Classical in the News
Classical High Considered
for Compass School
By Jill Ricker The
Daily Item of Lynn, Monday, May 16, 2005
LYNN
- Classical High School may be among 16 schools in the state that could receive
$10,000 and recognition from the state. The Department of Education has
named Classical a finalist to become a Compass School, which means it would give
direction to schools across the state that are working to improve. Educators at
Classical would be sharing details of initiatives that have been key in their
students' improvement.
"We would serve as a compass, as a guide to other schools," Academic
Dean Christine Lander said. "We are a finalist because they liked the
program."
Compass Schools are selected based on improvement in student performance on the
MCAS exams and, to qualify for the award, the school had to complete a grant
application describing the improvement initiatives that have had the most
positive impact.
"The grant identified programs that are not necessarily unique, but
successful," Lander said.
The state Department of Education sent a team to Classical Thursday to
evaluate the initiatives the school determined are successful.
The team met with teachers, students and parents, observed classroom instruction
and focused on the four initiatives outlined in the grant.
One is a curriculum enrichment program that adds extra English and math classes
in the ninth and tenth grades to better prepare students for MCAS.
"By the time they take the test, they have taken technically one-and-a-half
years of English and math and, in some cases, two years," Lander said.
The team also explored inclusion classes, which are made up of both regular
education and special education students, and are team-taught by teachers from
both departments.
"We offer these in all the disciplines - math, science, social studies,
history and English," she said. "The kids feel good about it."
Third on the list was an all female math program, which has been taught
exclusively to ninth and tenth grade females for the past two years.
"The kids love it," she said. "They have a 98 percent accuracy on
passing the MCAS test on the first try. It's really been a successful program.
The kids have done remarkably well on the MCAS."
Finally, the team got a glance at a project-based learning initiative, which
focuses on alternative forms of assessment used in conjunction with typical
paper and pencil tests.
"Every year the students build a soccer ball in geometry class and
different things like that," Lander said. "It's using hands-on
learning as a major assessment."
Superintendent of Schools Nicholas Kostan said Classical was one of three
Lynn schools considered for Compass School designation this year. English High
and Shoemaker Elementary were also in the running before Classical was named a
finalist.
"It's great," he said. "It's a really nice thing for the
school."
Based on the report generated from Thursday's visit, the education
commissioner will determine which schools will serve as Compass Schools during
the following school year, designating up to sixteen schools.
Those selected will be notified in June, and recognized with a certificate and
Compass Schools banner at a State House event in September.