BCSC INTRODUCES A TEAM APPROACH

A new program will be in place for the 2023-24 school year in hopes of increasing the graduation rate

On March 6, the BCSC school board decided on implementing a ‘team’ approach for the upcoming school year in response to the declining graduation rate. As of 2022, BCSC reported that 87.9% of high school students graduated. Locally, Brownsburg High School, with a size of 3,013 students, had a graduation rate of 98.5% as of 2021--one of the highest rates in the state. Statewide, the graduation rate is 86.61%.

The goal of this approach is to make Columbus’ high schools have a smaller feel with more attention from staff dedicated to their assigned grade. Each grade will have a specific counselor, advisor, administrator and assistant principal that will stay with that grade until the students graduate

They will be helping with every step of the graduation process and checking in when a student needs help.

by Lydia Weed design by Abby Smith

Although this program will be brand new to students, students are attuned to the differences between smaller and larger school atmospheres. Junior David Komyama discusses the advantages of going to a bigger school.

“I prefer bigger schools since there’s more diversity from the school being more widely available to students,” Komiyama said. “Overall, you are able to grow more as a person because you encounter many scenarios outside of your comfort zone.” Similarly, sophomore Syndey Johnson has attended both smaller and larger schools. She reflects on her time at St. Peter’s to draw comparisons.

“I went to St. Peter’s for eight years before going to North and basically grew up with all my classmates,” Johnson said. “I also felt like I had a better connection with all my teachers because they didn’t have to keep track of many students and they knew my parents and parts of my personal life.”

The team approach is said to be a solution to students feeling like larger school communities result in forming fewer relationships. Assistant principal Jenn Hester says the most important part of the team approach is building relationships.

“My hope is that kids will get to know each other better, especially the freshmen that come in,” Hester said. “Hopefully this will make everyone feel more comfortable and more accepted.”

Parents and guardians will be given a specific resource to contact when they have concerns.

“They have the same administrative assistant they will be calling for attendance or family emergencies,” Hester said. “They know who is dealing with discipline and who is dealing with grades. It seems like this approach will really build strong relationships between everyone.”