Changes at Harding High in its first year of a restart partnership with Global Partnership Schools have resulted in major increase in student attendance.

The school’s attendance rate increased from 67% in October 2010 to a remarkable 92% in October 2011, an increase of 25 points. At 92%, the school had the highest attendance rate in the Bridgeport Public Schools for October.

“Students have a feeling of belonging, a sense that their teachers know and care about them,” said Harding Principal Kevin Walston. “That makes coming to school a lot easier, and a lot more enjoyable.”

Since partnering with Global Partnership Schools in the fall of 2010, Harding has focused on removing barriers to learning and creating a structured environment in which students feel supported.

The school created four academies, each with a specific theme, to provide smaller, more intimate learning environments in which students are known by their teachers. Three of the academies are career-themed, tailored to student interests, and one is specifically for ninth graders. Each academy has a “climate specialist” devoted specifically to building relationships with students.

All Harding students now have daily, rather than weekly, advisory periods. School uniforms are mandatory. And students themselves have initiated new opportunities such as student government and social events to promote school pride.

“In the first year of the restart it was important to address issues that were preventing students from learning,” said Dr. Eleanor Osborne, Global’s Education Change Leader, who works directly with Principal Walston in leading the restart process. “Now that we’ve laid the foundation of a positive school climate, we’re focusing on our longer-term vision for improving our students’ academic performance.”