Rainier Beach High School’s dramatic gains for students to be featured on HBO’s “Problem Areas”–even as the school is struggling to stop disruptive educator displacements
If you haven’t heard, there’s a new season of Wyatt Cenac’s “Problem Areas” show on HBO and it’s fire.
The show is in the middle of its second season all about education, and its the best exploration of education I’ve seen on national TV. This week’s episode, Friday, May 3 at 9:00 pm Pacific, centers on Seattle’s Rainer Beach High School (RBHS).
I’m so thrilled Rainer Beach is finally getting recognized for its amazing students and educators. RBHS is the school in Seattle with the highest percentage of Black students, students of color, and low income students–and for years the school district tried to close the school. I was part of an effort back in 2009 to help save the school from closure. Because of the courageous efforts of Rainer Beach families and educator the school was saved from a Broad Foundation superintendent. And because of the same grassroots organizing from students, parents and educators, the school has taken dramatic steps forward.
RBHS rejected the corporate playbook for reform and instead implemented a robust restorative justice program, enrolling the majority of students in advanced classes, implementing social justice curriculum, and partnering with the Freedom Schoolsprogram to foster civic engagement and social activism. Rainer Beach has since seen a substantial drop in suspension of students and a 25-point increase in graduation rates, surpassing the district average.
In addition to these important academic gains, Rainer Beach has also become a school that has produced some of most effective student leaders in the city. Take the example CONTINUE READING: Rainier Beach High School’s dramatic gains for students to be featured on HBO’s “Problem Areas”–even as the school is struggling to stop disruptive educator displacements – I AM AN EDUCATOR
