Why Did Hickman Mills C-1 School District Select This Program?
The comprehensive, standards based curriculum is delivered in ways that connect with and engage the attention of "at-risk" students. The curriculum consists of:

¨       Utilizing hands on learning in support of cognitive performances
¨       Using career examples to exhibit how academic content is relevant/ real
¨       Providing rich multimedia/ multimodal learning activities
¨       Employing individual, cooperative-pair, and small-team learning experiences
¨       Providing a common understanding of what is required of the student by the teacher, the 
      student, ant the parents via the point based grading sheet anchored to a scope and
      sequence document.
¨       Capitalizing on students’ multiple intelligences
¨       Assuring core content is delivered while literacy and english language skills are improved
¨       Accommodating learning style difference
¨       Creating a healthy school climate in which to learn
¨       Functioning as an academy within a school
¨       Operating in a public school.

An integral goal of The Star Academy is to create a safe, happy and productive environment where students and teachers can learn, work and grow.  A reemphasis is placed on the goals listed below:

¨       A healthy school climate program
¨       A dynamic, productive communication protocol
¨       Parental sessions regarding raising "at risk" teenagers
¨       Extensive support from program liaisons
¨       Ongoing professional development

Moreover, STAR is nationally recognized as one of the most effective dropout prevention solutions in the country. Star Academy Program satisfies its goals.  In Star Academy Program’s data that was gathered from analyzing the 10 program cohorts to date, there is astounding evidence of goal success. The findings reflected numbers from the 10 cohorts programs dating back to 2005-2006 Star Academy’s origin school year data, through the past school year of 2007-2008.

(A cohort is one program’s student group for a school year. Group size varies by program and year. Total number of students in the 10 cohorts equals 493.)

Star Academy Program data shows where its program:

¨       Reduces dropout rates
¨       Delivers two years of curriculum in one school year
¨       Address the need of at risk students and other non traditional learners
¨       Fosters individual student responsibility for learning behavior
¨       Provides coping skills for re-entry into traditional school programming
¨       Enables students to earn up to seven and a half school credits in one school year.

This non traditionalist approach to educators allots for innovation using a school-within-a-school design which aligns with the district’s curricula, state GLE’s district requirements.

After initial funding, the Star Academy Program continues to operate from year to year using local funds. The Star Academy Program has been implemented in 21 middle and high schools across the country. States include South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, and New Jersey.  Efforts are underway in a number of other states to initiate even more Star Academy Programs.

Star Academy Program Students Selection Criteria
Star Academy data suggest that the program is most appropriate for eight- and ninth grade students who have failed at least one grade. Studies indicate that 64% of students who fail one grade eventually drop out of school. 

The selection criteria for Star Academy Program is:

    1.       Student is at least 14 years and 6 months of age and not older than 16 years of age on 
                or before September 1 (per state guidelines).
    2.       Student is eligible for promotion to the 9^th grade
    3.       Student has repeated one or two grades prior to 9^th grade.
    4.       Student has not been expelled from school within the last school year.
    5.       Student can read at the 5^th grade reading level or above.
    6.       Student is able to work independently and in cooperative learning groups to complete 
                computer-based learning activities.
    7.       Student and parents must attend orientation and group interview sessions.
    8.       Student and parents are willing to sign a disciplinary contract that outlines expected 
                behavior and consequences, as well as an academic contract that outlines
                expected academic performance.
    9.       Student’s discipline record does not reflect chronic disciplinary issues that may prohibit 
                collaboration with other students.
    10.   Principal’s recommendation, as well as student discipline records, report cards, 
                attendance records, and state assessment scores are also considered in the 
                selection process.

 
Admissions into Star Academy Program will resemble that of a preparatory academy. Procedures will include a student informational,a parent informational, a student and parent interview, a formal admissions letter and a summer orientation. School personnel that will be involved in all procedures are the building principal Dr. Lannie M. Milon, Jr. counselor, program coordinators - and teachers of the program.

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