Easing the Transition to High School

Selena Badichon, an incoming freshman at Columbia High School, has dreams of going to college, graduating and becoming an oncologist. But first she has to get her grades up. This summer, Selena took a huge step in overcoming this obstacle by graduating at Columbia's Black Box Theatre from a summer school program called Bridge to Success.

For four weeks, Selena and 32 other incoming ninth graders, spent their mornings learning how to be better students, working on math skills, reading short stories, and conducting experiments in science, including recreating the BP oil spill on tin foil.

She walked away with awards for academic achievement—and a reminder that her success this summer is just the beginning of beating the challenges and social pressures at CHS.

"I think now she has it in her mind what she has to do," said her sister, Daphkar Lahens. "You can't play around in high school."

The classic proverb, "It Takes a Village," has specific meaning to this program, as students, teachers and their families work together to help these students identified as potentially "at risk" as they begin their high school years, said Hope Taylor, a CHS dean who is largely credited with the success of the program.

But the work doesn't end here. "We've barely just begun," said Superintendent Brian Osborne. "There are 720 days of high school."

Bridge to Success is a partnership between the school district and FAMILYConnections, a non-profit agency that provides counseling and family services in Essex County.

The intensive academics are paired with afternoons in the Loft, a modern renovation of the school's former auto shop, which provides a creative space for counseling, employment assistance, workshops on sensitive issues like gangs and drugs, enrichment in the arts, computers and recreation under the direction of Amanda Picone, program manager. The Loft is staffed by licensed professionals and all services are free, voluntary and confidential.

"Research shows that partnerships between school and nonprofits can have positive effects in the perseverance and accomplishments of students who struggle in school," Osborne said in an interview following the graduation ceremony.

"There's so much talk about the achievement gap in this community," said John Surface, Director of Development and Communications at FAMILYConnections. "We believe The Loft can help with that by bridging the opportunity gap."

Nicholas Jackson, who dreams of becoming a chef, is among the students on target to succeed. He admits his grades "could be better." On Thursday, he made repeated trips to the podium to receive academic awards, including outstanding achievement from Carolyn Johnson, a longtime teacher in Language Arts. Jackson has been cooking in science as well. Teacher Mark Terenzi honored him for an outstanding lab report. And in math, he was among a half-dozen students performing at Level 3, a benchmark for success. Teacher Scott Stornetta gave the students 10 pushups, flexing muscle and encouragement: "Math is a sport and don't you forget it."

Osborne encouraged the students to earn their way into at Level 3 or higher classes. (Students at CHS are placed in classes based on their academic proficiency. Data shows that students in at least Level 3 have the greatest success in college. Levels are based on scores on the state standardized test, teacher recommendations and grades).

 "Ask your teachers what you need to do to move up," Osborne said. "We want to make sure you have the option to go to college and to be successful in college."

But first they'll have to make it through ninth grade. School data shows that just under 20 percent of ninth graders fail one or more classes. And while New Jersey has one of the lowest drop-out rates in the nation (less than 2 percent), thousands of students throughout the state do not finish school, according to the State Education Department.

Here lies the wisdom of the partnership with FAMILYConnections. There is no single reason why students drop out of high school. Respondents report different reasons: a lack of connection to the school environment; a perception that school is boring; feeling unmotivated; academic challenges; and the weight of real world events. But indications are strong that these barriers to graduation are not insurmountable. The Loft addresses these concerns, and more.

"Bridge to Success is a terrific example of how The Loft and CHS staff and the school district leadership are all collaborating to foster the social and emotional development of our youth, so they can thrive and succeed in school and life," said Paula Sabreen, executive director of FAMILYConnections. 

The annual budget for The Loft is $319,947, according to FAMILYConnections. The school district contributes to the summer program with federal Title I funds.

School performance is tracked and in the past three years, Bridge to Success records show that discipline problems have gone way down; academic grades have gone way up, with students earning Bs in core subjects, Picone said.

"I am serious and passionate about what we have to do in the next 720 days," Osborne said. "I can't wait to be on the stage to shake your hand at graduation knowing that you are college ready and life prepared."