From the Inside: STARS High-School
By Olga Vaca Durr, M. Ed.
The Prevention Researcher,
Volume 9, Number 5, 2002, Pages 5
Feature Article:
High school dropouts are a growing concern throughout the United States. So much so that the issue has been included in the Goals 2000: Educate America Act and the No Child Left Behind Act. Some students dropout to help support their families, others are starting their own families as teenagers, while others are experiencing academic problems, attendance problems, or behavior problems and feel the need to dropout prior to obtaining their diploma.
In an effort to combat dropout rates twice the state average, the Waco Independent School District in Waco, Texas opened STARS High School. STARS stands for Students That Are Reaching Success, and that is just what they are doing! The school is an alternative, academic-type high school which meets at alternative hours compared to the normal 7:30 - 3:30 school day, thus, meeting the needs of working students who want to continue their education. The philosophy behind the school is based on the "Contextual Learning" approach to education, where the content is related to past experiences of the learner. This is coupled with "Choice Theory," developed by Dr. William Glaser, which provides an atmosphere and approach where students realize they are responsible for the choices they make and these choices are what enable them to experience success. As a result, the students come to realize the need to arrive prepared and get involved with their academic experiences on an individual basis to reach their first goal -- receiving their high school diploma.
The school opened in January 2002 with 42 students and by the beginning of summer session 78 students were enrolled, with many more on the waiting list and new students calling everyday. The district goal is to serve 150-170 students during a three session day, starting fall 2002.
Not a day goes that someone is not awed by the success in this school; from the students, to the teachers, and even the principal himself. Each one has his or her story and each story gets to you. Some students arrive straight from work, some in a cab or walking from the other side of town in 100 degree heat; but they all get there on time. If there is a chance they might be a little late they make sure to call first.
When a visitor enters the classroom, the first thing he or she notices is that everyone is eager to be there. Students arrive, sign in and get to work. No one has to remind them to get out their work or to get started. And a mention as to what page to turn to or to quiet down is rarely ever heard. By sitting and talking with some of the students, one learns how amazing they are. A visitor might meet the 20 year old mother who dropped out after feeling too overwhelmed to deal with the pressures of being a parent and student at the same time. When you ask her why she came back she will tell you, "I want to do more for my daughter than my mother did for me." This student gets up everyday at 5:00 a.m. and works from 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. After work she walks home, spends a few hours with her daughter and then walks to school. She attends school from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. and then walks home to start her routine over.
In an effort to combat dropout rates twice the state average, the Waco Independent School District in Waco, Texas opened STARS High School. STARS stands for Students That Are Reaching Success, and that is just what they are doing! The school is an alternative, academic-type high school which meets at alternative hours compared to the normal 7:30 - 3:30 school day, thus, meeting the needs of working students who want to continue their education. The philosophy behind the school is based on the "Contextual Learning" approach to education, where the content is related to past experiences of the learner. This is coupled with "Choice Theory," developed by Dr. William Glaser, which provides an atmosphere and approach where students realize they are responsible for the choices they make and these choices are what enable them to experience success. As a result, the students come to realize the need to arrive prepared and get involved with their academic experiences on an individual basis to reach their first goal -- receiving their high school diploma.
The school opened in January 2002 with 42 students and by the beginning of summer session 78 students were enrolled, with many more on the waiting list and new students calling everyday. The district goal is to serve 150-170 students during a three session day, starting fall 2002.
Not a day goes that someone is not awed by the success in this school; from the students, to the teachers, and even the principal himself. Each one has his or her story and each story gets to you. Some students arrive straight from work, some in a cab or walking from the other side of town in 100 degree heat; but they all get there on time. If there is a chance they might be a little late they make sure to call first.
When a visitor enters the classroom, the first thing he or she notices is that everyone is eager to be there. Students arrive, sign in and get to work. No one has to remind them to get out their work or to get started. And a mention as to what page to turn to or to quiet down is rarely ever heard. By sitting and talking with some of the students, one learns how amazing they are. A visitor might meet the 20 year old mother who dropped out after feeling too overwhelmed to deal with the pressures of being a parent and student at the same time. When you ask her why she came back she will tell you, "I want to do more for my daughter than my mother did for me." This student gets up everyday at 5:00 a.m. and works from 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. After work she walks home, spends a few hours with her daughter and then walks to school. She attends school from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. and then walks home to start her routine over.
As you continue to walk throughout the room at STARS High School you might meet another student who experienced a tragic death in his family. As a result his grades began to reach an all time low and he eventually got in trouble with the law. Ultimately, he phased out of active life in the traditional school setting and one day happened upon STARS High School. Not only did he enroll, he also walked across the stage straight to college. With one successful graduation behind him, he is now focused on a career in auto technology.
