Empowering Grange Hill High School Students
Committing to Student Welfare and Academic Success
Grange Hill High School is located in what is known as a ZOSO community in Jamaica. Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO) are special security measures implemented to address high levels of crime and violence in specific communities. These zones are designated by the government and are typically areas where criminal activity, including gang-related violence and drug trafficking, is prevalent and poses a significant threat to public safety and order. These communities are also generally plagued with significant socio-economic challenges. The impact on students living in these communities is profound, with many struggling academically and facing barriers to success.
Principal Trevine Donaldson-Lawrence from Grange Hill High School is committed to having her school emerge as a beacon of hope despite the challenging environment. Her commitment to student welfare and academic success is evident in her belief that every student deserves a chance to thrive. Her forward-looking outlook opened the door for collaboration between Grange Hill High School and Jalawelo as there was alignment with Jalawelo's framework for sustainable impact. This partnership is grounded in shared values of empowerment, capacity building, and sustainable change.
Opening up Students’ Eyes to New Possibilities
Jalawelo embarked on a journey to offer an IT training and certification program that goes beyond a traditional education to a select cohort of students. Our goal was to sensitize students to career options that they would not usually consider and to equip them with the skills and guidance needed to navigate their educational journey.
We understood the importance of collaboration and alignment of goals, so we took the time to engage with school administrators and teachers and prioritized building relationships and trust with the leadership at the school. Despite challenges, we persevered, and through open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to student success, we gradually built a strong partnership that laid the foundation for the success of our programs.
As we interacted with the students, we recognized that IT courses and mentoring alone were not sufficient. The need for additional support, particularly in mathematics, became glaringly evident. Many students were failing math, which adversely affected their overall academic performance and confidence. To address these challenges, we expanded our support framework by launching a summer academy focused on math support and study skills. This initiative was designed to provide meaningful educational assistance to our students.
The summer academy was staffed by a highly qualified team of Jalawelo volunteers who went to Jamaica from the US to engage with the students.
Expanding our Program to Meet Key Objectives
Our expanded program in the summer academy was designed with five objectives in mind:
By providing targeted instruction, we aimed to help students grasp fundamental math concepts and improve their problem-solving skills.
We taught essential study skills, enabling students to approach their academic work more strategically and efficiently.
We created a learning environment that encouraged curiosity, resilience, and a love for learning.
By empowering students, we aimed to build their confidence in their ability to succeed academically.
We provided a space for students to explore their faith and personal beliefs.
We included daily devotions and discussion sessions that centered on imago Dei (image of God), helping students understand that they are made in the image of an awesome God who cares about them and desires a relationship with them. These sessions aimed to instill values of dignity and respect, fostering a positive and respectful learning environment where students could reflect on how these principles applied to their lives and learning experiences.
Sustaining the Program through a Sense of Community
Our goal is always sustainability, so in addition to the one-week summer session, we established an online group to encourage collaboration and peer learning. This group provides students with the opportunity to learn from each other, fostering a sense of community and mutual support. Students will be able to share their knowledge, help each other with difficult concepts, and develop a deeper understanding through collective effort.
To assess the program's effectiveness, we collected feedback from the students through surveys. This feedback was vital in understanding the impact of our initiatives and pinpointing areas for improvement. Students shared their experiences and our instructors provided valuable insights into the program's strengths and weaknesses.
At the conclusion of the summer academy, the team conducted a comprehensive evaluation, identifying key strengths and areas needing improvement. Moving forward, we are committed to tracking each student’s academic progress and providing ongoing support based on the lessons learned during the camp.
The summer academy proved to be a turning point for these students who had previously struggled with math. They not only improved their math skills but also gained confidence and developed a more positive attitude toward learning.
The journey at Grange Hill High School has been both challenging and rewarding. Through targeted interventions, we have seen firsthand the potential for positive change in underserved communities. Our commitment to education and support remains unwavering as we strive to empower more students to achieve their academic and personal goals. We believe that by addressing the diverse needs of students and fostering a supportive learning environment, we can make a lasting impact on their lives.
Considering Expanded Needs to Support Grange Hill
The school also runs an agricultural program. We have had preliminary discussions on how we can support this initiative which targets students who have a genuine interest in agriculture and also some who are academically challenged and want to focus on skills-based learning. Despite facing some initial challenges, we remain open to revisiting this initiative in the future. We believe that practical, hands-on learning experiences can complement traditional education and offer students new perspectives and skills.
Future plans include continuing to offer our IT training courses to new cohorts each academic year and even begin engaging in the lower grades so we can invest in students over a longer period to have a deeper impact. We also hope to expand our summer academy to include more subjects, providing year-round mentoring and tutoring, and revisiting the agricultural program to offer more comprehensive support to academically challenged students. We also aim to strengthen our focus on spiritual reflections and values-based education to foster a culture of dignity and respect.
Assessing our Learnings for the Future
Our experience at Grange Hill High School demonstrates the importance of being open and ready to pivot and expand our program offerings based on new learning and the needs of the individuals and communities we serve. Providing access to IT training as a starter was important but equally important was extending our support to include math and study skills and also our commitment to fostering a positive attitude toward learning and building confidence. Additionally, incorporating spiritual reflections and promoting peer collaboration played a significant role in creating a supportive and respectful learning environment.
