ACADEMY OFFERS HEAD START; NEW CAMPUS FOR LOW-ACHIEVING STUDENTS SET TO OPEN.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer

A group of 133 ninth-graders identified as at risk of failing will begin classes today at Passport Academy, the William S. Hart Union High School District's newest campus, one geared at helping the freshmen succeed.

The $500,000 campus made up of 11 portable classroom adjacent to the district Redview Drive office was established to give low-achieving students a head start.

``We really want to provide an opportunity for learning,'' said school administrator John Krinkle. ``This gives us a chance to do more interactive and hands-on activities with the students.''

While most ninth-graders within the district began classes Aug. 30 at the four traditional high schools, students at Passport Academy will start their freshman year today.

That won't be the only difference at the district's newest high school.

Designed with higher emphasis on learning and success, students will attend school from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and some classes will be in blocks of 90 minutes every other day.

Classes at Passport will also have fewer students.

There will be just 18 students in math no more than 30 in history, computer, and technology classes, 40 in physical education and 25 to 30 in health guidance.

``It's a small, intimate environment,'' he said. ``We want to personalize the education for these students.''

At the end of each day, students will be broken up into smaller groups of about 13 for tutorials, where all the staff and administrators focus their attention on students.

``What we'll be doing is giving them a head start on their homework,'' Krinkle said. ``It gives us a little extra time to be with the kids.''

At the end of last year, eighth-graders who did not meet the minimum requirements to go to high school were identified as possible candidates for Passport. Although some went to summer school and made up deficient credits, others chose Passport.

``I even had some students who had the credits but chose to go to Passport,'' Krinkle said.

Students attending Passport Academy will be taking high school classes including English, world civilization, fine arts, math, physical education and an elective in guidance or technology.

No science classes will be offered because there is no science facility.

After completing the program, students will progress to the 10th grade at a traditional high school.

Although world civilization is typically a 10th-grade course, it is being taught at Passport to help students tackle what has been found to be a tough class.

Leslie Crunelle, the Hart District's assistant superintendent of educational services, developed the idea for Passport well before a new state law mandated the retention of poorly performing students. In the past, public schools promoted failing students to avoid causing them social problems equated with retention.

The law allows the district to classify Passport as a mandated retention alternative program.

As part of the law, the governing board of each school district must approve a policy identifying students at risk of being retained at their grade levels.

``We're looking for those that aren't making it or are barely making it, those who have a history of problems academically,'' Krinkle said.

Passport graduates will be tracked as they continue through high school.

``We want to make sure that they do well,'' Krinkle said. ``We will offer whatever we have to make sure that those kids get through.''

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Photo: (color) John Krinkle is administrator of Passport Academy in Saugus.

Bhavna Mistry/Special to the Daily News