Childersburg High School

The Inside Story of a College and Career School Transformation

Our School

• Childersburg High School was established in 1923.

• The current Childersburg High School is located in Talladega County just north of the city of Sylacauga. The 45 member faculty serves 483 students in grades 9-12. Of the 58% African American and 42% Caucasian students, 71% qualify for free or reduced lunch status.

Why Change?

• Only 7% of economically disadvantaged high school students earn college degrees (Results Now, Mike Schmoker)

• According to ACT Five Year Trends Report, ACT Composite Score Average for CHS has dropped from 18.7 to 17.5. The state average during that time has remained at 20.3.

• Percentage of ACT-Tested CHS Students Ready for College-Level Coursework: (State Average)

– 42% College English Composition (65%)– 4% College Algebra (32%)– 28% College Social Science (48%)– 4% College Biology (22%)– 1% All Four Subjects (18%)

• Students with a CHS High School GPA of 3.5-4.0– Fall College GPA 2.68– Spring College GPA 2.28

• 75% of CHS incoming Freshman had to take remedial Math compared to 7% of all incoming Freshmen.

Physical Redesign

Classrooms:1:1 Computers in Core Classrooms14 Smart Boards SlatesNetworked Printers

Cafeteria:Upgraded FurnitureInstalled Artwork

CHS Arena and Performing Arts Center:Floor stripped, repainted, and refinishedStage repaired and paintedSome Theatre equipment upgraded

21st Century Classrooms

Instructional Redesign

• Professional Development– Project-Based Learning– Teaching the 4 C’s

• Communication• Collaboration• Critical Thinking• Creativity

– Strategic Teaching– Smart Board, Moodle, and Technology Tools– Google Learning Suites

• Daily Outcome Questions– What am I learning?– How am I learning it?– How will I know I have learned it?– How will I use this in the real world?

• Monitoring for Improvement– Peer Walk-Throughs– Self-Evaluation Videos (SLT Involvement)– Instructional Rounds (Student Involvement)

Project-Based Learning

PBL is the vehicle that CHS uses to engage students. PBL is an approach to teaching in which students apply what they learn to create a product that answers the driving question (the goal of the project)At CHS teachers are asked to engage students in one project a nine-weeks.

Cultural Redesign

• Student Leadership Team– Visited other Schools– Collaborated and drafted the CHS Student Statements– Host visitors and provide tours– Plan and provide input for CHS’ future

• School Culture– Planning for school culture at CHS involved faculty,

staff, and students– Positive Behavioral Supports– School Management Procedures– Classroom Computer Etiquette – Student Voice

The CHS Student Leadership team met over the summer to write The Tiger Creed and

the Tiger Testimony. The creed is a statement of “who we are and what we believe”

and the testimony is a promise of what students will do – “what we expect

from ourselves.”

Student Statements

C-Card

The C-Card is an identification card that is part of the cultural transition at Childersburg High School. The C-Card is the visual representation of the students commitment to the Tiger Creed and Tiger Testimony. Any student who breaks this commitment can lose the card. The card earns students certain privileges.

* Passes are attached to the card.* Random non-uniform days.* Random free-seating in the cafeteria.* Allows for attendance at certain events (pep rally, assemblies, 30 for 30)

College & Career Ready

College Pennants decorate our halls.

Teachers display pride in their alma maters

on their doors.

Mock Interview Day

Mock Interview Day was the culmination of a school-wide effort to improve student interview skills and resume writing.

Forty volunteers from businesses and schools interviewed 483 students for a job or scholarship opportunity.

30 Minutes for 30 Students

30 Minutes for 30 Students:

Short seminars conducted every Thursday in the CHS Tiger Café. The speakers range from college recruiters to civic organizations to business and industry recruiters.

College Campus Tours

College Campus Tours began in November 2012 and are conducted monthly. It is an opportunity for students to visit college campuses they may not have the ability to visit any other way. We partner with Lincoln High, Talladega County Central, Winterboro High, Fayetteville High, and BB Comer High.

CHS Student Data ComparisonsAugust 2010 to May 2013

Comparing August to January

Total Discipline Infractions

Major Discipline Infractions

Out of School Suspensions

Total Failures

Drop-Out Rate

57%60%33%56%72%

CHS 2012-2013 Data

CHS student failures have decreased by 60% over previous years.

