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Swansea Freshman Academy principal reports gains in on-track metrics, details interventions and student engagement
Summary
Principal Joy O'Neal told the board the Freshman Academy is pursuing a 24% honor-roll target and 92% promotion-to-10th-grade goal while reporting current quarter figures, interventions (I-Ready, after-school tutoring, Saturday recovery) and engagement programs including PSAs, JROTC and field study partnerships.
Principal Joy O'Neal presented Swansea Freshman Academy’s academic progress and student engagement initiatives to the board on March 9.
O'Neal said the academy’s 2025–26 strategic targets included 24% of students on the honor roll and a 92% promotion rate to 10th grade. She reported first-quarter honor-roll at 21.3% and second-quarter at 17.2%; first-quarter passing rates for all classes were 91% and second-quarter passing was 80%. O'Neal said the academy is currently about 81% on track for graduation, with approximately 87% passing math and "80 or 90%" passing English as of the March report.
To address learning gaps, the academy uses I-Ready reading and math diagnostics, provides ACT/SAT prep for students who test out of I-Ready, runs a SEAL class focused on math strategies, and offers content recovery at quarter end. O'Neal described after-school tutoring (Tuesdays with two to three certified teachers), lunchtime attendance recovery, and a new Saturday tutoring session beginning March 21.
O'Neal highlighted student engagement activities: spirit weeks, a March Madness classroom competition that awards prizes each week, a veterans-day play, PSAs on teen suicide awareness produced in English class, and partnerships with Midlands Technical College for field studies. She noted JROTC parades, alumni visits, and guest speakers including Quincy Sutton, who provided planners for teachers and spoke to the students.
O'Neal also described staff-engagement events (chili cook-off, holiday recognition) and student leadership activities run by student council and Beta Club, and said the school runs an Edge store that distributes hygiene products to students.
When asked if the school needed specific board support, O'Neal said none was needed immediately but she appreciated the board’s offer to assist.
The presentation concluded with a brief Q&A and board praise for students and staff.
