CCEA Plus 2025 Surf's Up! Riding the Waves of Opportunity

Students who struggle in traditional high schools often find a path to graduation at continuation high schools. There are many reasons that students can disengage from conventional high schools, including attendance challenges, family circumstances, learning differences, mental health challenges, socioeconomic challenges, systemic inequities, etc. Students who have experienced educational obstacles often need extra support reengaging with classroom learning. We were inspired by the work of Tali Sherman at Lloyde High School, to develop a six-week onboarding course at New Valley called Success at NVHS. This course aims to help students recognize the importance of high school education, identify the obstacles that have hindered past success, develop skills needed to succeed in and outside of the classroom, and connect to the school community. In the course, we engage in goal setting and future planning, self-story reflection, social-emotional learning, community circles, study and academic skill development, relationship building, ELA skill development, school attendance development, and emotional regulation/coping skills. Sample activities include a story of self, an apology letter, a gratitude letter, a goal-setting activity, CATCH annotations, and a discussion of the neuroscience of teen decision making. More than 80% of students are reporting that they enjoy the class. Two-thirds are reporting that the class is improving their attendance. The majority of students report that they have made friends in the class and connected to the teachers. The majority of students report that the class has impacted their decisions in and out of class at New Valley. Office referrals are also down over 90% during the ‘24-’25 school year. This course along with a redesigned MTSS Behavior program are likely contributing factors to this decline in referrals.