Most Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Freshman Academy?
The Freshman Academy is a comprehensive freshman transition program for all first-time (or non-repeating) 9th graders. Each freshman is assigned to a Freshman Academy “team,” consisting of a counselor and four teachers and subjects: English, Honors Biology OR Earth Science, World History, and Health & Physical Education. Each teaching team serves approximately 110-120 common students.
Why and how was the Freshman Academy created?
Jordan High School has a well-deserved reputation for academic excellence in the Durham community. However, three years ago, a core group of teachers and counselors was not satisfied with our 9th grade retention rate. One hundred to 150 freshmen were retained each year, at that time. A student could easily fall between the cracks when his/her stakeholders were not communicating regularly about the student’s progress. JHS was not a very personal place for even the most well-adjusted 9th graders.
The staff spent the 2003-04 school year researching both our needs and various transition programs around the state. It was determined that the teaming concept used widely at the middle school level had merit on many levels and was the most practical way to address many of our transition needs. During the 2004-05 academic year, we held a pilot program including 40% of the Freshman class hand-selected for the program, expanding it full-scale in 2005-06.
Can I opt into or out of the Freshman Academy?
All students are automatically assigned to the Freshman Academy. There are not alternative courses for new students in the Academy subject areas.
Can I receive Honors credit in Academy courses?
Students are eligible to receive Honors credit in English, Biology, and/or World History. Students selecting Earth Science may not receive Honors credit. Health & PE is not an Honors course.
What type of schedule does the Freshman Academy follow?
Students at Jordan High School are on a 4x4 or “block” schedule which means that a student has four classes per day first semester, then four new ones second semester. Each class meets for 90 sessions in a semester. Freshman Academy courses are scheduled differently, as A/B courses. This means that all four Academy classes meet on alternating days, or A/B days. A typical student might have English and Health/PE during periods 1 and 2 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday this week, with World History and Science during the same periods on Tuesday and Thursday. The following week, this would be flipped. The Academy staff sees merit in having students for the full year, instead of just one semester. Students often struggle during the first semester of 9th grade, due to the escalation of expectations from 8th to 9th grade. This type of schedule allows Academy staff to monitor and support the growth and maturity of new high school students over the course of the full year, as well as defers exams in Earth Science, World History and Health/PE and state End-of-Course tests in English and Biology to the end of the year (instead of having students take these challenging tests in January).
Why isn’t Math a Freshman Academy course instead of Health/PE?
Students enter 9th grade taking any one of 7 different math courses at JHS: Introduction to High School Math, Algebra I, Geometry, Integrated Math I, Integrated Math II, and in much smaller numbers, Algebra II and Integrated Math III. Logistically, there was no feasible way to have math on an Academy team in which all students take the same 4 courses. Plus, Heath/PE is a course all students complete in 9th grade. It is also a state graduation requirement. Prior to the creation of the Freshman Academy, students failed Health more than any other subject at JHS. Our program works to equate this valuable course with other academic subjects and graduation requirements.
How does Freshman Academy support me, as a parent?
We have an open-door policy for parents to meet with the Academy team any day upon request. Team counselors maintain the team’s appointment calendar and arrange the conferences for parents. We send home progress reports every two weeks. We send home regular e-mails through each Academy counselor’s E-Groups. We have an Academy Parent Night prior to the first day of school, to familiarize parents with Academy staff, expectations, and policies.
How does the Freshman Academy support my child?
We offer students an on-campus, half-day Orientation prior to the first day of school to allow students an opportunity to become familiar with Academy staff, expectations, and policies. We provide students a planner free of charge, to keep track of assignments, and we promote its use. We offer an after-school study hall program (Monday-Thursday) during which students may receive extra help from specific teachers or find a quiet place to complete their homework. We send home progress reports every two weeks. We offer optional after-school workshops on topics such as note-taking, study skills, and test-taking strategies.
What types of incentives are used to motivate Academy students?
Incentives include Academy Awards (bestowed upon students excelling in each Academy subject area, as well as team awards like Student of the Month/Quarter and Most Improved) and a special end-of-year field trip for students who pass all four Academy courses and maintain a combined C average in those courses. Each year, we also take all Academy students to a local university to tour campus, learn about the college admissions process, and meet current professors and students to learn more about the college experience.
What is Semantics?
Semantics is a curriculum designed to develop academic and life skills, character, and citizenship; the goal being to encourage self-evaluation and foster civic engagement.
Semantics Curriculum Objectives/Units:
1. Introduction/Defining "Me":
>Students will produce thoughtful documents that reflect their own values and beliefs and share them with classmates.
2. Dealing Positively with Change:
>Students will assess the potential outcomes of change and attitude.
3. Relationships and Community Involvement:
>Students will analyze characteristics and skills that foster the building of strong relationships and examine elements of culture.
>Students will explore various aspects of citizenship and examine the roles in their community.
4. Education and Career Preparation:
>Students will identify higher education and career goals, and will develop skills that will help them achieve their goals.
5. Poverty and Financial Planning:
>Students will develop fiscal awareness and an understanding of the importance of financial planning.
6. Media Literacy:
>Students will investigate the media's influence on personal and societal values.
7. Conclusive Unit and Final Project:
>Students will reflect on their role in the community and assess personal growth over the course of the semester.