Dear Parents,

I would like to extend a warm welcome to you and your child for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year at the Swansea High Freshman Academy. The academy will serve approximately 250 students and is located on a separate campus utilizing the building that once housed Swansea Primary School.

The 2010-2011 inaugural year was a huge success. Roughly ninety percent of our students passed the ninth grade, which is twenty percentage points better than the state and national retention averages for grade nine according to Johns Hopkins University and the South Carolina Dropout Prevention Center. Ninety-nine percent of our students are on track to graduate, meaning they accrued a credit in their English and math class. In the content areas of math and English we scored above the state average on both end of course state accountability tests.

The dynamics of the Freshman Academy will allow for students to reap the benefits created by a small learning community. In a small learning community students experience a more personalized education which enhances learning through high levels of rigor, relevance, and relationships in a non-threatening environment.

A small learning community can greatly increase communication between all stakeholders, increase collaboration and increase the likelihood for academic success. Our small learning community will be broken up into two teams of eight core content teachers that will interact with their 125 students daily. The team will get to know every student, readily identify strengths and weaknesses of individual students and provide a timely intervention by utilizing data for each student.

The goal of the Freshman Academy will be to increase student attendance, provide positive behavioral supports and interventions, and ultimately ensure student success at the highest level by maximizing each students full potential.

SHFA will provide an opportunity for each student to accrue a total of 7 credits in math, science, English, global studies, and electives of choice. Each student will have full access to the entire curriculum and could accrue a total of 9 credits entering their sophomore year at Swansea High School. Students will have choice in the areas of the arts, honors/AP track, and career and technology opportunities.

We are very excited to serve your needs and be an integral part in the success of your child. If you have any questions please call me at your convenience and I will make your needs my priority. Once again welcome and we look forward to working for you and your family.

Sincerely,

Bryan Evans

SHFA Principal