KidSuccess: Promoting Success at School
Ashley Elementary School Principal Zach Rahn is on a mission: he is transforming what was once a poorly performing school into an exciting, creative learning environment where kids thrive. Zach and his staff are focused on creating a school community that nurtures the whole child, ensuring that each student receives the tools he or she needs to excel, including academics, socialization, play, art, physical activity, and emotional support.
An important component of Zach’s strategy is his partnership with Jewish Family Service and its KidSuccess program, which provides a mental health therapist in the school to counsel children and help them overcome difficult challenges—whatever they may be—so that they can learn and succeed.
Built in 1948, Ashley is one of the oldest schools in the Denver Public School system. It serves the Montclair, Stapleton, and Park Hill neighborhoods and takes students from pre-kindergarten through the fifth grade. Approximately one third of the students are African American, a third Latino, and a third Caucasian. Ashley is a low-income school; 85 to 90 percent of its students receive free or reduced-fee lunches.
For years, Ashley suffered from poor academic performance and was slated for closure in 2013, but because of public outcry, it remained open. The school district replaced the entire administration and that’s when Zach was named principal.
Zach and his team have already had a positive influence on the school. Academic performance has markedly improved and more and more families are choosing Ashley for their children. Enrollment has gone from just over 300 students in 2014 to more than 450 this year. There are now more students attending Ashley Elementary than ever in the school’s history.
Now in his fourth year at Ashley, Zach has been working on a new plan to define the school’s curriculum, culture, and values. He and his staff are implementing the plan in this school year, and they are excited to be creating a positive and stimulating learning environment that is focused on the whole child. "We want to let kids be kids in a joyful environment," he says. "That’s what we’re creating at Ashley."
Zach acknowledges that one of the keys to Ashley’s recent success has been the provision of quality mental health services. The school has a staff psychologist, who is further supported by the JFS KidSuccess therapist, Amanda Factor. Together they have the capacity to meet the needs of the students. "There is a dire need for mental health services at Ashley," confides Zach. "Some of our kids are experiencing socialization challenges. Some have difficulty controlling their anger. Others are dealing with difficult issues at home like substance abuse and trauma. Kids who are dealing with any of these issues are going to have a difficult time succeeding at school. We’re trying to help kids overcome these challenges."
Amanda is starting her third year at Ashley and has become an important member of the school staff and a valuable support to teachers, children, and their families. She works at Ashley for the equivalent of two full days each week and has become part of the school community. She knows the kids and the issues they are facing. Most important, she has been able to develop trusting relationships with them, which is crucial to her role. Because these services are offered free at school, kids don’t have to worry about transportation or the cost to see a therapist. Her presence in the school makes mental health care accessible to children who otherwise would go without.
Support from Amanda can dramatically improve the learning environment. For example, if a teacher has a disruptive child in his class who is acting out, he can inform the school’s administration, who would then engage the school psychologist and Amanda. The team might work with the child’s family to develop a plan of action. Maybe the child needs more breaks and time out of the classroom or more structure. According to Zach, the team approach is highly effective. “By working together and engaging everyone in the child’s life, we are able to affect real change,” he says.
Amanda loves her role at Ashley. She enjoys working with children and impacting their lives in a positive way. “Young children are wonderful to work with,” she says. “They’re so eager to learn and want to do well. Many of these kids need the extra support. Because of the holistic school environment and the support of the principal, I’m able to achieve remarkable success, which is very rewarding.”
"The JFS KidSuccess program is an unbelievable asset to our school community," says Zach. "For a very small investment on our part, we’re able to provide top-quality service from a trained and qualified therapist. We’re able to help kids who wouldn’t otherwise be able to access mental health services at all. For me, that’s huge and it’s making such a big difference in these children’s lives and in our school."
