Freshman Success = High School Success

Studies continue to prove that freshman success is the best indicator of graduation rates in high school. At RPA, we take every care to build in success from the beginning of high school. RPA invests heavily in our freshmen by building early success into their schedules. The Freshman Student Success Team (SST) takes time to get to know each of their students and their needs and is available through email, phone/text, and appointment.
Freshmen at RPA will be offered either Freshman Seminar or Civics Seminar in order to engage in and engage in/build the following:

  • Personal/Interpersonal Skills:
    Continue the process of discovering and knowing self through group interactions and through varied self-assessments
    Connect with peers
    Community Service Opportunities
  • Life Skills:
    The Seven Habits of the Highly Effective RPA Student (Dependability, Optimism, Respect, Curiosity, Zest, Grit, and Gratitude)
    Identity Protection
  • Post Secondary Prep:
    Interest/skills-based Research about Potential Careers
    Resumes
    Mock Interviews
    Post-secondary options
    Research Colleges
    College Trips
    ACT Aspire Testing

Hartman, J., Wilkins, C., Gregory, L., Gould, L. F., & D’Souza, S. (2011). Applying an on­track indicator for high school graduation: Adapting the Consortium on Chicago School Research indicator for five Texas districts. (Issues & Answers Report, REL 2011–No.100). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Regional Educational Laboratory Southwest.Available from: http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED514377.pdf

This study uses a measure of the on-track or off-track status of students at the end of grade 9 as an indicator of whether students in five Texas districts would graduate from high school in four years. In all five districts, on-time graduation rates were higher for students who were on track at the end of grade 9 than for students who were off track, both for students overall and for all racial/ethnic groups.

**from https://www.relcentral.org/what-are-the-key-indicators-of-success-for-high-school-students/