By BROOKE GOLDMAN

RESERVE – A dozen East St. John High School students recently received special treatment in recognition of their efforts in and outside of the classroom.

The 12 students were named the first-ever “Students of the Semester” for the new Freshman Success Academy at the school.

According to Heidi Trosclair, the organizational facilitator for the Freshman Success Academy, the program stems from Johns Hopkins University and gives freshmen a double dose of English and math.

“They learn study skills and life skills to help them succeed in the high school setting,” said Trosclair. “Once they leave ninth grade, they choose a career path such as science, arts and humanities or business and hospitality.”

One student from each freshman team was chosen for this honor by teachers, said Trosclair. They were chosen based on grades, attendance, personality, attitude, conduct and classroom participation.

They received an ESJHS water bottle filled with spirit items such as pens and pencils, buttons and magnets.

They also received a po-boy lunch sponsored by the members of the senior class, a certificate, a free-dress day out of uniform and their picture will be hung in the new freshman building.

The school opened its new freshman building this year to work side by side with the program.

The building houses only freshman, separating them from upper level students, according to Trosclair.

Trosclair said all freshman have a “freshman seminar” class. Its a full-year intensive course incorporated with the new building and the Freshman Success Academy to help students learn life skills.

“The teachers received training for the program,” said Trosclair. “It makes high school less of a shock for these students.”

Trosclair said a majority of the program is also geared towards raising the students Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) test scores in 10th- and 11th-graders.

“The students become engaged and are involved in the lectures,” said Trosclair.

“We are just so proud of these students,” said Principal Debbie Shum.