BARR

Building Assets, Reducing Risks

BARR (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) is a strength-based whole school model that improves education systems predicated on two pillars - relationships and data. BARR provides WBLAHS with a comprehensive approach to meeting the academic, behavioral, social, and emotional needs of all students. It is designed to create strong schools and communities by empowering students, teachers, and families with data, so that schools can realign existing resources to nurture a unified and personalized culture of support and success for every student, both inside and outside of the classroom. At WBLAHS, we utilize BARR to better connect with students and address the issues that cause students to drop out, fail courses, and/or engage in harmful behavior. 

Currently utilized in 9th grade, WBLAHS students are placed into “block” teams that share common teachers in their Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies classes. These block teachers meet regularly to monitor students, develop engagement strategies, and collaborate on appropriate interventions. In addition to staff utilizing real time data, 9th grade students engage in frequent social emotional learning activities called “I-Time.” These lessons are designed to build student strengths, set goals, foster a positive community, and strengthen resiliency. Ultimately, BARR is helping to create structure and a culture in which we identify and support students before they are in crisis and to help develop skills necessary to succeed in life.