Troubled Lynn school becomes a model

A new guide for educators is full of lessons about how the Robert L. Ford School in Lynn turned itself around from a struggling neighborhood school 15 years ago to a shining community school, now thinking about hitting the books year-round.

''Becoming a Community School," published by the nonprofit Project for School Innovation in Boston, uses Ford as a model for how to build a community school, which relies on strong family ties and community partners. Once hurt by low test scores and attendance, Ford now anchors the Highlands, one of Lynn's poorest neighborhoods.

The how-to guide, to be presented tonight to the Lynn School Committee, cites Ford's night school for parents, after-school programs for children at Salem State College, and community outreach with Lynn police and neighboring private schools including Cohen Hillel Academy in Marblehead.

''We looked closely at what they do at Ford," said Michael Rothman, executive director at the Project for School Innovation, based at a charter school in Dorchester. ''Schools with a high number of immigrants, serving a largely impoverished population, really need to get beyond the classroom to families. . . . The Ford has figured out how to do that."

The high marks come as Ford hopes to write a new chapter. The 868-student public school, which runs from prekindergarten to grade 8, is considering becoming a year-round school.

''This is the next logical step for our school," said Claire Crane, the 15-year principal, who led the effort to remake Ford into a community school. ''Our families have shown they want, and need, a place to learn."

A new committee appointed by the School Committee will start studying the idea in January, with a goal of reaching a decision by early next year. . Among the issues to consider are the length of the school year, the impact on teacher and other union contracts, and costs.

Although many charter schools, including the new KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School, stay open year-round, traditional public schools usually run from September to June.

The Saltonstall School in Salem is the lone exception on the North Shore. The elementary school moved to a year-round model several years ago. The school year runs from September to July, with the month of August off. The school year is broken into six- or seven-week segments, followed by one or two weeks of vacation.

Crane envisions the Ford School following a similar schedule. But she would keep the school hours from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for grades 6 to 8, and 7:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. for the younger grades., so Ford students wouldn't miss playing after-school sports with other Lynn schools. ''There are a lot of factors we have to consider as we look into this," Crane said.

The Ford School is among the poorest of Lynn's 18 public elementary schools. Of the 868 students, 90.2 percent qualify for free or reduced lunch, meaning their family income is at or below the federal poverty line. About 76 students this year are homeless, living with either relatives or in shelters. The school is also among the most racially diverse, with Hispanics, Asians, and African-Americans making up most of the student body, according to the most recent enrollment figures.

Although Ford has made steady progress on the state's MCAS exam, more improvement is needed. The school missed ''adequate yearly progress" last year because of low scores in math and English by special education and non-English speakers. A longer school year would give kids more time to think about, and less time to forget, what they learn over the school year, she said.

''It would cut down on the amount of time our teachers spend reviewing [material] in September," Crane said. ''That's probably the most obvious benefit ."

Briana Furey, an eighth-grade science teacher, agreed a longer school year could add valuable time. ''We spend most of September going over what they learned the year before," Furey said, as her students huddled in groups, wrestling with the concept of kinetic energy. ''With less time off [in summer], we'd get right back into things."

Although school now closes in June, the Ford is a busy place in summer. Both the main building on Hollingsworth Street, and an annex housing grades 6 through 8 across the city on Bennett Street, are open for MCAS help. A basketball camp run with Lynn Parks and Recreation, and a day camp run with Lynn Economic Opportunity, are offered at the school.

But spots in those programs are limited. Only students who scored below average on the MCAS, for example, go to summer school.

''Everybody is always talking about how our schools can improve," said Lisa Connolly, a member of the Ford School Council whose three children have attended Ford. ''But our kids aren't going to fancy camps or private enrichment programs. The more we can do for them, the better off they'll be."

Some Ford teachers aren't entirely sold on the idea.

''I'd like to visit Saltonstall to see how it works there," said Becky Simbliaris, who teaches first and second grade at Ford. ''I'd just like to see how they deal with things, like the heat in the summer."

Frank Viera, a history teacher and the school's athletic director, said the switch could disrupt his summer as a coach in Salem Little League.

''I like my summers off, especially as a coach," said Viera, 36, a teacher at Ford for two years. ''But if they change, I'll stay here. You just make the best of it."

Ford students, who are quick to praise their teachers and principal, aren't sure what to make of going to school in summer. ''I suppose I could get more help," said Stephen Caisse, who attends summer basketball camp at Ford. ''So I guess I would learn more stuff."

''I wouldn't want it," said Juan Cruz, 14, an eighth-grader headed to high school next year. ''School is from September to June. That's good enough."

Kathy McCabe can be reached by e-mail at kmccabe@globe.com.