A Case of a Partnership Academy Small Learning Community Model on Student Outcomes

Many students are experiencing disconnect from their large, seemingly impersonal high schools. This case study research explored a post-high school class cohort's perceptions of an academy environment. The study examined the nature of its connection to academic, behavioral and post-secondary effects by utilizing a treatment group of academy students and a comparison group of non-academy students. The study found that students within academies experienced a greater sense of high school community than non-academy students. Differences were also found in post-secondary endeavors including greater participation by academy students in college, the workforce and career/ technical areas.