by George J Elbaum

The Academy of Arts and Sciences is a small public high school with a total enrollment of only 341 students (82% minority, 48% economically disadvantaged) and 18 full-time teachers, and the school’s program focuses on “the three Rs:  RELATIONSHIPS, RELEVANCE and RIGOR.”  This starts with a belief that strong RELATIONSHIPS are the most fundamental part of a successful school.  If students do not feel supported and cared for when they are on campus, then their academic and social-emotional success in school is compromised.  Additionally, if students feel that what they are learning does not matter to them and is not being taught using RELEVANT pedagogy, they are less engaged and less likely to have a positive academic experience.  Finally, if students have a positive relationship with their teachers and staff members and they enjoy a relevant learning experience, then the school can provide them with a RIGOROUS curriculum and expectations.  The Academy’s small school setting allows its teachers to create an effective learning environment by working closely with students and their families in building a strong community.  Within this community, teachers are able to give more individual attention to students and communicate regularly with parents.

The school also has a unique Wellness Center and Program whose goal is to provide support for students so they may succeed academically and be healthy in body, mind and spirit. To accomplish this, the Wellness Program coordinates and provides non-judgmental, student-focused health, mental health, and substance abuse services and programs for students on campus.

My talk to the 10^th grade classes of World History was organized by history teacher Claire Darby and arranged by Jack Weinstein of Facing History and Ourselves, who made the introduction.

with Jack Weinstein after his introduction