CSI Presenter: Yetunde Reeves, Principal, EXCEL High School
The facts:
298 students grades 9-12
Defined as low income
Students primarily from West Oakland
Building college going culture in a small urban school: a Case Study for Success
1. College talk
Educators talk about dorm life, food, where they went to college on a regular basis
Educators wear college gear once a week
Alumni invited back to speak to students through Facebook
2. Clear expectations
Staff believes in the students
Focus on attendance policies with incentives
Seniors required to apply to college, scholarship apps
3. Info & resources
College and career center created
Implemented College Summit
4. Grading
Eliminate D’s and grade with A,B,C,F system
Give seniors 5th year option
5. Comprehensive counseling
Review all transcripts each semester with students
Google spreadsheet of all seniors graduation status which is viewable by all teachers
6.Testing & curriculum
Students required to take SAT, gave mock SAT test to all Junionrs to practice
7. Curriculum
Differentiation- teachers meet needs of all students, teachers choose how to teach syllabus
8. Faculty involvement
Ratio 20:1
Review personal statements in staff meetings
Informal mentoring relationships
Teachers required to comment on school-wide learning blog
9.Teacher leadership
Career day organized by teachers
Passport to College project created by teachers with distinct activities for each grade level
10. Advisory
$500 incentive for teachers for doing well with Passport to College project
11. College marketing efforts
College banners in hallway
Created own college-going shirts
Airbrushed lockers with inspiration and college-going
Post College Summit pendants in hallway with students name and colleges they got into
12.Communication
Letters and postcards with important information sent to parents from principal 2-3 times a month
Success stats:
-In 5 yrs, Excel has gone from lowest in the district to being ranked #6 out of 22
-Highest exit exam rate
-2007 doubled the number of kids going to a 4 yr school
-90% seniors apply to College
Way to go!
