Hinsdale Central High School is committed to helping every student succeed. Since 2001, a research study program, PROJECT ACHIEVE, has identified students struggling with academic success in an effort to understand their difficulties and how the school could better serve them. The program was originally funded through a grant from The Hinsdale Foundation whose commitment to the program has allowed PROJECT ACHIEVE to grow each year. And, as the program has grown, so has its success. In the 2003-2004 school year, sixty-one percent of students enrolled in PROJECT ACHIEVE improved their cumulative GPA. Last year, seventy percent of participating students showed improved cumulative GPAs, with many students making Honor Roll and Dean’s List in one or more marking periods. Now in its fifth year, PROJECT ACHIEVE is expanding to provide more services and support to students and parents who would like to experience greater academic success. 

            Students are identified using their previous year’s cumulative grade point average and class rank.  In order to be included, both a parent and the student must attend an initial interview over the summer. By participating in PROJECT ACHIEVE, a profile of the student is created and distributed to teachers explaining the strengths, weaknesses, and insightful comments that will help encourage PROJECT ACHIEVE students. When available, PROJECT ACHIEVE students are assigned to the Academic Center for their study hall period where they are given help and encouragement by trained staff, and they have access to the Academic Center. Students meet periodically with the PROJECT ACHIEVE Facilitator, to check on their progress in classes, support them with study skills instruction, track their performance, and provide individualized support to each student. The study has shown that the extra effort and attention benefits the student, parents, and educators. 

If you are interested in more information about Project Achieve, please contact Kristin Smetana, Project Achieve Facilitator, at 630-570-8439, or ksmetana@hinsdale86.org. Her page can be found here.