AURORA, Colo. — At Vista PEAK Preparatory college in Aurora, college students are inspired to consider their post-high college future. However even for devoted college students, that actuality might not set in till junior or senior yr.
Sadly by then, many college students are taking part in catch up, Principal Jason Maclin stated.
“Quite a lot of college students once you speak to them, particularly in that eleventh and twelfth grade yr, a quite common response is, I want I’d have taken ninth and tenth grade extra significantly,” Maclin stated.
So the college is attempting one thing new to inspire ninth and tenth graders by acknowledging those that are working arduous towards commencement. In April, Vista PEAK Preparatory will host a “half-cap” ceremony for sophomores who’ve met the necessities as much as that time.
“Quite a lot of the analysis exhibits that tenth grade is sort of the forgotten or invisible yr of highschool, and we simply needed to discover a option to rejoice scholar progress in addition to have interaction households,” Maclin stated.
He received the thought from his time in Chicago faculties the place half-cap ceremonies are extra frequent. This would be the first one in Aurora Public Faculties. Vista PEAK Preparatory is an innovation college, which allowed it to dedicate sources to the distinctive ceremony.
Sophomore Maddie Dion-Childers is on observe to take part within the half-cap ceremony. She stated it’s nice motivation since commencement can appear far-off for ninth and tenth graders.
“You generally assume you could have on a regular basis nevertheless it’s higher to start out getting ready earlier,” Dion-Childers stated.
Sophomore Fatoumata Dioubata stated it’ll additionally inspire juniors and seniors to remain centered.
“Lots of people drop out of highschool, however this can be a good little reminder like, I received the half-cap, I’m nearly there,” she stated.
The half-cap ceremony is about for April 25, 2024. There shall be a keynote speaker, performances and speeches from the highest tenth grade college students. Principal Maclin stated they’re additionally hoping to have some sort of commencement “cap” college students can put on.
“We’ll make it a really huge deal. And it needs to be enjoyable,” he stated.
Vista Peak provides tenth grade ceremony to encourage college students to remain on observe
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