Acceleration program for at-risk students shining bright in Haywood County

Seventh-grader Jasmine Anderson shared her story with the House Education Committee, explaining how she struggled in school before joining the Star Academy program at Haywood County Middle School. Anderson credits the program with helping her engage with other students and understand her lessons better.

“In Star Academy, we all work on different lessons, and we all learn different things. It gave me a chance to work with other students in the lab when we have to do our rotation. In regular classes, I was confused and frustrated. Now in Star, I understand and know what to do,” Anderson told lawmakers.

Haywood County Schools Superintendent Amy Marsh accompanied Anderson and other students to Nashville to testify about the program’s impact.

Last year, Tennessee awarded Haywood County Schools a $1 million grant to implement Star Academy at Haywood County Middle School. The program, which began this school year, is designed as an accelerated "school within a school" for high-risk middle school students. Star Academy allows students to complete two grade levels in one year through hands-on, immersive STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) learning in core academic subjects.

Currently, Haywood County Schools is the only district in the state using the Star Academy program, and it is available exclusively to seventh-graders. However, Marsh hopes to expand it to eighth-graders in the future.

“That’s why I wanted you to hear from each of these ladies today,” Marsh said. “One who’s had the experience and benefitted from it, and two who didn’t get the opportunity but want others to benefit. It’s important that we recognize that and listen to their voices.”

The program has already shown success, with more than 44 percent of Star Academy students improving in English language arts, 66 percent improving in science, and 41 percent improving in social studies. Marsh told the committee that she expects even more growth as the program continues.

Star Academy representatives joined Marsh in presenting the program to the House committee. Star Academy began in 2005 through the South Carolina Department of Education as a way to address the dropout problem caused by eighth-grade students failing high-stakes tests required for promotion to high school.

NOLA Education, which runs the program, provides furniture, equipment, professional development for teachers, and ongoing communication with the school.

“These kids need a different approach, and one of the things we pride ourselves on at Star Academy is that we have a program that engages these kids,” said NOLA Education CEO John Alvendia. “Statistics show that if a student fails just once in eighth grade and can’t be promoted, over 90 percent of them end up dropping out.”

There are now nearly 100 Star Academy sites across 16 states.