Rashid's dream

On a bulletin board at Domus Academy: Rashid is going to be a chef because “I want to see how happy people are after they taste my food.” We’re expanding our extended day activities to expose kids to new experiences; we’re open to hearing about anything they couldn’t do at home or in their neighborhoods. 

Let us know if you have a talent or skill you want to share: robotics, tango dancing, rugby, baking, gymnastics…what else could we teach our kids that might spark a lifelong hobby or a profession?

Domus Academy welcomes new school director Billy Johnson

It feels as though a long-lost relative has finally come home: Billy talks like everyone else at Domus does about having high student expectations, holding everyone accountable for ambitious results, and looking forward instead of back. 

But Billy's also back home...literally. He's a native New Haven son who's back to make an impact after teaching and leading schools for the Middletown Public Schools and Amistad Academy. "I have a huge concern about the gun violence" here in New Haven. His mission here goes beyond the professional realm--helping Domus Academy youth reach their potential is personal.

Billy has been working with our school staff to put a plan in place right now to "make sure our activities align with the mission." His turnaround of Stamford's Stark Elementary School, long the city's lowest-performing school, is well-known, and here, like there, he knows "we must be very intentional about what we do." He's met with every single staff person to hear about where they think their strengths lie and what they believe the school needs. "Everybody [at Domus Academy] believes that kids can do wonderful things." (High expectations? Check.)

Our conversation returned again and again to students, as it does when you talk with any Domus employee. "There are so many great kids with so many great talents, and they haven't been given the space to express themselves in a way" that works for them. He's already created partnerships with city organizations to help us expand the ways we engage students during the day and during our extended-day program.

Another word that popped up again and again? Results. And another: Excuses. 

He wants one of those. Guess which one.

Maurice's story

 photo: www.richardfreeda.com

This is Maurice. He just graduated Domus Academy as an 8th grader. Maurice had struggled in his other New Haven schools, and his behavior when he arrived at Domus Academy was...well, "challenging" was the word we used. He wasn't really happy to be in any school, much less ours, and it seems he wasn't shy about letting everyone know. It probably didn't help he was three grades behind in reading and five grades behind in math. It's tough to focus, behave, and have hope when you're so far behind. Thankfully, we're like bulldogs: persistent and stubborn.

Maurice is incredibly smart--he loves computers and has a real talent with them--and we knew that once he made the decision to put some effort into his work, he had great potential to do well academically. Maurice didn't trust us right away, so it took awhile for him to turn his grades and behavior around. This spring, Maurice got himself in a tough spot, and he made the right decision. It wasn't an easy call to make, but he did it, and from that point on, we knew he was listening to us. He also came to school on a daily basis. Now, that may not seem like a big deal to you, but it was a complete 180-degree shift for Maurice.

Fast forward to the end of the year: Maurice, our 8th grader three grades behind in reading and five behind in math, met goal on his CMTs, outperforming half his peers across the state and making tremendous progress during the year. I asked Maurice's mom what changed for her son, and she said, "He had a lot of help from Domus Academy. [School director] Mr. McGuire was there for him no matter what. He got into some trouble, but they didn't give up on him."

We know this is just the beginning for this bright young man and look forward to seeing him continue to improve and mature as he attends Hillhouse this fall.

A student's perspective

It's clear Domus Academy parents value the support our family advocates provide; this blog's previous post highlights just a few of the comments we've heard. But what about students? How do they feel about family advocates?

"My family advocate is someone I can always go to for a listening ear and advice."

"My family advocate is someone who goes to my house and meets with my aunt about what goes on at school and in my neighborhood."

"I love my family advocate--she helps me be successful and helps me work through my anger."

Family advocates continue their work during the summer, making home visits and ensuring youth are connected with critical community resources to hopefully stem the tide of summer slide, the academic loss occurring during the summer which hits youth living in poverty the hardest. Next week, we'll provide an inside look at what summer brings to Domus Academy.