West Orange, NJ - West Orange High School (WOHS) welcomed its second cohort of summer school students into the "West Orange Public Schools Summer Institute Credit Recovery" on July 1, 2019. The Summer Institute affords students in grades 9 through 12 the opportunity to recover course credits towards graduation.
Courses offered this year are Algebra I and Algebra II, and English 9/10, English 11, and English 12. Classes are taught by WOHS educators Ms. Saira Azad, Ms. Elicia Baker, Ms. Lori Bollotta, Ms. Teresa Harris, Mr. Allan Norville, Mr. Jonathan Tick, and Ms. Caniece Williams. Classes meet Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 12 pm over a five-week period.
This summer, the Institute provided increased course offerings in both Math and English Language Arts. Courses remain free of charge to West Orange residents while out-of-district residents pay a fee of $340, which is competitive with other local school districts.
Summer Institute Coordinator, Dana Peart, explained that the Institute enrolled 51 students this year, four of whom are on target to graduate and receive their high school diploma in a few days.
“It is truly gratifying to see these students focused on learning and taking advantage of this opportunity to recover course credit through this program, particularly those who will graduate in August.” she said.
Ms. Peart has received positive feedback from teachers and students alike. Algebra II teacher Allan Norville replied, “This coursework reinforces important skills that students often forget over the summer. Students who are attending the Summer Institute will be well prepared for the next level of coursework in September.”
English teacher Saira Azad stated, “The Summer Institute allows students to receive more individualized instruction. Students are thus able to improve their content area skills by identifying their strengths and pinpointing their weaknesses via conferencing and one-on-one instruction.
Graduating Senior, Nahgie Robinson-Purefoy, is not only enjoying the literature he is reading in Ms. Baker’s class, but expressed gratitude for the chance to recover his course credits.
“It feels good to have the opportunity to take this course and not have to come back to school for another year. I do not have to prolong my future plans and I can get on with my life. I appreciate this chance very much,” he remarked.
The final three days of the program are reserved for the mandatory New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA), giving students the opportunity to pass or improve their previous test scores.
The Summer Institute concludes on August 1, 2019.
WOHS Math teacher Alan Norville teaches a class.
