99 Problems, but a Wall Ain’t One
South High Community School is a high school located in the Main South community of Worcester, Massachusetts. It is a public high school that allows students from across the city to attend. Designed as an open concept school without walls, South offers a unique classroom experience. The lack of walls and doors between classrooms gives staff and students a great opportunity for community building and collaboration, but things get challenging when my students can hear the math class next door playing Around the World as we read a novel. The “classroom” spaces are solely separated by dividers and book cases which still allow you to look into the other rooms. Students and teachers at South High seem very accustomed to distractions and interruptions caused by the lack of walls, and I have gained the voice projection skills of a Broadway musical actor, but I think students would greatly benefit from the privacy that a new school building with walls will soon provide.
As of 2020, South High serves over 1,400 students in grades 9-12 making it one of the largest schools in the city of Worcester. The population of students at South High reflect the cultural and socioeconomic diversity of the city as many are first-generation immigrants or refugees from various countries around the world. The students at South High are 46.7% Latinx, 21% White, 18.1% African American, 11% Asian and 3% identify as multi-racial or non-Hispanic. There are also 41 languages spoken by students at South High including Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic, Twi, and Mandarin among the most predominant. With an English Language Learner population of 422 students, only 292 currently receive ESL services while the rest have opted out via parent waivers. Despite the diverse population of students at South, the population of administrators, teachers and staff remains predominantly white. This is an issue that students in the Worcester Public Schools have sought to address by conducting research and informing members of their community and school committee.
Academic excellence is a priority for all schools in the Worcester Public Schools district. South High strives to achieve academic excellence by providing high achievement, rigorous/relevant activities, social emotional learning, access to advanced opportunities, interventions and supports, as well as family and community involvement for all students. Though South strives to provide all of these supports for their students, a lack of resources often prevents the implementation of these supports and beneficial opportunities.
Tracking
South High “tracks” students by placing them in specific classes according to their perceived academic and social skill level. The most popular “track” is the city-wide Goddard Scholars Program, an accelerated academic program for “highly motivated and high-achieving students”. Students in the Goddard Program are able to choose from over 20 AP courses, and have an overall positive reputation in the school. On the other hand, students who are not on such an academic track enter regular Honors and College level courses. Unfortunately, students who are not on a track like the Goddard Scholars Program are often deemed as unmotivated, unskilled, and incapable of behaving “appropriately” in the classroom.
The perceived effectiveness of South High Community School heavily relies on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System testing scores. At South, MCAS test scores are deemed to reflect the success and effectiveness of both the school’s teachers and students. The MCAS is a statewide standardized test focused on the Massachusetts common core standards. Some see the test as a gate-keeping mechanism that systematically leaves students behind as passing the test is a graduation requirement. The staff at South High offer many practice tests, include tons of MCAS preparation in their curriculum and work tirelessly to ensure that all students have a chance to pass the test. Though preparing for the test is very important for students, teachers, and the school’s reputation, the preparation period of the school year is an exhausting time for all.
Opportunities & Community Involvement
The focus on advanced academic opportunities and community involvement is essential to South High and its students. All students have access to vocational programs that offer classes in various fields of work. Automotive, Culinary Arts, and Early Childhood are among my student’s favorite vocational classes, and they seem to truly benefit from such opportunities. Other students really enjoy working within Andy’s Attic, a clothing and food pantry that is committed to meeting the needs of South’s student population. Students also benefit from South’s award winning chorus and band programs as well as the school’s partnership with the Hanover Theater for the Arts. Sports are also something students take great advantage of. At South, the popularity of extracurricular sports has increased since the school gained a principal with much sports coaching experience.
