FOCUS

Focus Program

The Road to Success
"The great thing in this world is not so much where we are but in which direction we are moving."

Our Vision: Seeing Ahead
Foster the growth and development of student-centered exhibitions that link students to powerful and valuable resources beyond the classroom.

Our Mission: Driving Forward
To produce confident, enthusiastic and self–regulating learners through carefully planned, student-centered team instruction.

The goals of the program include:

Encourage the development of problem-based or inquiry learning

Promote higher order thinking skills

Ensure skill mastery through meaningful projects

Build positive character through accountability and responsibility

Integrate technology that will facilitate and advance learning

Enroll more Focus students in IB or challenging courses as 10th graders

Sustain gains or success on all end of course SOL assessments

The Focus Program is a ninth grade team teaching academic skills-based program designed to help students make the successful transition from middle to high school. Two teams of teachers, one from each content area (English, Social Studies, Science, Math) plan and integrate project-based learning opportunities, content enhancement activities and reading initiatives with technology serving frequently as the major impetus.

History

Edison High School's now retired principal, Luke Fennell, believed in seizing opportunities, accepting challenges, and working hard to achieve results. As a result of this philosophy, Edison launched the Focus 2000 program as a pilot for one hundred rising ninth grade students during the 1999-2000 school year. The McGettigan Foundation, founder Pat McGettigan, awarded Edison an educational grant to provide state of the art wireless mobile laptops, SmartBoard Technology, and other curricular support materials for all the Focus classrooms and teachers. One of the program's original goals was to focus on technology as an enhancing and powerful learning tool to motivate students to explore further learning.

The Focus 2000 pilot program proved very successful as measured by positive gains on all ninth grade SOLs. Thus, as a result of these sustained positive results, the Focus Program became a permanent entity at Edison, enrolling approximately 200 ninth graders. Further, the name of the program changed from Focus 2000 to Focus 2004, signifying the first graduating class required to earn a specified number of verified units of credit to graduate. Lastly, as the program's success and enrollment increased, so did the aim of the program with the motto, "A Greater Focus...Stronger Purpose...Higher Calling" in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Success Prep? It is a course designed to give all Focus students additional time with content teachers. The emphasis is on reinforcing SOL content objectives and advancing critical reading, writing and thinking skills. The latter is necessary for success in all IB courses offered at Edison. It is our hope that all Focus students enroll in one or more IB courses in their high school career. Success Prep equips the student with the necessary skills to succeed in higher level courses.

How are students chosen to be in the program? Students are chosen to be in the program based on counselor, parent or teacher recommendations. They must demonstrate average aptitude or success and a willingness to learn more advanced or critical skills needed to possibly matriculate or enroll in challenging courses throughout high school.

Generally, what classes will a Focus student take? Students take two academic content classes per semester. For example, Student A would enroll in Social Studies and English first semester and take Science and Math second semester or vice versa. Electives are Foreign Languages, Art, Physical Education/Health, ROTC, Band, Chorus, etc. Electives alternate on an A/B or Day 1/Day 2 basis meaning Student A on Day 1 would have ROTC but on Day 2, Success Prep.

Can students earn a credit for the course? Yes. Upon successful completion of Success Prep, a student earns one elective credit.

What makes the Focus Program unique? Through the implementation of several engaging, student-centered activities for all ability levels, the Focus Program is committed to meeting students where they are. Also, students have extensive exposure and practice with SmartBoard and mobile wireless laptop technology using PowerPoint, Excel, Inspiration, Publisher, BlackBoard and Word computer software applications.