We are an inner-city public high school with all the issues one might expect of lower income inner-city students. However, more than 80% of our students go to college! And we have an educational environment that promotes growth and learning. This may be because we are the only all-International Baccalaureate inner-city public high school in the United States.
Our students have decided to accept academic rigor in an urban public school and have achieved remarkable success.
Our program began six years ago with 60 students who are now all in college. In the fall, we began our seventh year with over 1100 students. We are changing the paradigm in our state.
We are located in the oldest high school building in our state and have become the flagship high school for the largest school district in our state. The stakes are very high, but we know that all students can succeed in a rigorous college prep program. So far, it has worked and we are only getting better.
My Project
Current research in math education shows that one of the most effective ways for students to learn math and develop mathematical thinking is for them to do open-ended engaging projects in a group setting. In my classes, we do many projects directly related to science and math where students get to be creative and discover math skills while strengthening the brain pathways that allow strong problem solving ability.
Students who participate in extracurricular activities are more successful.
I reasoned that gaming is an excellent way for students to participate in an extracurricular activity where they can socialize in a positive way while also developing stronger problem solving skills. I began a board gaming club at my high school. It has been very successful so I would like to expand it and take some of my students out to elementary and middle schools to teach board games to younger students.
These three board games were chosen because they are ranked very high on gaming sites, they have a strong strategy element and they teach geography, math and science. They will be used by several schools in my district.
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