Even with these requirements, achievement levels
and student needs are far from uniform, MLK Executive Principal Angela McShepard-Ray said.
“Students do score higher on state-mandated
tests. However, those scores range,” Dr. McShepard-Ray said. “There’s the highest of the high,
middle of the high, and lowest of the high. It can
be challenging, especially when you have a high
range in one classroom.”
MLK has achieved remarkable success in fostering high-level achievement among students at the
highest tiers and significant growth for middle
and lower tiers. High expectations are built into
the curriculum. At MLK, every class starting in
ninth grade is honors-level or higher. Advanced
Placement (AP) class offerings are extensive. MLK
currently offers 25 AP-level courses, with another
due to be added in the next school year. Students
choose their own courses, but all paths available
are challenging.
“When students come in, they are expected to
achieve at that Advanced Placement level, or at
minimum, at the honors level,” said Dr. McShepard-Ray.
Transitions to high school grades are eased
through the Freshman Forum, a program that keeps
teachers in regular contact with ninth-grade students and their parents. Students across MLK in the
“low-high” range receive support through study hall
time and tutoring opportunities, plus teachers make
time during lunch and after school to provide skill
foundations. Assignment selection within classrooms can be differentiated according to student
need. The highest achievers are monitored to
ensure that higher-level work is taking place – students can opt to add AP classes, and a few elect
to trade study hall for extra class time.
For all students, coursework is intended to be challenging. Dr. McShepard-Ray said the school works
to keep parents and students aware of course
and GPA requirements at MLK, so students aren’t
shocked by the workload.
“That’s a message going out from seventh-graders
to seniors: ‘You worked hard to get into MLK. Now
that you’re here, the work is just beginning,’” Dr.
McShepard-Ray said.
While many MLK students could be considered
academically driven, Dr. McShepard-Ray said that
some days are inevitably better than others – and
everyone needs support at some point. The school
takes motivation seriously, for students at all levels.
One issue that often arises is that students will
falter in their willingness to tackle the demands
of AP classes. Mr. Dowlen recalls working with a
36