West Catholic helps students succeed, stay in school
By NADIA MARIA SMITH
CS&T Staff Writer
West Philadelphia Catholic High School is ensuring that its incoming freshmen students have the tools to succeed in high school through the West Prep Program.
The program began three years ago under the principal, Sister Mary E. Bur, I.H.M., who was concerned that several freshmen students were dropping out of school by the year’s end because they were not succeeding academically.
“Part of the reason they were not being academically successful is that they did not have the right foundation for high school,” she said. “We get a lot of youngsters from public schools that are passing, but many are reading below eighth-grade reading level, and others do not have a competent math background, and that creates all kinds of problems for them.
“We do have an obligation, if we say we are going to take a child, to do everything we can to help that child be successful,” Sister Mary said.
With the program in place and focused on helping students excel in reading, writing and mathematics, all incoming freshmen are tested and then assigned to one of the two West Prep classes. One focuses on reading, writing and mathematics for students who test significantly below standard level.
The other is a writing class for students who are just below or at the eighth-grade reading level but still can benefit from enhancing their skills — something all students can do, according to Christian Brother Patrick Cassidy, the assistant principal for academic affairs.
“Every freshman takes a prep course,” Brother Patrick said. “Most take the writing class, but there are about 50 students who take the West Prep class. These two courses are in addition to the standard classes they would take in any archdiocesan high school. It gives the students the skills to succeed in their freshmen year and beyond.”
During the school year, Christian Brother Richard Buccina works diligently with the students, giving them the individual attention they need to understand and learn the material they struggle with most.
“He is a very gifted, gentle man and he works hard with the students,” Sister Mary said.
At the end of the year, the students are given a second standardized test like the test they took at the beginning of the year, to track their improvement.
“We have seen a significant improvement,” Brother Patrick said. “I’d say about 96 percent of the students in the West Prep class improved in their reading and math skills.”
Sister Mary added, “This year we were very successful. We had very few freshmen who failed out.”
And because all students are required to take one of the two classes in the West Prep Program — a change from when the program was initiated — the program no longer has a stigma. In fact, “students appreciate the help,” Sister Mary said.
As the program continues to give specialized attention to students who need it most, the administration of West Catholic is convinced the program will do exactly what it was created to do: help students stay and excel in school.
CS&T staff writer Nadia Maria Smith can be reached at npozo@adphila.org or (215) 965-4614