The Work Habits Program
Student Effort: The Key To Achievement
"...the capacity to work in childhood is a more
significant determinant of success in all aspects
of living than I.Q., social class or economic level."
Harvard Medical School

Our Belief The faculty strongly believes that the school should focus on helping adolescents to learn to use their minds well. We see the importance of motivating students to challenge their learning capabilities and to refinetheir critical thinking skills. We hold in common the belief that a student's ability to engage in successful learning
depends upon learned work habits and attitudes. These habits and attitudes are often referred to as "EFFORT."

Our Success Since 1989, we have successfully implemented a school-wide Work Habits Program. We believe it is essential that parents understand the significance of student effort, teacher expectations and the Effort Honor Roll. Each year, nearly 90 % of our students report that they understand the Work Habits Program and know how to make the Effort Honor Roll. Significantly, nearly 70%
of our students report that their work habits and effort improved with 60% saying that their effort resulted in better grades. In addition, 80% of our students report that, while at Rancho, they are learning to work more effectively as an individual and as a member of a group.

FOUR CRITICAL WORK HABITS

Bringing Materials To Class	3-ring binder, pens, pencils, Binder-Reminder, covered texts, P.E. uniform, etc.
Using Time Effectively	being on time, understanding and beginning individual and group assignments
Participating Actively	persisting, listening, cooperative thinking and problem-solving
Preparing For Class	completing homework, reading, studying, readiness to learn

Our Commitment During the school year, we will monitor how well students are doing with their work habits. Every four weeks, teachers will make recommendations for those students who demonstrate outstanding work habits and effort. Students recommended in at least six of their seven classes (including Advisement) are placed on the Effort Honor Roll. The ASB has allocateda portion of their funds to provide recognition and awards to students on the Effort Honor Roll. For those students who are able to sustain this effort, special recognition occurs at the middle and end of the year. Parents will be informed if their student has difficulty in demonstrating good work habits. Each Effort Honor Roll begins anew, giving each student the opportunity to "get it together".

How Parents Can Help We believe that one of the most difficult tasks students face in the middle school is the ability to be organized. Therefore we insist that students organize their work in a three-ring binder. Each student has been encouraged to purchase and use a Binder Reminder. This is a valuable organizational tool for students that should not be overlooked by parents. Teachers will encourage students to write down daily and long range assignments in their Binder Reminder in order to organize their work load. Parents can keep track of the work their students are doing by regularly reading through the Binder Reminder and discussing assignments with students. We highly encourage this! In fact, without exception, when students do not make the Effort Honor Roll they are not making use of the Binder Reminder to keep track of assignments and important due dates.

We appreciate active parental support in helping students to demonstrate good work habits and to use their minds well. When students learn that their hard work pays off, the results, we are sure, will include greater individual academic progress and success.