Plans detailing the two-year creation of a ninth-grade academy as part of Englewood High School were recently unveiled.

Schools Superintendent Sean McDaniel introduced the ninth-grade academy proposal late last year that would reinvent Englewood schools. The academy was to create a school within a school at Englewood High School that would refine the ninth-grade experience. He said the steps are necessary because the ninth-grade is such a pivotal year for high school-age students.

McDaniel suggested establishing the ninth-grade academy with stated goals that included easing the transition from middle school to high school, increasing attendance, decreasing dropout rate, decreasing failures and increasing the graduation rate.

The superintendent said he helped establish a ninth-grade academy and saw the results. He said the academy will produce results by providing an opportunity and a level of assistance to the freshmen not currently available.

Like the other aspects of his plan, McDaniel’s first step was to establish a committee to study the proposal and whether or not it would work for the Englewood School District. After a lot of research and 19 hours of committee work, the group reported the idea was feasible. However, instead of immediate action, the study group recommended phasing in the academy over the next two school years.

“The committee did a ton of work. They worked with focus groups from the community; did a lot of research,” he said. “The conclusion was the phase-in recommendation so we don’t get ahead of ourselves.”

One of the first steps is a summer bridge program. The program would provide academic assistance for incoming ninth-graders who need help catching up with their classmates, particularly in math and Englewood.

The program also would provide a detailed orientation for all incoming freshmen and there would be a liaison counselor who will help place the incoming ninth-graders and will identify and work with at-risk freshmen.

Ninth-graders joining the high school in August 2009 also will be introduced to the new freshman seminar program.

The seminar is a mandatory course that will be part of the regular class schedule for all freshmen.

The program will introduce skills for academic success such as improving study habits and note- and test-taking skills. The seminar also will cover digital citizenship which not only explores Web sites but stresses Web safety.

A goal of the guidance and counseling is to have all freshmen develop a detailed plan for the classes and goals for the remainder of high school as well as at least an outline of what the individual student wishes to do after high school graduation.

The second phase of implementation will include establishing a separate wing for the academy classes and developing a core team of freshmen teachers.