New Models for Schools Show Promise for Urban Areas
Eddie Perry
Issue date: 4/3/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Students at the Washington Jesuit Academy (WJA) in Northeast Washington arrive at 7:30 a.m. and leave school after a requisite study hall at 7:30 p.m. The school day includes recess, announcements, several breaks, a regular day of school, and a 2-hour study hall. It has been wildly successful and the students, mostly low-income African Americans, have shown immense progress.
The Nativity-Miguel Model, popularized by the Washington Jesuit, is a new model for schools that may provide solutions to the ubiquitous educational achievement gap in public schools throughout Detroit and America.
Brian Ray, WJA's Director of Operations and Communications, explains, "The majority of entering WJA sixth graders read at a third grade level and 95 percent graduate at or above eighth grade level." He also notes, "If you fall behind in reading early on, it is very difficult to keep up to speed in various other subjects."
To boost students' reading levels and overall aptitude, WJA requires that all students take a Reading class and a Language Arts class. Students two or more grade levels behind enroll in a Reading Supplement class.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2005 Report shows that for American eighth graders, only 51 percent of low income students achieved basic scores on the math portion of the NAEP, contrasted to 79 percent of middle and high income students. By race, 42 percent of black students, 52 percent of Latino students, and 80 percent of white students earned at least basic scores.
The United States has a long history of trying to tackle this far-reaching gap. It has, however, an even longer history of failure. The NAEP found that, internationally in mathematics, American 15-year-olds were outdone by 23 of 38 other countries. In science, the U.S. was surpassed by 18 of 38 countries. The American educational system may need a new innovative engine instead of a tune-up.
While the Nativity-Miguel model has only proven itself on a small level, it possesses characteristics that may help revamp the current educational structure. Bob Wassman, a faculty member at WJA said, "With 12-hour days, class sizes of no more than 12 students, and 11 months of school per year, we provide an optimal learning environment. There is excellent classroom instruction with a mix of experienced and new 'mission-driven' teachers; a strong emphasis on positive reinforcement…and an equally strong emphasis on discipline."
In the last calendar year, Detroit Public Schools have endured serious administrative and student flight. The Nativity-Miguel Model may help DPS restructure, increase performance, become more competitive, and focus on fundamentals.
Brian Ray, WJA Director of Operations and Communications, argues, "In urban areas, this model thrives because it provides kids the proper skills and attitude to be excellent students and to take on the next level. Our kids are being told that, 'they can do this and they will do this.'"
The Washington Jesuit Academy will be featured in the Washington Posts' "30 Outstanding Middle School Models," published on April 15. WJA has made a convincing argument that their system prepares students for the next level and can make immediate progress.
The Nativity-Miguel Model, popularized by the Washington Jesuit, is a new model for schools that may provide solutions to the ubiquitous educational achievement gap in public schools throughout Detroit and America.
Brian Ray, WJA's Director of Operations and Communications, explains, "The majority of entering WJA sixth graders read at a third grade level and 95 percent graduate at or above eighth grade level." He also notes, "If you fall behind in reading early on, it is very difficult to keep up to speed in various other subjects."
To boost students' reading levels and overall aptitude, WJA requires that all students take a Reading class and a Language Arts class. Students two or more grade levels behind enroll in a Reading Supplement class.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2005 Report shows that for American eighth graders, only 51 percent of low income students achieved basic scores on the math portion of the NAEP, contrasted to 79 percent of middle and high income students. By race, 42 percent of black students, 52 percent of Latino students, and 80 percent of white students earned at least basic scores.
The United States has a long history of trying to tackle this far-reaching gap. It has, however, an even longer history of failure. The NAEP found that, internationally in mathematics, American 15-year-olds were outdone by 23 of 38 other countries. In science, the U.S. was surpassed by 18 of 38 countries. The American educational system may need a new innovative engine instead of a tune-up.
While the Nativity-Miguel model has only proven itself on a small level, it possesses characteristics that may help revamp the current educational structure. Bob Wassman, a faculty member at WJA said, "With 12-hour days, class sizes of no more than 12 students, and 11 months of school per year, we provide an optimal learning environment. There is excellent classroom instruction with a mix of experienced and new 'mission-driven' teachers; a strong emphasis on positive reinforcement…and an equally strong emphasis on discipline."
In the last calendar year, Detroit Public Schools have endured serious administrative and student flight. The Nativity-Miguel Model may help DPS restructure, increase performance, become more competitive, and focus on fundamentals.
Brian Ray, WJA Director of Operations and Communications, argues, "In urban areas, this model thrives because it provides kids the proper skills and attitude to be excellent students and to take on the next level. Our kids are being told that, 'they can do this and they will do this.'"
The Washington Jesuit Academy will be featured in the Washington Posts' "30 Outstanding Middle School Models," published on April 15. WJA has made a convincing argument that their system prepares students for the next level and can make immediate progress.
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