Traverse City West Senior High Journey Map

Noble High School Design Studio

October, 2008

West Senior High Opens

• 1997 - West Senior High opens as as solution to overcrowding at Traverse City Senior High School (now Central High School)

• The vision was to embrace change and try new research based methodology based on “Breaking Ranks”.

Who has been involved?

• Principals – Joe Tibaldi & (former principal) Roger Wood– Believe in the importance of collaboration –

participation of all staff, students & parents– Have fostered a school environment based

upon mutual cooperation, respect, and high expectations for all.

– Roger worked behind the scenes to make the scheduling changes over the years work.

What influences have there been?

  West Senior High School Standards of Practice

• We will treat all people with dignity, honesty, respect and trust.  

• We will be positive contributors.  

• We will foster a safe and orderly environment.  

• We will provide all students opportunities for success. 

• We will demonstrate quality work.  

Influential Professional Development &

Philosophies• The Importance of

Professional Learning Communities & Essential Questions

– Teaching for Understanding & Collaborative Analysis Training & implementation (2004-2006)

• “Breaking Ranks II” & the importance of student empowerment

– Seminars/Advisories & Mentors (2004 –present)

Influential Professional Development &

Philosophies• Artful Thinking, Thinking

Dispositions & Thinking RoutinesTCAPS invited Project Zero at the

Harvard Graduate School of Education to develop an arts- infused curriculum in which the arts are used as entry points for students to develop deeper thinking and learning skills.

– All staff trained (2005-2006)

http://pzweb.harvard.edu/Research/ArtfulThinkingFinalReport.pdf

What have been our accomplishments?

• We are known within the Traverse City community for our extremely positive learning and working environment.

• Two nationally recognized AP teachers• State and National awards for art,

vocal and instrumental music, Odyssey of the Mind, Model United Nations and journalism

What obstacles are we overcoming?

• Curriculum & Funding

• The size of our staff & student population

• Changes in the yearly and daily schedule at our building

Curriculum and Funding

• State Mandated Core Curriculum • Funding issues – our location in a rural

region leads to isolation both academically and economically compared to other large schools in the state.

Size of our staff and student population

• Freshman up to High School, over 50% of students are new to building

• Closed 3 elementary buildings and moved teachers into the high school

• Over 50% of staff is new to building

Schedule Changes

• Schedule change from semesters to trimesters – classes went from 2 semesters to 2 trimesters (36 weeks to 24 weeks)

• Schedule change from block to everyday, extended periods

The Arrival of the SLC Grant

• West Senior High Staff introduced to SLC (Smaller Learning Communities) grant and presented with Grant Overview (November 2007)

• SLC Consortium consists of: 2 Grand Rapids HS, 2 Traverse City HS, Marquette HS, Muskegon HS, MCES

• We all received the same grant and meet as a group to make decisions and follow same guidelines

The Arrival of the SLC Grant

• Personalization & Transition for Students– Advisory Concept &

Purpose (Winter & Spring 2008)

– SLC Structure: Freshman Academy (Winter, Spring, Summer 2008)

– Kick Off Mentoring Program Introduction (Winter, Spring, Summer 2008)

• TLCs – Teaching Learning Communities– Review of SLC Grant

goals (May 2008)– Review and Refocus on

School Standards (Summer 2008)

– Review and refocus on PLC (Teaching for Understanding & Collaborative Analysis) (Fall 2008 to Spring 2009)

How are we trying to make a difference?

• Personalization in a large school setting

• Improved transitioning from middle school to high school and from high school to college

• Increased Student Achievement

How do we define ourselves in relation to

these words?• Designers

• Assessors

• Researchers

• Reflectors

How do we define ourselves in relation to

these words?• Colleagues

• Educators

What are the key issues and questions we are confronting

now?• How should our school be

organized to ensure that all students will be successful?

• What will our smaller learning community structure look like, what will our advisory be?