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SCHOOL WITHIN A SCHOOL

The School within a School (SWAS) works with a small group of 50 at-risk students, young people who are having trouble but who can do better.  A core of dedicated teachers focuses on these students, closely following each person’s progress, making lessons that are interactive and interesting.

They organize field trips to colleges, the Los Angeles Museum of Tolerance, the Exploratorium and the Monterey Bay Aquarium to help students have hands-on learning experiences in a variety of subjects.  Young people take part in special ropes courses to build teamwork, a sense of belonging and self-esteem. 

SWAS connects to parents too.  They learn what their children need to do better in school and how to provide it.  They attend SWAS events.

CEI recognizes students at special awards dinners for their attendance, enthusiasm and academic achievements. Four students won their own laptops for getting straight A’s on their report cards.

The students respond.  Attitudes in the classroom change.  Learning becomes cool.

Seventy-one per cent of SWAS students passed both the state English and math tests last year, compared to 62% for the rest of the student body.  Although SWAS students do not receive credit for grades of D, unlike the rest of the study body, 57% improved their averages in math and 50% improved their averages in English.

The successful model for the Smaller Learning Communities, SWAS is in its sixth and final year.