A World of Achievement

Black, Hispanic, ELL and economically disadvantaged students at Park View High School in Virginia consistently outperform their peers across the state. It's not a case of a few kids "beating the odds"—the school has actually changed the odds for these students. What's the secret?

Entering the lobby of Park View High School in Sterling, VA is like entering another world. The diversity in the student body is reflected in flags from 63 of the 80 countries that are represented in the student population and in a special project for Hispanic Heritage Month, which covers the walls of an entire hallway.

The school walls, hallways, and stairwells are a celebration of outstanding achievement, featuring students’ academic work, photos of high achievers on Virginia state tests, student honors and trophies, class murals, paintings, sculptures, and other artwork. Diversity is also reflected among class officers and student representatives and by a notable sense of friendship among different cultures and races.

Evidence of the commitment to supporting all students is abundant. In the ESL Department, which works with 20% of the 1,200 students in the school, there are eight teachers, nine assistants, a dedicated counselor, and a parent liaison. An equity facilitation team that is composed of counselors and classroom teachers provides basic equity training to help teachers create culturally responsive classrooms. One of the school’s goals is to provide equal access and outreach for underserved minorities to upper-level honors and AP courses.

To prepare students for this rigorous curriculum, the school has instituted numerous programs, including... (read the full story at the Source link below).