Early Start launches Shepard freshmen

For the second year in a row, parents in District 218 volunteered more than 600 of their children to participate in Early Start. The three-week program helps students adapt to high school with classes in English, math, and science.

It's a key time for students: Nationally, more fail a class in ninth grade than any other year.

For Shepard freshmen, Early Start also offered the opportunity to meet new Principal Greg Walder, who identified with the students' new beginnings.

"We're all in this together," he said.