Evaluation of Friday Schools Impact on School Improvement
Joshua M. Gibson, Durham Principal Leadership Academy
What is Friday School?
● Students have an optional day of classes Friday if they
are meeting requirements set forth by their teachers.
● Students are expected to remain on-pace with material
and instruction as part of these expectations.
● If students are required to attend Friday, they receive
small group or one-on-one coaching with their teacher.
Why Friday School?
● Customer Focus - As an alternative school, we wanted
to create an alternative schedule that best meets the
needs of our students.
● Reduced Class Sizes - Small group instruction and
coaching is possible because of a modified schedule.
● Targeted Intervention - One-on-one/small group
coaching on Friday school days.
● Incentivize regular attendance and performance.
Reflections
• Major changes made within a school come with an implementation
dip and resistance.
• Perception is everything. Work completion does not always equate
to work quality.
• Friday School is not a magic bullet. However, it has helped to shift
our school in positive way.
• I learned that a change of this magnitude should not be implemented
in the middle of the school year.
• We need to continue with the momentum we have gained this year
and continue it into the start of next year.
• Clear expectations, buy-in, and follow-through are a must for
sustained change.
Recommendations
• Begin the school year with Friday School.
• Introduce the Friday School plan to new stakeholders within the
building.
• Include a description and expectations of Friday School at our open
house and new student orientation.
• Continue to collect data around attendance, discipline, and student
engagement and motivation.
• Analyze data to ensure improvement.
• Follow-through with the plan and hold all stakeholders accountable.