FRESHMAN ACADEMY

Ninth grade is the most critical year in high school. Research shows that students who do not have success during their freshman year of high school are more likely to drop out of school.

At North Little Rock High School, all ninth grade students are enrolled into the Freshman Academy. Freshman Academy is a small learning community in which a group of administrators and teachers works exclusively with ninth graders to create a personalized school within a school that is responsive to their academic and social needs.

Each freshman is placed on a "team," wherein they share the same core teachers. This allows for more concentrated attention on each student, ensuring a safety net of academic and social support. This team meets once per week to discuss innovative ways to meet the needs of their shared students, as well as fun ways to create a memorable freshman experience!

The core components of the Freshman Academy include the following:

A ninth grade administrator/administrative team that oversees the Academy
- 1 Freshman Academy Assistant Principal
- 1 Dean of Students
- 1 School Counselor
- 1 Multi Classroom Leader
A designated space in a separate part of the high school (D Tower)
Faculty assigned to teach freshmen
- English Teacher
- Freshman Seminar Teacher
- Math Teacher
- Science Teacher
- Social Studies Teacher
Teachers organized into interdisciplinary teams that share students to allow successful planning.

The purpose of the Freshman Seminar class is to establish the norms and expectations of NLRHS in order to enhance success throughout students’ high school careers, culminating in graduation and pursuit of post-secondary opportunities. To accomplish these goals, instruction focuses on three areas: intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships, academic professionalism, and career preparedness. By the end of the course, students will be proficient in various skills that allow them to succeed socially, academically, and professionally.