Galena High School and the Freshmen Draft

This Friday's conversation was with Galena High School in Galena, Illinois who has a 95.9% Freshmen on-track rate for a class of 78 Freshmen.

Making sure students feel supported is a priority in Galena and they like to bring the small town feel into their building. Galena's system includes five components that has helped them be successful. First, Galena on-boards Freshmen as early as second semester of 8th grade. They host an incoming Freshmen Orientation in December followed by one on one parent meetings with the counseling department in January. Not only do students and parents start thinking about this transition, but 8th grade teachers and counselors begin talking to their 9th grade counterparts in the spring, as well.

Teachers at Galena High School have consistent grading practices and retake policies. There is a firm belief that in order for students to be successful, they need to make sure they are completing the work assigned and taking advantage of additional opportunities to build skills and demonstrate mastery by retaking assessments. Not only is the building on the same page about expectations, but they also are very intentional about making sure that every student has an adult in their corner. At the beginning of every school year, all teachers at GHS participate in a meeting where the "Freshmen Draft" occurs. At this meeting, every teacher, paraprofessional, admin team member and counselor drafts a group of freshmen that they will keep an eye on for the year. Their staff drafts students based on factors such as student interests, family connections, activity connections, etc. and commit to making sure those students have a successful year in terms of engagement, leadership and academics.

Additionally, at Galena every teacher attends a biweekly "Student Concerns Huddle" where teachers discuss behaviors of students, their social emotional progress and their academics. This allows teachers to be solution oriented and to put plans in place like contacting parents, informing draft mentors and/or asking that they get additional support during Homeroom.

Galena's homeroom has a PBIS component that is on a three week cycle. All students that have a C or higher in all classes are allowed to go home 30 minutes early allowing extra attention to those that are in need of support. Having this homeroom at the end of the day allows for flexibility where students can move from one classroom to another for support. In addition, all GHS teachers utilize a google spreadsheet where they add information regarding student needs so that other teachers can assist in implementing interventions.

For more information about these practices, reach out to Madeline Hawkins at mhawkins@gusd120.k12.il.us.


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