Shelton schools focus on freshmen, reading

As a projected 4,150 students returned to classrooms yesterday, the Shelton School District is focusing special attention on the new freshmen at its three high schools, Shelton, Cedar and CHOICE.

The Freshman Academy is making its debut. Ninth-graders will take two trimesters of the freshmen seminar, to help them learn to navigate the transition to high school.

"Ninth grade is hard," said Superintendent Wyeth Jessee.

A major goal is to ensure freshmen end the school year with six or more credits and are on course for graduation, Jessee said. The first semester will focus on items such as how t...