District to Start Freshman Academy in August

The Mehlville School District is debuting a program for eighth-graders who need extra help transitioning to high school.

Starting in August, 30 incoming ninth-graders will join the Freshman Academy, created to help students better adapt to high school.

Superintendent Eric Knost called the academy another phase of the district’s alternative program. It is one of the first in the area specific to freshmen.

“It either becomes an early identifier to our alternative program or career technical training,” he said when presenting the idea in November. “Or it will be that stepping stone for those kids that really floundered in middle school… to spend a year in a much smaller environment.”

The students will spend half of their school day at the  working on core subjects through a virtual curriculum. Then they’ll return to Mehlville or Oakville high schools for elective classes.

A morning and afternoon session with 15 students in each class will allow the teacher to work more closely with the students, the superintendent said.

One staff member will oversee the students and Knost said the district would rearrange staffing positions so the academy will not require any additional staff.

The academy is currently at capacity, but students can apply through their middle school guidance counselors for a spot in the future.

“The Freshman Academy will help students who may have struggled in grade school and middle school to make a smooth transition into high school,” said Mark Catalana, Director of Alternative Programs, in a district release. “The program will focus on the ninth-grade curriculum while incorporating lessons on organization and study skills that will be helpful to students throughout their school careers.”

 when district administration realized they were having an increase in eighth-graders who weren't ready to move on to high school.

Assistant Superintendent Brian Lane put together a committee made up of approximately 20 counselors, administrators and teachers at the middle school level. After research, they found promoting students to the ninth grade with failing grades was not successful, but neither was retaining them to repeat the eighth grade. 

Transportation to Witzel is already set up through the alternative academy and students can get shuttles to their respective high schools to complete elective courses. If their grades meet the district’s criteria, the students will still be allowed to participate in sports and other extracurricular activities.

The program’s success will be measured by students’ grades as well as attendance and behavior.