Breaking The Cycle

When an inner-city school succeeds, not just by producing spectacular high school graduation rates but to also have students still enrolled in college or graduate at rates above 80%, it warrants looking into. That’s what led Nancy Diggs to investigate the Dayton Early College Academy (DECA) and question why it is successful when so many urban schools are not. What did she discover? Stressing interactive, student-centered learning, along with innovative non-traditional methods, DECA raises the bar of expectations, all within a loving, family-like environment. The DECA family is exemplified by its “advisory” system, in which each teacher also serves as an advisor to some 12-16 students, who will stay together throughout their school careers. Advisors are responsible, too, for maintaining close relations with parents, who are also part of the DECA family. With its holistic approach, the school not only promotes academic success, but furthers character development and social skills, preparing its students for college and for life beyond. Breaking the Cycle conveys the hopeful message that other schools can replicate much of what DECA does, and thus save an urban generation otherwise mired in despair.