News Brief

Jere Mendelsohn

Smaller Learning Community

Verdugo becomes a Smaller Learning Community

Thursday, May 19, 2005.

In a world where everything from burgers to SUVs are being super-sized, it appears that when it comes to high schools, smaller is better!

Continuing a downsizing process we began five years ago, Verdugo Hills Senior High School is slated to open two Ninth Grade Preparatory High Schools in September of 2005. Members of the incoming freshman class will be the first to have a staff, curriculum, and a geographic location designed specifically to help them make a successful transition from middle to high school. Research clearly shows that younger high school students are more likely to stay in school and succeed if they feel that they are known and valued as people, not merely names on a roster. This has been accomplished nationally in a number of schools by creating smaller learning communities, a process initiated at Verdugo after winning a federal grant in 2000. The opening of the two schools for ninth graders is the next logical step in that process.

The primary goals of these two smaller learning communities include the following for all incoming students:

Personalizing the instructional process by providing equity and access to experienced and caring teachers, counselors, and other staff
Teaching and reinforcing essential habits, skills, and behaviors needed for success in high school and beyond

Providing a rigorous, standards-based curriculum that promotes critical thinking, problem solving, and the joy of learning

Supporting students with specific academic and social challenges

Retaining all freshmen and women for high school graduation

Verdugo is committed to providing a unique and challenging experience for ninth graders that will inspire them to strive for excellence in their new academic home. To help inspire, motivate, and support them, incoming freshmen will receive student mentors. Known collectively as the Link Crew, highly trained Junior and Senior men and women will provide a dynamic orientation for the frosh in late August of 2005. They will continue to provide academic and other support for ninth-graders throughout the school year in the form of social events, tutorials, and seminars on topics such as time management, choosing classes, decision making, etc.

We are excited about creating a unique, challenging, and supportive environment for our incoming students. Stay tuned for more detailed information about orientation and other opportunities being provided for the class of 2009!

For more information, please contact Verdugo's Smaller Learning Community's coordinator, Jere Mendelsohn: jsmendelsohn@charter.net