Fraser Report 2014
Here is an article from todays Toronto Sun, something we should be very proud of!:
FRASER REPORT
Personal touch gives edge to Iroquois Ridge H.S.
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Robinson has been doing this since taking the helm at the Oakville school four years ago and is usually joined by the school’s student success team leader Kris Reeve, who gives out plenty of fist bumps to bleary-eyed kids as they shuffle into the building.
It’s a daily ritual Robinson says is a reason for the overall high academic performance of Iroquois Ridge’s 1,249 students.
Now, in its 19th year of operation, Iroquois Ridge finds itself on the Fraser Institute’s list of the top 10 high schools in Halton Region with a score of 9 out of 10 when it comes to standardized testing on literacy and numeracy.
“It comes down to teamwork and, right there with that, a culture of high expectations for every kid in our building,” said Robinson, a former high-performance athlete who knows full-well the benefits of building confidence.
“I think building relationships is key, and if we’re in an environment in which we all work together, and we feel that we are all in this together ... it builds trust with our kids, trust with each other, and it sets the stage for students taking risks and being the best (they) can be,” she added.
It’s that emphasis on support and inclusiveness, she says, that has kept instances of lateness and absenteeism low.
Something else that has helped keep grades high is the school’s “student success” team, a group of senior staff quick to act when they spot a pupil falling behind. The team meets weekly with senior administration and guidance staff to discuss students at risk, and, in particular, those with grades falling below 60%.
“We bring up any at-risk students ... who may be struggling academically, socially, or economically ... and then somebody (from the team) will take on the assignment of seeing that student and following up with them to see how we can help,” said Reeve, adding that a struggling student is also urged to take advantage of Iroquois Ridge’s academic support programs.
For one, there are Learning At Lunch sessions, where teachers lend a hand tutoring for math- and language-based subjects. There are also teacher-supervised “blended learning” classes in which students use various forms of e-learning and online courses, the latter of which is offered by the Halton District School Board as a way of working toward missing credits. As well, parent-teacher meetings take place early in semesters as a way of getting a jump on any concerns.
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