Everyday Hero

A Principal's Perspective

Chip Osborn
8/1/2008

My name is Chip Osborn and I am the principal at a public high school in the Broward School District. My wife, Kathy, and I have been involved with Sheridan House for almost 25 years both financially and through volunteer services.

As a principal, I support Sheridan House because of the dramatic turn around I have witnessed as middle school boys and girls enter the program with report card grades of "D's" and "F's" and very rapidly raise their achievement levels to "A's" and "B's." For example, a student named Josh graduated from Sheridan House and transitioned into the high school where I am currently employed. He became a starter on the varsity football team, graduated with almost a 4.0 average, and received a full-ride football scholarship to college. In our current era of high stakes testing and accountability, any principal would be pleased to have students at his/her school improve academically. Thanks to his time at Sheridan House, Josh experienced a high level of success in high school and now in college.

Middle school success is vital to the progression of students toward high school graduation because it is preparation for the most fast paced and rigorous period of a student’s education -- high school. A recent article from the American Association of School Administrators (The School Administrator March 2005) indicated that an average of thirty two percent of students in Florida and thirteen percent nation wide fail their ninth grade year in high school. I commend Sheridan House for instilling a highly structured environment and strong emphasis on homework time (study hall) each evening in addition to their intensive summer academic program which includes FCAT preparation. I believe that Sheridan House would do everything possible to not allow another child to "slip through the cracks." The Sheridan House residential program helps the whole child – spiritually, behaviorally, emotionally, socially, and educationally.

Educational research indicates that a supportive home environment and parents that are involved in their children's educational process usually results in higher achieving students. Sheridan House's program supports this model. Not only do they assist the child, but they also mentor and encourage the parents of the residents to be involved in their children's education. I proudly stand behind Sheridan House and the partnership that the organization has established with the Broward Public Schools in which they are involved. My family and I continue to support Sheridan House and their efforts to honor Christ by serving the needs of children and families.