In the spring of 1999, Smith School joined High Schools That Work, a national network of vocational and technical high schools. High Schools That Work is the nation’s first large-scale effort to engage state, district and school leaders and teachers in partnerships with students, parents and the community to improve the way all high school students are prepared for work and further education. As our nation seeks to maintain its competitiveness in the world economy, High Schools That Work offers school systems a unique opportunity to prepare more students to communicate, solve problems, perform tasks and produce products – on the job and in a lifetime of learning.

High Schools That Work Goals

• To increase the mathematics, science, and communication achievement and the application of learning for career-bound students to the national average of all students.
• To integrate the essential content of traditional college preparatory studies – math, science, and language arts – with vocational and technical studies, by creating conditions that support school leaders and teachers in carrying out certain key practices.

Additional Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Goals

High Expectations

To raise both technical and academic achievement of all students through core standards and project-based curricula.

Working Together

To adopt a culture of unified purpose through active participation in school related activities such as program advisory committees, school council, sports, after school clubs, team meetings, and special events.

Guidance and Support

To bring all students, parents, and educators together to work toward a common purpose of assisting each student in setting and attaining academic and career goals.

Learning Environment

To instill a conscious sense of ownership and pride in the school environment through regular systematic upgrading and maintenance of the grounds, physical plant, equipment, and instructional resources.

Public Relations

To increase public awareness of the value of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School to the communities it serves, through a stepped-up use of the traditional methods of communication and creative visual displays of students’ successes.

Technology

To provide a comprehensive professional development program to assist the staff in becoming proficient in the use of advanced technological tools to improve instruction, to reflect industry standards, and to increase student achievement.

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