1. School Improvement : A Thematic Approach
Varina High School Leadership Team
Henrico, VA

2. Who are we? 1600 students – grades 9-12 150 staff 60% black; 40% white
50% free and reduced lunch
Regained full accreditation in September 2015 & will maintain for 16-17
94% OTGR

3. EVERYTHING is based in the School Improvement Plan
Our Approach
EVERYTHING is based in the School Improvement Plan

4. Step 1: What needs to be improved?
Immersion report – staff and student feedback
Three questions (sent electronically and offered face-to-face meetings)
Three things that are great.
Two things that need to be tweaked.
One thing that MUST change
Connection to district initiatives
Data
SOLs, OTGR, etc.
Stakeholder survey data
Historical standardized test data on all students

5. Step 2: Organizing the Plan around a Theme
We Read (reading across the curriculum)
We Inspire (school spirit and morale)
We Achieve (Core+ E/PF; SAT; Advanced/AP courses)
Together (community outreach)
No Excuses (behavior; now PBIS)

6. Step 3: Setting Goals for the Plan
Each part of the plan is a PLC with a teacher & admin leader.
PLC should have student member and parent member when possible
Every teacher belongs to PLC
Core department leaders serve as Core PLC leaders to fulfill actual School- Improvement requirements for Accredited with Warning Status
Each PLC leader works with team to diagnose root cause and to set a SMART goal and build an action plan
Core plans are reflected in department meetings and individual plans

7. Step 4: Monitoring & Adjusting
Monthly meetings by PLC leaders
Part of the monthly faculty meeting (reports and PD)
Quarterly written reports (Google Doc)
School leaders review – end of year
Constant reminders to the faculty
Letting them ask “WHY”

8. The Plan in Action We Read – Reading Specialist
DEAR time
Staff development
Reading Specialist (16-17)
School-Wide Book (16-17)
Little Free Library
SAT reading passages
We Inspire – SCA Sponsor
Josten’s Renaissnace
Teacher Reward Program – Devil Dollars
Academic Pep Rallies

9. The Plan in Action We Achieve – 2 APs & Intern
Common planning (certain areas)
Advanced/AP focus
Economics/Personal Finance (5th core)
Staff Development by content
Master Schedule decisions
At-Risk Meetings
Benchmark/Data meetings
Above and Beyond Class time (directed study)
Self Reflection in observation process
Together – Associate Principal
Community outreach
Student Advisory
Support Staff

10. The Plan in Action No Excuses – AP and BLISS Teacher
PBIS
Discipline Support Team
School-Wide PD: Give ‘Em Five
Other Places to Consider
Staff shirts/Activities – Different focus each year
Year 0 – Positive
Year 1 – Math and CSIP areas
Year 2 – PBIS
Year 3 - Reading
Budget decisions/Resource Requests
Teacher Work Week