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Big Spring ISD Working to Keep At-Risk Junior High Students in School
Big Spring ISD Working to Keep At-Risk Junior High Students in School 3/7/13
CBS 7 News Reporter
March 7, 2013
tguinn@cbs7.com
Big Spring - Students dropping out of school is a a problem Big Spring ISD has been fighting for some time now. They've seen students as young as junior high stop attending class. Now, Big Spring ISD is taking a proactive approach to get their at-risk students to stay in school.
Inside Big Spring High School, away from distraction, is a different kind of school.
"We are changing the future one student at a time," teacher Lynnelle Thomas said.
They call it Success School. It's a Big Spring ISD program aimed at at-risk junior high students to keep them from dropping out. It's a problem the district has been facing for some time. They say a students home life is usually the common denominator for drop outs.
"If they are 14 and 15 years old and still in junior high, it's hard for them to want to go on and continue," Thomas said.
The way the program works is simple; set a goal and reach it.
"I want to become a pharmacist or a famous singer," Kelsey Wallace, an 8th grader at Success School said.
"I want to try to go to college and do art," Julian Larez, an 8th grader at Success School said.
Both Wallace and Larez struggled with school and staying out of trouble last year. However this year is a different story.
"I don't have to worry about being so far behind other students," Wallace said. "Now I can just think about my future."
Larez agreed.
"I've advanced from where I was at. It's been really great here. Especially working with all the teachers."
Thomas understands that they may not be able to change a student's home life, but they can change their life at school.
We all have problems, but these students come with more than the average person. For them to be here everyday and be successful is rewarding to us. It makes us proud," she said.
Since 2010, Big Spring ISD has held around a four percent drop out rate, which translates to around 50 students per year.
If you'd like more information on Success School, call: 254-485-4716.