Glowworm Programs

The Gloria R. Davis College Preparatory Academy is a small junior high school (7th, 8th, and 9th grades) located in what is now an impoverished, violent, and neglected area of San Francisco referred to as the Bayview Hunter's Point. Almost all students attending GRD reside in this neighborhood. As a "Phase 1 Dream School", the goal of GRD is to provide a rigorous academic program to enable every student, or "scholars", to pursue a college degree and meaningful employment.

During year 1 (2004-05), one of the more daunting aspects of school life was the behavior of a relatively small number of students. Despite a strict behavioral program and regular trainings for staff and faculty on classroom management, a small number of students disrupted, defied and disrespected teachers, staff, and other students, to the point of disrupting or slowing down classroom instruction on a routine basis. Another observation by staff was that some students are known to be marijuana users. At present, across the school district, there is no systematic, school-based way of addressing students who are found to have substance use issues. (The exception is cigarette smokers in high schools; they can voluntarily attend a cessation program during school hours.)