What the students are saying:

 

"It’s a place where we face challenges, learn new concepts, express our creativity, and reach our full potentials, together; as one big family." - Kaleigh S

 

"AHAP has taught me to be proactive and to do what you can to help others and make a difference. It has helped me learn my strengths and weaknesses, taught me to make the best of any situation and never give up no matter how long it takes to achieve my goals." - Bradley S

 

"AHAP is where kids go to be creative and solve problems as a team. AHAP is a place to learn, grow, explore, and think critically." - Delina A

 

"AHAP truly pushed my classmates and me through important life lessons; some that brought us down, some that brought us up, and all of them that brought us closer together. These experiences will leave an imprint on not just our brains, but our hearts, too." - Olivia G

“Until recently, racial and ethnic achievement disparities in elite suburban school districts were seldom discussed in public. Schools took pride, as they still do, in the numbers of graduates matriculating to prestigious universities.”

Dr. Ronald Ferguson, Harvard University

 

 

 

Love Foy, Facilitator, The Rising Star Academy

Patricia Hobson,Candlewood Middle School's Coordinator

Angelica Conway, West Hollow Middle School's Coordinator

 

 

The Rising Star Academy, began in 2004, recognizes a core group of ethnically diverse middle school students who are rising stars and who have formed a community of achievers. The Academy is meant to address and remove achievement disparities, in particular, focusing on Honors and Advanced Placement participation and success and overall academic success and school community involvement. Topics encompassed by the program included personal responsibility, leadership qualities and self-confidence. Students share with one another their thoughts about success and the obstacles that may arise in the path of success. They practice effective listening strategies, develop a personal scrapbook and set goals for the upcoming year. Teachers and mentors are paired with students in order to form an allegiance of support and friendship that would continue throughout the middle school years following the experience. Perhaps the most interesting finding of Dr. Ferguson’s work is the distinctive importance of teacher encouragement as a reported source of motivation. The special importance of encouragement highlights the likely importance of strong teacher – student relationships in affecting achievement at the middle school level and beyond. Also highlighting the importance of trying to understand how students experience school. This is addressed by the academy’s strong focus on connections not only to peers but to faculty.

 

 

 

A review of rising star alumni who have completed high school found that they had an overall GPA of 88; an average of 91 on the English-Language Arts Regents Examination; an average of 92 on the Algebra Regents Examination and an average of 90 on the Biology Regents Examination. In addition, over 94% of the students had participated in Honors and/or Advanced Placement courses.

 

Each summer The Rising Star Academy is pleased to welcome a new cohort of 6th graders to participate in the summer academy and continue the tradition of excellence!

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Half Hollow Hills, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to advanced courses, fostering a rich academic experience for every student. 

 

Advanced coursework not only helps your child develop higher-level skills and demonstrate their abilities, but it also offers many other valuable benefits including boosting self-confidence and fostering a positive self-image, earning college credits before graduating, and cutting down future education costs. These opportunities can make a real difference in your child's academic journey and beyond!

 

Our school counselors work individually with students, reviewing advanced course offerings and helping them to choose those aligned with their interests and graduation requirements. To facilitate equitable participation, we eliminate barriers by providing supplemental support through writing and math centers, extended assistance before and after school, and offering affordable and/or reduced fees when applicable.

 

To learn more about the advanced coursework available to your child, please review the information below. We encourage parents/guardians to also reach out to their child's counselor to learn how to prepare for and enroll in advanced courses.

 

Together, we can ensure that every student who is interested in pursuing advanced coursework has the ability to do so.