2026–27 Academic Priorities

The 2026–2027 school year will focus on creating greater consistency in teaching and learning while ensuring that every Shaw scholar has a clear pathway toward graduation, college, career, and future success.

Priority 1: Clarity for Learning

• Teachers will establish clear learning expectations so that scholars understand:
• What they are learning
• Why they are learning it
• What successful learning looks like
• Instruction will consistently incorporate:
• Learning Intentions • Success Criteria • Exemplars

Priority 2: High-Quality Instruction

Shaw High School is developing a shared instructional language across all classrooms called the Cardinal Core Practices.

Our instructional priorities include five elements:

• Explicit Teaching
• Checking for Understanding
• Scaffolding
• Gradual Release of Responsibility
• Writing to Explain / Claim-Evidence-ReasoningOur gradual-release model emphasizes: I Do → We Do → You Do

The goal is to move scholars from teacher-supported learning toward increasingly independent application and ownership.

Priority 3: Every Scholar On Track

Shaw will use student data and targeted support systems to ensure that scholars remain on track toward graduation.

Key areas include:

• Daily attendance
• Course completion
• Credit attainment
• Graduation progress
• Academic intervention
• iMTSS support
• Credit recovery
• College and career planning

Priority 4: Student Belonging and Engagement

Academic success is strengthened when scholars feel connected to their school community.

Shaw will build belonging through:

• The Shaw Core Values or 5 E’s
• Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
• The Cardinal Way
• Student leadership
• Student recognition
• Homeroom and advisory experiences
• Clubs, athletics, and extracurricular participation
• Restorative and relationship-centered practices

Priority 5: College, Career, and Future Readiness

Shaw scholars will have opportunities to explore multiple pathways toward life after graduation.

Our focus includes:

• Career Technical Education
• College-credit opportunities
• Career exploration
• Work-based learning
• Leadership development
• Postsecondary planning
• Entrepreneurship and innovation
• Community partnerships