Exploring New Horizons

Building on our early learnings from our core network partnerships, in 2021 RISE launched efforts to extend and deepen our impact through research dissemination and strategic partnerships with schools across the state and region.

Facilitating a New Freshman Success Network with Hartford Public Schools

In Hartford, four high schools have partnered with the RISE Network to scale freshman success strategies across the district, with the goal of improving Grade 9 on-track achievement.

The partnership, facilitated by the RISE Network, between Weaver High School, Bulkeley High School, Richard J. Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts, and Hartford Public High School, has seen first-time Grade 9 students passing 6 or more classes rise from 66 percent in 2019-20 to 74 percent in 2020-21.

For incoming freshmen, the transition to high school can be challenging. By bringing educators together to share their expertise and use data to personalize student supports, RISE collaborates with schools to ensure Grade 9 students stay on-track and earn enough credits to promote on time to Grade 10 and ultimately graduate prepared for postsecondary success.

Through the partnership in Hartford, school teams engage in weekly student-centered data meetings, monthly coaching with RISE staff, and monthly cross-school collaborative learning sessions. Grade 9 teams are pursuing new strategies to help all students successfully transition to, through, and beyond high school.

“Working with RISE has transformed the way I go about my work with the freshman team,” said Brooke Lafreniere, Principal, Bulkeley High School. “We have had huge increases in the number of students that are on track. Every teacher in the building can articulate what it means to be on track and the students can know what that means and then explain it to parents.”

Tiffany Webley, Principal at Weaver High School, said the partnership has allowed her to strategically reach each student.

“The data is one thing, but having a plan to reach each student where they are is the real tool,” said Webley. “We can look at each student and assess how we respond.”