Executive Summary. Gautier High School

Transcription

1 Pascagoula School District Mr. Boyd West, Principal 4307 Gautier-Vancleave Road Gautier, MS Document Generated On January 16, 2013

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 Description of the School 2 School's Purpose 3 Notable Achievements and Areas of Improvement 4 Additional Information 5

3 Introduction Every school has its own story to tell. The context in which teaching and learning takes place influences the processes and procedures by which the school makes decisions around curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The context also impacts the way a school stays faithful to its vision. Many factors contribute to the overall narrative such as an identification of stakeholders, a description of stakeholder engagement, the trends and issues affecting the school, and the kinds of programs and services that a school implements to support student learning. The purpose of the Executive Summary (ES) is to provide a school with an opportunity to describe in narrative form the strengths and challenges it encounters. By doing so, the public and members of the school community will have a more complete picture of how the school perceives itself and the process of self-reflection for continuous improvement. This summary is structured for the school to reflect on how it provides teaching and learning on a day to day basis. Page 1

4 Description of the School Describe the school's size, community/communities, location, and changes it has experienced in the last three years. Include demographic information about the students, staff, and community at large. What unique features and challenges are associated with the community/communities the school serves?, one of two high schools in the Pascagoula School District, is a public Mississippi high school located in the center of Gautier, Mississippi. The city of Gautier celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2011 and has a population of approximately 19,000. Gautier encompasses 32 square miles in Jackson County, which has a median household income of $25,000. Gautier is home to a diverse population, many of whom are employed in local manufacturing organizations (Ingalls Shipbuilding and Chevron refinery) on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Gautier elects two of the five school board members of the Pascagoula School District. student enrollment is 871 with 38% Caucasian, 51% African American, 6% Hispanic and 2% Asian. With a free and reduced lunch count of 74%, services 97 students on Individualized Education Plans and 41 English Language Learners. A completely new administration began in 2010, each within their first five years in administration. A fourth administrator was added for the school year. There are 70 highly-qualified teachers on campus; 85% Caucasian,13% African American, and 2% Hispanic. The average years of experience among teachers is ** years, with **% holding a Master's degree or higher. is sixteen years old. It has had one addition to the academic building since it was built and had an on-campus stadium built in Additional instructional space is expected within the next three years. A wide variety of classes are offered, including seven Advanced Placement courses and accelerated courses offered in all core academic areas. students have access to vocational and technical courses through the Applied Technology Center in Pascagoula. The school has a full spectrum of athletic programs for boys and girls. Extracurricular activities include all-superior band and chorus programs, state-ranked theatre and Mock Trail programs, academic competition teams, and several active civic and social student clubs. The school and community have been resilient in overcoming many challenges. As a coastal community, Gautier is always at risk of the catastrophic damages associated with hurricanes. The impact of Hurricane Katrina is still present after eight years, and the Gulf Oil Spill and, most recently, Hurricane Isaac have had a powerful impact on an already struggling economy. With 17% of the population below poverty and the lowest per capita income of all coastal cities, Gautier must maximize all available resources. None are greater than the students at, and the teachers are well aware of the impact their efforts have on the future of the community. Page 2

5 School's Purpose Provide the school's purpose statement and ancillary content such as mission, vision, values, and/or beliefs. Describe how the school embodies its purpose through its program offerings and expectations for students. supports the mission of the Pascagoula School District which states, "The Pascagoula School District will create global educational opportunities to challenge the minds of every student, inspiring a passion for learning and a legacy of innovative thinking." The vision for states, " will produce graduates who compete on a global level in the areas of academics, fine/ performing arts, athletics, and workforce preparedness. will rank first in test scores, graduation rate, and High School Completer Index." In meeting the district mission and school vision, has created or maintained programs that offer opportunities for students. The school addresses global issues through French and Spanish classes as well as the development of a cultural diversity committee and a student multicultural club. There is an on-going cultural exchange with students from Burgundy, France, with GHS students hosting French students during the school year and several Gautier students traveling to France during the summer. Gautier High students regularly place high on the National French Exam. The school also supports the district's Super Saturday events, some which address international activities. There are several strategies and programs in place to meet the needs of all students. Differentiated instruction is a regular component in lesson planning, with common core teaching standards being introduced in anticipation of the full implantation of the Common Core State Standards for the school year. has the capacity to increase its Advanced Placement offerings to support its advanced diploma requirements as well as a full transitions program to partner with local agencies and employers to expose students on occupational diploma and certificate tracks to career opportunities. students are challenged to reach their full potential through rigorous course offerings. Each incoming freshman has an Individual Career Academic Plan (icap) that directs a course of study suited to the student's ability and interests. The plans are monitored and adjusted annually based on student performance. The school has a M.E.A.N. (Making Excellence A Necessity) Gator incentive program that rewards students for academic achievement, attendance and discipline. Annual events such as the Poetry Slam, National History Day Competition, Envirothon, Reading Fair, and Talent Show afford students an opportunity to display a wide array of talents. Courses offered at the Applied Technology Center provide excellent practical experience in innovative fields such as polymer science and robotics, as well as training in the most current standards of auto mechanics, construction, machinery, etc. On-site courses in science allow students to explore biological ecosystems (Marine Biology Field Experience), forces in nature (Physics, and Chemistry), and real-life clinical experiences (Health Clusters). Economics and Survey of Math courses offer real experiences in entrepreneurship and budgeting. Extensive filed trips broaden the exposure of students to many career and cultural opportunities in the surrounding areas. Page 3

6 Notable Achievements and Areas of Improvement Describe the school's notable achievements and areas of improvement in the last three years. Additionally, describe areas for improvement that the school is striving to achieve in the next three years. has been recognized as a high-performing school for the last three years under the accountability standards for the Mississippi Department of Education. Recipients of the state's PREPS Value Added awards in Algebra, Biology, English, and History, GHS has been recognized for high academic achievement despite factors that would suggest otherwise. The last four graduating classes have earned over $15 million in scholarships as the graduation rate continues to increase. With all-superior band and choral programs, a state ranked theatre program, and locally-recognized fine arts programs, the school's fine and performing arts departments set the standard for the direction of the school. Their contributions to the annual Veteran's Breakfast, the states largest Veteran's Day ceremony which is held on campus and hosts over 300 veteran's each year, reinforce the values of patriotism. Over the last three years, has implemented a community outreach program that travels to various community organizations with a desire to generate greater parent and community involvement. The newly-formed PTO continues to grow and serves the school in a variety of areas. As part of the district's new strategic plan and 's vision, increasing student performance on subject-area tests, ACT scores, AP scores, and graduation rate continue to be a focus. Through tremendous support at the district level, GHS continues to implement the latest student-centered technology as we prepare for the move to Common Core State Standards. Page 4

7 Additional Information Provide any additional information you would like to share with the public and community that were not prompted in the previous sections. The success of rests solely on the commitment and dedication of an incredible group of teachers and support personnel. There are easier and more glorious places to teach on the coast, but the teachers at this school have fully invested in the lives and futures of our students. The statement posted on the wall of the school that reads, "When you enter this institution, you rescind your right to refuse your education," is met with a caring, compassionate mindset of a team of dedicated educators. This is what sets Gautier apart, more than any other program or philosophy. Page 5