One of the latest, most far-reaching school reform ideas that has reached the experimental stage is the small schools movement: breaking up large, urban public high schools into smaller, themed academies. In theory, smaller schools provide more individual attention to students and parents, while a theme connects the students to the wider world — opening up educational resources outside the classroom and making learning more relevant to students. The approach combines elements of magnet and charter schools, but is planned for a much more far-reaching rollout: 100,000 students in New York City alone.

The Wall Street Journal (paid subscription required) is keeping a diary of the New York Harbor School‘s first year. Halfway into the school year, parents and teachers have noticed that enthusiasm from the students is still strong, but that academic performance shows no signs of marked improvement.