VILLA PARK : School Adopts Plan to Motivate Students

A renaissance is underway at Villa Park High School.

Even at Villa Park, a campus where the population is largely affluent, white, and where 91% of last year’s graduates went on to college, teachers look for a way to motivate students. Later this month, the school will launch an incentive program that organizers hope will encourage better attendance, improve grades and boost school spirit.

For the past several months, a committee of students, teachers, administrators and parents has met to work on the plan, which is part of a national project called the Renaissance Program. The program involves about 1,800 schools nationwide, including Fullerton High, Century High in Santa Ana and Foothill High in Tustin.

With cooperation from local businesses, the project rewards all students who improve their grades or achieve perfect attendance by making them eligible for discounts at restaurants and clothing stores, dentist and doctors offices, school dances and other privileges.

Unlike exclusive academic achievement programs, any student can be eligible for privileges and discounts if he improves his grades by only half a point. Students who achieve a 3.0 grade-point average will earn additional privileges, while those with a 3.5 or higher average will be eligible for the highest awards. The Renaissance students will carry various colored cards identifying their level of privilege.

School officials and students alike hope the recognition program will motivate even tough-to-reach youngsters whose grades may be below average and who rarely participate in school programs.

“Up until now, (those students) have been getting nothing,” said Sean O’Neill, an 18-year-old senior and Renaissance committee member. “Now they’ll get credit for trying. . . . Hopefully, those people who are on the verge of dropping out will try to pull those Fs up to Ds.”

But why does a school like Villa Park, the envy of some neighboring high schools for its affluence and success, need a program like this?

“Why not be better?” answered Principal Walt Otto. “If there’s 9% that don’t go to college, what about that 9%? They are as important as the 91%. You have to find something that motivates them.”

The first assembly to honor students who have achieved Renaissance cards will be held Feb. 28.

Student Jeannette Fennell, 15, said she had some doubts when she first heard about the program. “I thought people would think at first it was like a bribe to get kids to get good grades,” said Fennell, also a committee member. “But I think once it catches on, they’re going to think this is for real. It’s not going to be a total nerdy thing.”