ARLINGTON — How many textbooks can a Popsicle stick bridge support? Students in an advanced physics class at Bowie High School pile them on.
It's all about strategic support... for the experiment, and for students.
"The students take a test," explained principal Michelle Wilmoth-Senato. "If they've not been successful, OK, here's a support class."
She launched a rapid response program for students who do poorly on TAKS tests. "Our numbers went up double digits in math and science in certain accountability groups," she Wilmoth-Senato said.
This time last year, a state projection showed Bowie was headed for an "unacceptable" rating. Instead, it will be "recognized."
Martin High is the only other recognized high school in the district.
"My school is recognized now," Bowie senior Kyrian Batiste said, flashing a broad grin. "Means everything, because we're coming from nothing to now being something."
In fact, Arlington's entire district is expected to be rated "recognized" for the first time ever, thanks to gains at schools like Bowie and Hutcheson Junior High, which had been rated "unacceptable" two years in a row.
"A 31 percent rise in science scores all the way around was a big boost for the school," said new principal David Tapia. The burly former Arlington Lamar linebacker got tapped to turn it around. "When the superintendent said 'fix this,' I was all over it."
Tapia said he worked 70- to 80-hour weeks, replaced 25 teachers, walked neighborhoods to show parents he cares about their kids, and hired an extra assistant principal to assess each student's needs.
"She takes each student that comes in, looks at every one of their scores, and we create an educational plan for them," Tapia said. "That's what it's about — sparking their interest and keeping them wanting to move forward."
Hutcheson is moving up from "unacceptable" to "acceptable" status.
Meanwhile, students in the summer physics class at Bowie High are plenty sparked. They whooped as the stick bridge finally collapsed under the weight of 14 heavy textbooks.
E-mail jdouglas@wfaa.com
