The Freshman House is a smaller learning community with special features proven to help students successfully transition from middle school to high school.

• Freshmen are taught by a team of teachers who work in collaboration to link the lessons of individual courses, making them more relevant.
• The Freshman House is divided into five teams.  Each student takes four core classes with their house.
• Extra support is provided for students who need academic assistance or face challenging life situations.
• A counselor has been assigned to the Freshman House to deal with scheduling, assistance to students, and to help students stay on track with classes.
• Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships are stressed.

At Danville High School (DHS), the “3Rs” of education no longer mean just reading, writing, and arithmetic.  The Rs stand for Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships – three words on which Danville High School is building academic and social success for its students.

• DHS stresses Rigor by providing the opportunity and encouraging all students to take classes at the College Prep or Honors level.
• DHS stresses Relevance by developing and delivering curriculum that shows the connection between school courses and future careers.

DHS stresses Relationships on many levels:

• Teachers and students
• Peer relationships
• Parents in partnership with teachers
• Parents in partnership with their children and other students
• A caring community that provides opportunities for students

All freshmen are enrolled in one of the following four core classes.

Core Classes:

• Freshman English Foundations or Honors Freshman English Foundation
• Algebra A, Algebra 1, Geometry or Honors Geometry
• Human Life Science, Cellular Life Science, Biology 1-2 or Honors Biology 1-2
• World History 1-2 or Honors World History 1-2

In addition, per the Illinois State Board of Education

• PE/Health

Support is available for freshmen through the following: 

• Summer transition programs (Summer school classes offered at the Jackson Building and Credit Recovery at DHS)
• Math support classes (Projects in Algebra)
• Literacy support classes (Freshman Literacy classes)
• 21st Century After-School program
• Student Advocate (focus on students with attendance and truancy issues)
• Attendance Officer to help with students who are absent
• Teachers provide extra help for students after school, if needed

Freshmen have the option of taking two of the following:

• Keyboarding
• Introduction to Computer Application
• Introduction to Business and Technology
• Introduction to Careers
• Career and Ethics
• Introduction to Art
• Band
• Music (String Pedagogy, Band, and Singing Vikings)
• Foreign Language (Latin, Spanish, and French)
• Projects in Algebra
• Freshman Literacy
  
  
• Electives are limited for students in support courses.

Students are identified for math and literacy support classes based on their performance on the EXPLORE test taken by all eighth grade students, and on recommendation from the 8th grade teachers and school counselor.

Yes, the buses come early for freshmen whose eight period day begins at 7:20 a.m.  All other students start their seven period day at 8:15 unless they want to take an extra class starting at 7:20. The school day ends at 2:40 p.m. for all students.

Through the years, research has proven that the strongest programs are the programs that start out with a strong foundation.  The foundation that we are giving the freshmen will allow them to be successful not only this year, but the next three years as well.  Consider the following benefits to our students: