Cohort 8
Memphis
Principal, Manassas High School
“Don’t ever forget that you are the answer to some child’s problem.”
When James R. Griffin walked into Manassas High School as the new principal in the fall of 2010, he entered a new, high-tech building that was held back by low expectations and old ideas. Community members first established Manassas in 1899, and today it is recognized as the county’s oldest four-year accredited high school. Despite this rich tradition, the school suffered from low test scores and graduation rates, frequent fights and a loss of hope.
Under Griffin’s leadership, the learning environment quickly changed. Within a week, he had established clear expectations and consequences regarding student conduct. He then instituted a Parent University to help parents learn how to reinforce and extend lessons. With a focus on data-driven instruction, Griffin established a Data Den where instructors could easily track student progress. Additionally, teachers began to engage in individually tailored professional development based on their data. Community residents and faculty were invited to Appreciative Inquiry sessions to help frame the future of Manassas around “what will be, what can be and what should be.” A Saturday Academy was established to help students with writing composition and staying on track toward graduation.
At the end of the school year, Manassas student graduation rates moved 25 points —from 65 percent to 90 percent in one year. Along with improved graduation rates came college scholarship dollars for students that increased from $500,000 in 2010 to more than $4,000,000 in 2011. Of 135 graduating seniors, 104 received college acceptances —compared to only 25 college acceptances for 98 seniors in 2010. Writing scores at the school also moved from 41 percent of students at grade level in 2010 to 69 percent in 2011. Though academic achievement challenges still remain, Griffin is on his way to reaching his personal goal of transforming Manassas into a model school where all students graduate ready for college success.
