. In the Community: The Boston Youth Service Network (BYSN) : BYSN serves at-risk youth by creating linkages between work and learning and re-engaging disconnected youth with essential programs. Members include ABCD, EDCO, El Centro de Cardinal, Boston Asian YES, Hull Lifesaving Museum, YouthBuild Boston, Hyde Square Task Force and Sociedad Latina. Boston Private Industry Council (PIC): Boston PIC provides support for youth jobs through funding and the cultivation of relationships with worksites, as well as collaboration on youth employment research projects. Boston Public Schools (BPS): BPS offers an array of resources for UHS students, including enrichment opportunities through its Unified School Services department. At ABCD: Ostiguy High School (OHS): OHS offers rigorous academic programming and supportive services for teens recovering from substance abuse. SummerWorks: SummerWorks is ABCD s summer youth employment program that offers hands-on job experience, academic supports, and case management teens across Boston. Career Explorations: Career Explorations offers youth employment and enrichment opportunities during the school year. At community worksites in every neighborhood of the city. Above (Left to Right): 2010 SummerWorks participants outside of ABCD Central Offices; Summer Math and Science students receive assistance in class; Career Explorations participant Remy S. explains a plant to visitors to the Franklin Park Coalition, where he was employed in Spring 2010.
UHS by the Numbers 76 students were enrolled at University High School in 2010-2011. 81% of seniors graduated in 201o. 100 youth were on the UHS waiting list in September 2010. 6 teachers, 3 full-time case managers, and an Academic Support Coordinator are employed at University High School. A 25:1 student to case manger ratio enables delivery of intensive support services. Per-student cost was approximately $7,200.
Academic Excellence UHS runs on the BPS calendar and provides a life-skills focused and project based curriculum that is aligned with Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and graduation standards. Academic progress is supported through alternative assessments, innovative structures and schedules that enable accelerated graduation for off-track students. UHS encourages learning outside of the classroom, through connection to other ABCD and community-based resources for work and education. Foundation elements of UHS rigorous academic programming include: Small class sizes that never exceed a 15:1 student to teacher ratio After-school and summer resources for credit recovery, tutoring, and standardized test and college preparation Individualized schedule and educational plan for each student Individualized MCAS preparation targeting each student s skill gaps Accelerated credit recovery and digital curriculum options for offtrack students to facilitate on-time graduation Academic work is put to real world use through student internships or paid, part time employment facilitated through ABCD s Career Explorations program. Career and college linkages are also provided to students through college tours each spring, and participating in the annual BYSN Youth Showcase which offers students a chance to show off their creative ad academic work to potential employers.. Above: A UHS class poses with their World History instructor. Left: Students in UHS English class
Specialized Programs Math and Science Remediation UHS offers specialized instruction in core math and science classes for off-track or below-grade learners. Offered in collaboration with ABCD s Ostiguy High School, this program also provides targeted math and science MCAS preparation, tutoring, and peer learning groups and homework clubs. The program partners with area colleges and community organizations, like Suffolk University, Emerson College, UMass Boston, AmeriCorps, and more, to facilitate additional mentoring and academic support services for teen enrollees. In 2011, 67% of MSR students passed the MCAS exam; 56% improved their Math or Science grade, and 80% improved their attendance record. UHS Summer School University High School offers a summer credit acceleration program for approximately 90 students each summer. The program, which offers core curriculum courses, is delivered through a hybrid model combining in-class and online instruction. The summer program prioritized enrollment for seniors with potential, for August graduation and off-track students who, with credit recovery, can move on to the next grade in Fall. UHS Summer School has an overall completion rate of 94%. Above: a UHS Summer School students work at a computers. Right: Math and Science remediation instruction during Summer 2011
Contextual Learning Portfolios In order to graduate, each UHS student must prepare and present a comprehensive portfolio of their academic and creative accomplishments. The purpose of this portfolio is to showcase high quality work products, incorporate student reflection into the learning and planning processes, and teach students to manage the production of a publication. Each portfolio includes academic work; job readiness materials including a resume and letters of reference; a career and higher education plan; and written reflections on each piece of academic work included. Jobs and Internships All UHS students are strongly encouraged to participate in year-round employment opportunities through ABCD s Career Explorations and SummerWorks programs. UHS also works with community partners to make internships available to students. These experiences complement the academic, employment, and life skills developed at UHS, and provide income support and work experience that strengthens resumes and college applications. Above: A UHS student at her Career Explorations job at a Boston biotechnology firm. Below: Accepting her UHS certificate from UHS Principal Melissa Malone-Sanjeh and ABCD VP for Workforce Development Mark Isenburg. Seminars The UHS curriculum includes seminars on a variety of topics related to health, the arts, current events, and technology. Most seminars are organized and presented in collaboration with community partners like the Adolescent Wellness Center, Asian Task Force Against Dating Violence, and BPS Unified School Services. These opportunities for learning round out UHS academic and support services, and teach life skills students will need as independent young adults. University High gives me opportunities-like an internship that mean a lot to my future. - UHS Student Stephanie Boudreau, age 18
