OUR SCHOOLS • JARRETT MIDDLE SCHOOL
Individual progress a schoolwide goal

By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Jarrett Middle School administrators and faculty aren't the only ones who want to see their students' academic performance improve.

Jarrett Middle School students, from left, Ane Kaho, Sherry Tharath and Tierney Ioane, practice on laptops in the eighth-grade computer class. The school in Palolo Valley has just 330 students, which makes for a nurturing atmosphere, says principal Diane Suzuki. The school is now focused on meeting the requirements of No Child Left Behind. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

With a significant portion of the student population coming from the public housing project in Palolo Valley, the school knew many families would not be able to afford to send their children to summer school. So the school started its own summer academy, charging just $25 for the half-day program.

The academy — offered to students who returned to Jarrett in the fall — helped some students rise a grade level or two in reading, and as much as six grade levels in math.

Although the school is scheduled for restructuring under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, its efforts to boost student achievement won approval from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation team during a recent visit.

"Their praise was so high that we felt just absolutely validated in the work that we do here for our children, and that it's working," said vice principal Beverly Barnard.

The campus, which boasts park-like open space and a view of Diamond Head, recently got a complete renovation, electrical upgrade and new fire alarm system.

In contrast to many crowded schools on O'ahu, Jarrett is the smallest middle school in the Honolulu district, with only 330 students in grades six to eight. That allows the school's administrators to know each child by name.

"The people here are very, very nurturing, very caring of our students; it's the people that make us special," said principal Diane Suzuki. "It's very informal, very warm."

Beyond knowing their names, teachers have an individual profile of each student to better meet individual needs based on test and classroom performance. Students can get additional help reading, tutoring or attend a homework center after school.

Technology is also a big part of the Jarrett experience. Not only do all language arts students have access to a laptop in class, Jarrett is the only middle school with an 'Olelo Community Television video production studio on campus.

The arrangement gives 'Olelo a base in the Palolo/ Kaimuki area, and the students benefit from video production classes at all grade levels in which they can create videos and accompany the 'Olelo crew to community activities.

"We already have kids who are so good at taping that they will go with 'Olelo crews on the weekends," Suzuki said.

• What are you most proud of? "We are proudest of the warm, caring, nurturing teachers and staff at Jarrett. Because it is such a small school, everyone knows each student by name," said principal Suzuki.

• Best-kept secret: Although burdened with a negative reputation from the distant past, Jarrett is a safe school, Suzuki said. "Suspensions dropped from 13 percent in school year 2000 to a mere 4 percent last school year. Restrooms are very clean, and there have been no incidents of students caught smoking for over three years," she said.

• Everybody at our school knows: School librarian Evelyn Yamada. She knows the students by name and helps them find interesting books to read for the schoolwide Accelerated Reader program. She also keeps the library open during recess for students to play chess and checkers or use the computer lab.

• Our biggest challenge: No Child Left Behind. Jarrett narrowly missed meeting adequate yearly progress levels last year, meeting 11 of the 13 criteria. The school has taken steps to remedy the situation, including an after-school homework center, supplementary education services and a summer academy. Soon it will begin a program called Families and Students Together to help connect Micronesian parents, children and the school community.

• What we need: Money for the summer academy and reinstatement of a Parent Community Network Coordinator. Money for a library assistant is also on the wish list.

• Special events: A Gun Pledge Dance to celebrate having the most signed pledges against guns and crystal methamphetamine ("ice") for the second year in a row. Other events include "A Day in the Life of a Jarrett Student," Career Day, a year-end banquet, ice skating for students who meet their Accelerated Reader goals and service learning projects.