House Springs, Missouri
Grades 7–8

Truancy Court

Not often does the word “court” conjure up such positive feelings and results as it does at Northwest Valley 7th & 8th Grade Center. In an effort to improve school attendance, academic success, and self-confidence, Truancy Court arranges for staff-selected students to meet with a local family court judge, who serves as the children’s mentor for the next eight weeks. Letters explaining the program are sent to the selected students’ parents, encouraging them to become involved. The meetings, held once a week in the school library, begin with a group discussion of a specific character trait, followed by reflection and writing. Dressed in his official robe, the judge, an alumnus of the school system, also meets one-on-one with the students to talk about their goals for the coming week. Counselors and staff follow up with the students, and have seen improvement in their academic achievement, attendance, and attitude. Participants’ school attendance has risen by as much as 25%, and one child’s grade-point average increased from 2.2 to 3.2. The hope for the program is to keep the student participants from later being sent to the judge’s court on official business.

CONTACT

Aaron Kohler
Assistant Principal
(636) 671-3470, ext. 730
akohler@nwr1.k12.mo.us
www.nwr1.k12.mo.us/nwv