STUDENTS' TIES MAKE THEM FEEL LIKE WINNERS.

Byline: Jennifer Radcliffe Staff Writer

VAN NUYS - Sixth-grader Pablo Kuh tries not to fidget as a classmate makes a knot in his wide, black necktie.

The 12-year-old used to don fancy attire only at quincineras, but now he sports the tie at Robert Fulton Middle School every Tuesday, which is ``business attire day,'' the institution's effort to encourage students to take school more seriously.

While the program is just four weeks old and is not mandatory, hundreds of students have joined in - often borrowing assorted neckwear from a box of donated ties and then finding someone more skilled to help them with the tying.

That's when the magic happens.

``The kids put on the ties, and all of the sudden, they're, like, 'Good morning, ma'am,''' said Marsh Kline, the school's math coach. ``They walk differently.''

Principal Robert Garcia added: ``They strut around like penguins.''

Even some of the girls and female teachers are putting on ties.

A stricter dress code and ``business attire'' Tuesdays are among the steps Garcia, a 34-year-old San Fernando High graduate, is making to combat the cycle of failure at Los Angeles Unified middle schools.

``The last place to catch them is in seventh and eighth grade,'' said Garcia, who shines his shoes and wears a tie and vest Tuesdays. ``Ninth grade is too late. We're basically doing damage control.''

Districtwide, only 8 percent of middle schools meet their federal progress goals, compared with 70 percent of elementary schools and 19 percent of high schools.

Fulton is no exception. Like most Los Angeles Unified School District middle schools, it's designated as a ``Program Improvement'' school, meaning it has repeatedly failed to meet federal No Child Left Behind standards. Its Academic Performance Index is 569 out of a possible 1,000. The state goal is 800.

``It means that we're struggling, and there's much work to do,'' Garcia said. ``We really need to show some improvement.''

Since taking the reins at Fulton last spring, Garcia has been enforcing the school's existing dress code, which requires collared shirts tucked into blue or khaki pants.

The school was repainted, and the LAUSD school board voted officially last week to allow Fulton to change its name to Fulton College Preparatory School, reflecting the school's higher standards and its addition of a freshman class this year. The school will eventually grow to span grades six through 12.

About 200 freshmen attend Fulton this year. They had to complete an application before they could enroll and decide whether to be part of the school's leadership academy or global communications academy - both newly designed small-learning communities.

Students said they like Fulton's serious attitude.

``I feel more grown up, I guess, more mature,'' said Charles Roquemore, a 14-year-old freshman from Van Nuys, who also wears a tie to church every Sunday. ``Ever since the tuck-in rule and the tie, there hasn't been any problems.''

Administrators say the dress code has made students more respectful and helped reduce the number of fights on campus.

``I haven't even seen a fight. To me, it's very unusual,'' said LAUSD police officer Alex Barrios, who is stationed at the school.

Parents agree that the small changes have made a big difference on the campus.

``Is it the uniforms? I don't think so, but it's something inside,''said Kenia Marrder, co-director of Fulton's middle school.

Many of these students are poor and might never have imagined themselves wearing ties, let alone attending college. Changing that has improved their self-esteem and encouraged them to study harder.

``It's beautiful. It's amazing. I'm so happy with the changes,'' said Raquel Rojas, who also works at the school's Parent Center.

Garcia said it's his goal to make Fulton as good as a private school. Students from the Van Nuys area deserve that, he said.

While Fulton's climate is just starting to change, Garcia said, he's certain the effort will be a success.

``We're the underdogs. We're going to sneak up on some people.''

Jennifer Radcliffe, [phone]

jennifer.radcliffe(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Sixth-grader Elba Vega, 12, knots a necktie on a recent Tuesday morning during a weekly ``business attire day'' at Fulton Middle School.

(2 -- 3 -- color) Above, teacher Jeremy Mesa helps eighth-grade student Mariela Montoya, 13, knot her tie for Fulton Middle School's ``business attire day.'' Right, student Diego Erazo, 12, fiddles with a tie that also seems to be a study aid.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer