Summer Academic Session

An Achievable Dream Middle and High School Newport News, VA

Despite a high rate of low income students (92%), An Achievable Dream Middle and High School has produced impressive student gains. In 2009-2010, Achievable Dreams 8th grade students exceeded state averages in ELA and nearly met the states average in math, earning the school widespread recognition.

An Achievable Dream Middle and High School (2009-2010)

Principal School Schedule School Year Grades Served Timothy Sweeney 8:00 AM 4:10 PM 210 days 6 12 (2010-2011 will be the first year of 12th grade) 436 2009-2010 VSOL Results

Number of Students Each school day at An Achievable Dream Performance Middle and High School is two hours longer than surrounding Newport News Public Schools. In addition, the school is in session year round, including a mandatory four week summer session. This four week session provides opportunities for struggling students to review the prior years content and higher performing students to prepare for the year ahead.

Focus and Student Grouping Beginning three weeks after the school year ends, all 3rd through 10th grade students and teachers take part in the four week summer intersession. This session is used to strengthen students grasp of math, ELA, science and social studies. Each session begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 1:30 p.m.

Block 9:30am-10:30am 10:30-11:30am 11:30am-12:30pm 12:30pm-1:30pm

Class Math ELA Remediation Social Studies Science

The summer session reviews material from the previous year and prepares for the upcoming academic year based on individual student needs. Using data from the previous years state assessment, the VSOL, the school assigns students into classes of 19 to 21 students. Components of Summer Session Teachers are assigned students whom they will instruct in the upcoming school year. This allows teachers and students to familiarize themselves with one another before the beginning of the school year. During the summer session, teachers create their own lessons as they would during the school year, though summer session lessons emphasize project-based learning. In addition, the school provides students with field trips and outreach activities throughout the summer session. Funding All Achievable Dream teachers are contractually obligated to staff the summer session. For their time, Achievable Dream compensates each teacher at $30 per hour. The major costs of teacher compensation and student transportation is funded by the school division. Enrichment activities such as field trips and outreach opportunities are funded by An Achievable Dream organization.

National Center on Time & Learning 24 School Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02108 www.timeandlearning.org