Academics

Renaissance High School is composed of approximately 130 students grades 9-12.  There are 9 full time teachers and 2 part time teachers that teach between 1 and 5 courses each.  There are 2 special education teachers that have an emotional impairment program and a learning disabled program, and two paraeducators to support students on caseload.  Support staff consists of a full time counselor, a social worker, and a student support coach (who holds a masters in social work) that is in the building Monday through Thursday.  Average class size is 18 students.  Free breakfast and lunch was approved for the entire school due to consistently high rates of free and reduced lunch applications.  The male to female ratio is relatively equal with some years at a higher rate of boys by 3 to 5 percentage points.  Seniors (4th, 5th, and 6th year) represent approximately half of the population.  Our program consists of 65% in district students and 35% out of district students all having struggled in a traditional setting.  Some struggles include social emotional, academic, and attendance.  We have several robust community partners such as Clarkston Optimists Club, Waypoint Church, Clarkston United Methodist Church, and Clarkston Community Church.  They provide funding for special programming, are members of our mentoring program, and each have given scholarships in varying amounts to graduating students.

Some of the interventions include offering credit recovery two-weeks at the end of each semester.  This resulted in a marked increase in students earning credit in math, english, and science courses.  We offer online classes as a means of credit recovery.  A member of the teaching staff is on the district’s project-based learning cohort.  Each teacher has worked to create true project-based learning units to increase engagement and student led learning.  Students have the opportunity to take advantage of dual enrollment at Oakland Community College.  This is an area we would like to expand since our neighboring church and partner committed to giving each graduate a $300.00 scholarship.