Created: 9/24/2009 11:21:00 AM 
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- If the principal and the mood of the students are any indication, the Mighty Tigers of Andrew Jackson High School are roaring back.
Jackson is one of four Duval County Public Schools that have been threatened with closure if it doesn't quickly and drastically improve in academics.
"Great start to the year," said Iranetta Wright, principal.
One month into this critical school year for Andrew Jackson, Wright says the new methods implemented to improve academics have already taken root.
Wright says the turnaround begins with the simple statement: "3816 North Main Street is where we come to do school - not anything else. But it's about school," she said.
Before the new year began, 13 teachers were reassigned as a result of the school's failing grade. The upside, said Wright, is that the teachers here now are excited to be here.
"They are working with the students after school or Saturdays. They are doing whatever it takes to make certain our students get exactly what they need. So at the end of the year we're not in the same place we are right now," she said.
The 1,100-student high school now has mandatory study hall and a volunteer program called Saturday Academy that meets every other week. The first drew 48 out of the 100 asked to attend; this Saturday, Wright says she expects 90.
The state determines which schools are on the troubled list by analyzing FCAT scores. Those standardized tests are given annually to students.
To see what kind of grades your child's school got during 2007-2008 testing, CLICK HERE.
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