Various WJ programs fight to improve learning and school environments for all. The Equal Opportunity Schools (EOS) program and the Study Circles program take input from students, teachers and staff to combat racism and improve the school environment.
The Study Circles program holds meetings that focus on what is going well, as well as what needs improvement in the school environment. The first meetings will be on Dec. 10 and 11.
The program is a direct window into student life and gives the student body more of a voice in the school. Some issues that are decided to be the most important are later brought up in staff meetings.
“Study circles are a good example of actually disrupting racism in schools,” staff developer and study circle facilitator, Melanie Schwed said.
From these meetings, they have also formed a student advisory board which continues the work of the study circles. These students meet to discuss the issues touched on during the meetings, delving into the complexity of racism as a whole, which is generally a main topic of the Study Circles.
“Study Circles benefit understanding of issues not everyone sees in school,” English teacher and study circle facilitator Claire Lipsitz said.
The EOS program also strives to create equal opportunities and support for Advanced Placement classes. Many underrepresented students felt they had never been recommended to take AP classes, which is why EOS made it their goal to make them feel comfortable. Data also shows that the school demographic is more diverse than the AP program demographic, which WJ has dedicated itself to balancing out. EOS members want to increase minority participation in the AP program and develop protocols to make people feel more welcome. Many students feel the benefits and support of these programs.
“My teacher is very flexible and supportive when it comes to quizzes and workload in my AP class,” first-year junior AP student Itara Phillips said.
WJ staff made a point to highlight how accessible and achievable AP classes are with the right support and resources. AP classes also have a big impact on the college process, increasing chances of completing college credits and getting into a more prestigious school.
“If you take just one AP course in your time in high school, it increases your chances of going to college, staying in college and being successful,” Schwed said.
In order to make everyone feel welcome in their APs, teachers have been contacted and provided with a list of their current students who have never taken an AP before. These students are routinely checked on to make sure they have the support and resources needed to work and learn effectively.
Monthly study sessions have also been implemented to prepare for the exam and lighten the stress of the courses. These sessions also provide lunch to the students who attend to ensure they have time to come and learn to the best of their ability. These sessions are review for topics and questions presented on the exam and can contribute to students’ higher scores.