Thayer Campus Framingham High School
Thayer’s Mission It is the mission of Thayer Campus to provide our students with a small, safe, and caring environment that encourages academic achievement, personal growth, and a sense of responsibility. Our school is built around the belief that mutual respect is essential to our students’ success.
Thayer’s Evolution • Founded in 1989 as a single classroom program • Originally focused on approximately 10 students with learning disabilities and/or behavioral problems • Initial goal was as an alternative within the district to reduce outside placement of students • Program quickly grew into multiple classrooms; initially located at FHS and then later at Mass Bay • Moved to its current location in 1995, as a satellite campus of FHS and named Thayer Campus Alternative High School after then Superintendent Eugene Thayer
Thayer Facts • Full school day of 5.5 hours of instruction • Maximum enrollment of 60 students • 9.6 FTE Staff includes: • Program Coordinator • 1.0 Social Worker • 4.4 Classroom Teachers • 1.0 Special Educator • 1.0 Assistant Teacher • 1.0 Secretary • 0.2 Nurse
School Profile • Anticipated full enrollment of 60 students in 2018-19 • Thayer’s enrollment includes students both with and without IEPs • Thayer is not a therapeutic setting for students with severe emotional needs • Due to the work study component, students are required to be at least 16 years old
Student Profile • Thayer serves students who are in danger of dropping out or have withdrawn from school and wish to return • Have experienced academic difficulties in the traditional high school setting often due to emotional issues such as anxiety and depression • Have a history of chronic absenteeism/tardiness • Employment is necessary for family support and interferes with regular school attendance
Referral and Enrollment • Vice Principals at FHS prioritize a list of potential referrals based on input from Counselors, Support Programs, Special Ed, and EL Departments • FHS principal or designee contacts Thayer Coordinator with recommendations • Coordinator of Thayer Campus, schedules referral interviews with all students and parents prior to being enrolled
Philosophy and Goals • Every student possesses the potential to achieve and experience growth in learning • Help our students make their thinking more visible and maximize their potential. • Help students achieve their goals by providing a safe collaborative environment in which students begin to identify and utilize their strengths.
Expected Outcomes • Thayer expects students to show an improvement in school attendance and academic performance. • Self-esteem should also increase along with appropriate behaviors along with communication skills and coping skills. • Success in the classroom and ultimately graduation from high school
Program of Studies • English, Creative Writing • Social Studies: U.S. History, World History, Economics • Science: Earth Science, Biology, Astronomy, Chemistry • Math: Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Consumer Math • Career Dynamics: Life Skills and Careers • MCAS remediation as needed • School to Work Study Program, where students can gain additional academic credits and a paid work experience
Thayer Accommodations • Modified schedules to fit individual academic requirements and life situations • Smaller classroom settings and lower teacher to student ratios • Optional personalized online learning platforms and curriculum for credit recovery • Classes are offered by semester • School to Work Study offers a chance to earn credits and an income
Successes • Thayer just completed its 30 th year. • The program is well-established and known for its unique approaches to alternative education • Thayer graduated 26 students this year and nearly 1,000 since its inception in 1988 • Reduction in drop out rate as students are willing to remain in school longer with an attainable goal in sight
Challenges • There still exists a level of misconception about who we are and the work that we do within the district • The community’s own assumptions about the students who attend Thayer Campus • Chronic absenteeism and/or tardiness • Transient nature of many students
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