CHS 2012-2013 Data

Drop-outs declined in 2012/2013 at CHS by 57% over previous years.

CHS 2012-2013 Data

Total discipline issues decreased by 33% from 2010-2011/2011-2012 to 2012/2013

CHS 2012-2013 Data

Decrease of 71% from 2010-2011/2011-2012 to 2012-2013

CHS 2012-2013 Data

CHS experienced a decrease of 43% in Class 2’s discipline offenses and a decrease of 56% in Class 3 discipline offenses.

CHS Projected Data2012-2013

CHS Projected Data2012-2013

Student Comments on Change Most Glad to See at CHS August 2012 Survey

• “I was glad to see how enthusiastic people were to come to school.”

• “Everything! It’s something I am actually proud to be a part of.”• “The AP courses are the best thing that I have experienced

yet. We have only completed one week of school but I already know that I am going to get a lot out of these classes.”

• “To see that we were a college & career readiness school.”• “I am new to CHS... I find it interesting that we are putting this

much effort into learning.”• “The new technology that was added to the classrooms, the

Honors Pathway, and the block schedule.”• “I was most glad to see the change in students attitude when

they got to the school and saw all of the work teachers, student leadership team and others put into it. I'm excited to see CHS have a complete turn around.”

Student Comments on Change Most Glad to See at CHS

• “I love the new technology here! It is amazing! It makes learning so much fun!”

• “I have been more than happy to see that everyone gets along so much better. There haven't been any fights, no arguments in the hall at lunch or in class that I have seen, and I feel a lot more safe in class now. I think this is because we are constantly occupied with the computers and our class work and we have all realized how unprepared for college we were that we know we need to take school serious and no one has time to argue.”

• “I am most happy to see the increase in student involvement and how most students seem more intrigued with school.”

• “There isn't any type of specific clique anymore...Everybody works together. It's all, or nothing now with the student body. Everyone at CHS is Family, very glad this year it’s a lot more welcoming and you don't have to worry about people judging you. Has a lot to do with the teachers, and administrators stepping in and making things more fun for everyone. I am really enjoying this change at CHS. Definitely the legacy of my Senior year, CHS finally has changed. Thank you! Way to go CHS!”

• “The technology and the advanced placement courses have challenged me to excel more and makes me feels more prepared for college and the career I choose for myself.”

Student Comments on Change Most Glad to See at CHS

Teacher Comments

“The students at CHS have responded extremely well to the changes. They have embraced the concept of being prepared now for their futures and have begun to accept the challenges of being college and career ready. It is an exciting time to teach here at Childersburg High School!”

Michael Phillips

After the second week of school a student exclaimed, “I wish I’d had teachers who cared this much about me for all of high school.” I use this student quote to illustrate my own feelings about first semester at CHS: It is more than the technology, the computers, and the web tools…it is about the environment of support and care that we have created here. We feel it as a faculty and our students feel it in our classrooms. This safe haven of encouragement and compassion and hope has inspired our students to use all of our “new” equipment to reach further than they ever have before. We care about them, so they now care more about themselves and their futures.

Sharon Wright

Teacher Comments

• As a graduate from CHS, I am so proud of the changes that are happening here. It is exciting to see the opportunity our students are having now. We are able to provide them with tools to help them now and in the future. 

Emile Milam

• I was a little apprehensive in the beginning but my gosh what a change!  I am so proud of how our students have responded.  I love my Smartboard and the other technology too.  I am working hard at incorporating all of the new technology small steps at a time.  The school culture has changed dramatically and I can already tell a big difference in the students who really care and I am seeing small improvements for many of the others towards a new CHS. 

Teresa Martin

Future Plans

Future Plans at Childersburg High School:

Business and Industry TourTours to local businesses or industries as well as Trade Schools for CHS students not planning on attending college.

Digital PortfolioStudents will keep an online digital portfolio using Google

Learning Tools.

ACT PrepAfter school tutoring for ACT prep available to all students.

ACT Subject-Specific work session available during our activity period.

Come Visit Us!

Childersburg High School120 Fay Perry Drive

Childersburg, Alabama 35044256-315-5475