By talking with the students, visitors will find the reason many of them dropped out is because they felt the administration at the traditional school did not care. These students were in school at times when they were experiencing hardships in their lives and found no positive assistance. Not knowing how to deal with their problems, the alternative of dropping out appealed to them as the easiest way out.
When talking to these students about their experiences at STARS High School they will say "the staff cared about me and followed up on me on a daily basis," or "the focus was on me as an individual and my individual academic needs." The students even feel the course work is finally beginning to make sense to them and is meaningful to what they are trying to accomplish in "the real world." Some of the students that have already graduated have proudly come back to say that since they have graduated they have received a raise or promotion from their jobs. All this was made possible due to the fact they are now classified as high school graduates and have a high school diploma.
Visitors will also quickly notice how amazing the teacher and the principal who work with these students are. The teacher is one of those who loves teaching, and she teaches morning, noon and night (and surely even in her dreams)! She is always there to provide assistance and add a caring smile or hug, which ever is needed. The principal looks like an ex-defensive lineman, but appearances can be deceiving. As soon as he starts to talk, his love for his job and these students is noticeable and detected in his voice and through his eyes. He is waiting for students to take the first step of being responsible for their own actions, and enrolling in the school. He conferences with each student individually regarding the expectations and how many more credits they need to finish. Once they start, he is there everyday being a role model, a support unit, and the administrator that finally cares about them. If students are absent, he personally calls them, not leaving it for a secretary or counselor to tend to.
The atmosphere is so positive at STARS High School, there is no wonder why students are succeeding semester after semester! And they are indeed succeeding.
-- Special acknowledgment and thanks are given to Dr. John Reiher, principal of STARS High School, for his contributions and input in writing this article. Special thanks is also given for the assistance, understanding, and love he gives each student at STARS High School, enabling them to reach success!
Olga Vaca Durr, M.Ed., is the School Completion Specialist for the Waco Independent School District. She has worked in education for nine years as a teacher, Bilingual Educational Diagnostician, and Administrator. Ms. Vaca Durr has started her Doctorate at Texas A&M University.
Copyright 2002, Integrated Research Services.
By talking with the students, visitors will find the reason many of them dropped out is because they felt the administration at the traditional school did not care. These students were in school at times when they were experiencing hardships in their lives and found no positive assistance. Not knowing how to deal with their problems, the alternative of dropping out appealed to them as the easiest way out.
When talking to these students about their experiences at STARS High School they will say "the staff cared about me and followed up on me on a daily basis," or "the focus was on me as an individual and my individual academic needs." The students even feel the course work is finally beginning to make sense to them and is meaningful to what they are trying to accomplish in "the real world." Some of the students that have already graduated have proudly come back to say that since they have graduated they have received a raise or promotion from their jobs. All this was made possible due to the fact they are now classified as high school graduates and have a high school diploma.
Visitors will also quickly notice how amazing the teacher and the principal who work with these students are. The teacher is one of those who loves teaching, and she teaches morning, noon and night (and surely even in her dreams)! She is always there to provide assistance and add a caring smile or hug, which ever is needed. The principal looks like an ex-defensive lineman, but appearances can be deceiving. As soon as he starts to talk, his love for his job and these students is noticeable and detected in his voice and through his eyes. He is waiting for students to take the first step of being responsible for their own actions, and enrolling in the school. He conferences with each student individually regarding the expectations and how many more credits they need to finish. Once they start, he is there everyday being a role model, a support unit, and the administrator that finally cares about them. If students are absent, he personally calls them, not leaving it for a secretary or counselor to tend to.
The atmosphere is so positive at STARS High School, there is no wonder why students are succeeding semester after semester! And they are indeed succeeding.
-- Special acknowledgment and thanks are given to Dr. John Reiher, principal of STARS High School, for his contributions and input in writing this article. Special thanks is also given for the assistance, understanding, and love he gives each student at STARS High School, enabling them to reach success!
Olga Vaca Durr, M.Ed., is the School Completion Specialist for the Waco Independent School District. She has worked in education for nine years as a teacher, Bilingual Educational Diagnostician, and Administrator. Ms. Vaca Durr has started her Doctorate at Texas A&M University.
Copyright 2002, Integrated Research Services.
Page:
1
2
This article can be found in the issue:
Resource Issue 2002
The Prevention Researcher,
Volume 9, Supplement, 2002
Our annual Resource Issues are designed to provide supplemental material which complements the more research-focused quarterly issues. This Resource Issue includes information on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth; athletes and eating disorders; and volunteering in New York City following 9-11.
This issue also featured these articles:
- • A Mental Health Response to September 11, Pages 16-17
- • Athletes and Eating Disorders: An Interview with Dr. Randa Ryan, Pages 11-12
- • From the Inside: STARS High-School, Pages 5
- • Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth Q&A, Pages 1,3-4
Order this print issue for only $10.00!
