District's Imagine 2014 plan includes focus on dropout prevention
by Ruth Rouff
Across the city this summer, 8th graders will be enrolled in a comprehensive transitional program designed to better prepare them for high school success.In North Philadelphia, over-age middle graders now have the opportunity to get back on track academically in a new District school called the Crossroads Accelerated Academy.
These are two new initiatives highlighted by District academic leaders, who are optimistic that these and other programs that are part of the District’s Imagine 2014 strategic plan can slow the steady flow of dropouts from Philadelphia high schools. In a typical school year, an estimated 6,000 or more students stop attending District schools.
For over-age middle schoolers like the ones targeted for the Crossroads program, the odds of graduating are poor.
“We took a floor [at Elverson School] and created a school-within-a-school,” explained School District Chief Operating Officer John Frangipani. About 80 students are now enrolled at Crossroads, with a student-teacher ratio of 20:1.
Frangipani stresses that those enrolling at Crossroads from throughout the District are not discipline problems.
“We want to put them in an environment where they can see success,” he said. “So we give them a lot more special attention to get them back to where they need to be.”
Crossroads Principal Sherry Lewis said that part of that special attention includes