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Warren Township board reviews pilot ninth‑grade ‘Blueprint’ advisory course
Summary
District staff described a pilot year‑long ninth‑grade advisory elective targeting small sections (15–18 students) with project work, study‑skill supports and an opt‑out enrollment process; staff said curriculum work will take place over the summer and a steering committee will monitor outcomes.
District staff on Tuesday presented a proposal to pilot a year‑long ninth‑grade advisory elective — called a “Blueprint” class — aimed at boosting freshman engagement and connecting students to school resources.
The presentation described the pilot as a full‑period elective with multiple sections targeted initially at 15–18 students each. Staff said the district will first offer the slot to students who chose a full‑period study hall and allow families to opt out; if seats remain, the district will invite students who did not register for electives. Curriculum development is scheduled to occur this summer and the steering committee that developed the proposal will continue to meet and refine the program.
Board members asked how the course would balance project work with study time and whether the class could provide supports for students struggling academically. Staff said the proposed pacing would use Tuesdays and Thursdays for project work, Mondays and Wednesdays for study skills and check‑ins, and Fridays for outside speakers or employer partners. The model also includes time to help students set goals and connect them to existing resources, with staff and counselors offering individualized follow‑ups when needed.
The proposal includes a small‑class rationale: leaders and the board emphasized that a lower student‑to‑teacher ratio would make it easier to build relationships and provide targeted help. Staff said they aim to run between two and four sections the first year depending on teacher availability and scheduling constraints.
As measures of success, staff suggested tracking student engagement and participation rates and monitoring whether students in the Blueprint class access school resources more consistently than comparable peers. The board asked for clear communication to families and a targeted letter to pre‑enrolled students; staff confirmed a draft letter is ready and that messaging will be refined with the communications team.
Board members generally praised the concept as a chance to pilot a different freshman experience rather than immediately redesigning existing courses. The board did not take formal action on the pilot Tuesday; staff said next steps will include tightening logistics, finalizing the opt‑out communication and returning with implementation details.
The steering committee will report back to the board with a recommended timeline before the next school year.