Supportive Services Many UHS students face challenges that are not only academic, but also personal. Some live at or below the poverty line, have a history of court involvement, or are raising a child of their own. UHS addresses these barriers to ensure that each student can access college and career. Student Case Plan Case managers and individual students work together to create and implement a Case Plan, which identifies goals and appropriate services for basic skills attainment and work readiness. A variety of assessments, support service need inventories, and counseling sessions inform the development of the Case Plan, and student input is critical to its revision and evaluation. The Case Plan also contain assessments of basic and work readiness skills, goals, case notes and plans for follow up services. Staff Conferencing Staff meet weekly to discuss students, their achievements, barriers and treatment plans including individual responsibilities. Teachers and case managers alike are aware of each individual student s situation and the plan for addressing that situation. Any new information of Case Plan progress is shared with the entire team during case conferences, and all staff have input, along with the student, into any adjustments to the Case Plan. Right: 2011 summer school students Left: students receive assistance during an online college search workshop. Above: UHS Math teacher Kelly E. congratulates a 2011 graduate Follow-up Services UHS staff facilitates ongoing progress toward Case Plan goals by providing follow-up for all students, and offering support for transitions to another high school, college, training, and employment. Follow-up emphasizes connection to other youth-serving institutions, and especially to ABCD s Career Explorations program, which offers an array of services for youth and families. Follow-up is conducted through counseling sessions held at UHS, monthly phone calls, alumni events, and via social networking sites and monthly letters. While Case Managers generally lead follow-up efforts, teachers and other staff are often involved. At University High, the close relationship between students, teachers, and staff helps me focus on my education and success in my studies. - UHS student Ian Powell, age 20
Student Profile University High School is characterized by a diverse student population, but also one facing multiple risk factors. Through intensive academic can support services, these students forge a path towards not only graduation, but college and career. Basic demographic data covering overall enrollment over time shows that most UHS students are female, almost twothirds are non-hispanic, and just over half are black. Data related to risk factors shows that 85% of UHS students have household incomes at of below the federal poverty level, and almost three-quarters of students lived in single-parent households. 97% of students were between age 18-21, indicating that many are over-age and in need of credit recovery and acceleration to graduate on time or at all.
Outcomes The aim of all UHS academic and supportive services is to enable student graduation, college enrollment, and job obtainment. In 2010: 39% of graduates immediately entered college 29% found full-time employment 5% entered an advanced vocational training program 8% returned to their home school 63.16 Graduation Rates, 2006-2010 BPS UHS 75 72.88 82.86 70.59 59.1 57.9 59.9 61.4 63.2 Above: ABCD Executive Vice President Sharon Scott-Chandler congratulates 2011 UHS graduates. Below: 2011 UHS graduates pose after the ceremony 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 UHS strives to make graduation a reality for each student, and dedicated resources to ensuring that off-track students get the support they need to graduate with their class. For many students, UHS Summer School and Math and Science Remediation programs are the difference between a diploma and dropping out. When we finally found ABCD University High School, they were able to give her credit recovery, mesh her existing credits, re-inspire her, and build her self-confidence and self esteem. Now she s going to Suffolk University! - Laurie-Anne Fay, Mother of 2011 UHS Graduate Nicole
Innovating UHS In February 2011, University High School s initial prospectus for transition into an Innovation School was approved by the Boston Public Schools. If final designation is awarded, UHS will expand to serve 200 students and implement key strategies to support at-risk youth: Individualized learning plans and a Skills Institute to ensure basic academic proficiency for all students An extended learning day and year-round academic programming Targeted instruction for English Language Learners and students with learning disabilities Expanded case management services to help students address challenges Policies that require student accountability and progress toward graduation A focus on workforce preparedness and college readiness Youth, family and community involvement in school operations and governance Promotion of values for leadership, teamwork, achievement, and responsibility. What is an Innovation School? An Innovation School is a Boston Public School model designed to improve student achievement and school performance through increased administrative autonomy and curricular flexibility. Innovation School concept is modeled after BPS pilot schools. Right (top to bottom): A 2011 summer school student works on math homework; 2011 UHS graduate Stephanie Paredes interviews a classmate for Boston s Neighborhood News Network; 2011 Math and Science remediation students pose at UHS.
Support ABCD University High School and the Youth Services Department would like to thank all of its public, private, and community supporters who provide unwavering guidance and opportunity for Boston s at-risk youth. Arbor Counseling US Administration for Children and Families After School Out of School Time Initiative Boston College School of Social Work Boston Housing Authority Boston Partners in Education Boston Private industry Council Boston Public Schools Boston Scientific Boston Youth Service Network Bunker Hill Community College US Department of Health and Human Services US Department of Labor Eastern Nazarene College Liberty Mutual Mayor s Office of Jobs and Community Services MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Northeastern University Foundation Year State Street Bank Suffolk University Yawkey Foundation Youth Opportunity Center
ABCD University High School An alternative high school operating in partnership with the Boston Public Schools Syvalia Hyman III ABCD Board Chair John Drew ABCD President and CEO Sharon Scott-Chandler ABCD Executive Vice President Mark Isenburg ABCD Vice President for Workforce Development and ITS Melissa Malone Sanjeh ABCD University High School Principal