Passion Fuels Change at Troubled Williamsburg School, Principal Says
(DNAINFO) Gwynn Hogan | December 13, 2015 — Once a vibrant pillar of the community for students and families on the south side of Williamsburg, the historic middle school J.H.S 50 John D. Wells has since struggled with declining enrollment, poor attendance and substandard test scores.A year ago it was included on a list of 94 failing schools called “renewal schools” that would receive a boost in funding to extend the school day by an hour, add summer learning opportunities, and increase parental involvement and professional development.Ben Honoroff, brand new principal who began this fall, has “hit the ground running” with the extended school hours, team meetings with staff to talk about best practices and staff visits to all students’ homes to get parents more involved in their childrens’ education.