A new after-school initiative designed to support students who struggle with attendance or need extra help catching up, has been introduced.
This program, called Academic coaching, is designed to provide personalized coaching to students who miss school frequently, helping them get back on track academically.
The program started after noticing that many students were falling behind simply because they missed too much school.
“We realized that if we can get students to come every day and stay on top of their classes, we can help them improve,” Principal Shawn DeRose said. “It’s not about punishing students for missing school; it’s about ensuring they get the support they need to succeed.”
The idea for the program came not just from observing students at school but also from DeRose’s own experience as a parent.
“I have a freshman daughter, and I pay for academic coaching for her outside of school,” DeRose shared. “Every Sunday, she meets with a coach who helps her stay on track with her grades and learn important organizational skills.”
The ASAP program focuses on students who have missed nine or more days of school, offering them a chance to attend after-school coaching sessions.
The academic coaches are current student teachers in the building who are gaining experience as part of their practicum.
“I know a friend that has it and he really likes it. He usually procrastinates, so having this extra support made him actually have to do his work,” junior Elizabeth Martinez said.
The program is also flexible, allowing students to choose which day they want to come for support. This flexibility is a big plus for students involved in extracurricular activities like sports or part-time jobs.
“They get to pick the day that works best for them, so it’s easy to fit into their schedules,” DeRose explained.
In addition to offering academic help, the Academic coaching program also offers students a chance to have their attendance record improved.
According to Virginia state rules, students who receive academic support outside of regular school hours can have some of their absences waived.
“For every three hours they spend in the program, we can take an absence off their record,” DeRose said. “This helps students who may have missed school but are now working hard to get back on track.”
Even though the program is early, students already have opinions.
“I think the program is interesting, and it’s just a way to get the school’s reputation better. If students aren’t coming in the day, they’re not going to come after school,” senior Allison Roads said.
With the program only in its early stages, DeRose plans to reassess its effectiveness after spring break.
“We want to see if attendance improves and if students feel more confident academically,” he said. “The goal is to make sure every student succeeds, and we’re committed to helping them reach their full potential.”
