Faced with the anxiety of upcoming exams, a class full of Natchez High ninth-graders worked diligently over math problems after school before the Christmas break. The students are taking part in a new after-school program designed to make sure all ninth-graders make the grade this year.

&uot;Our goal is to make sure that 95 percent of our kids pass all their classes,&uot; said Bobby Brown. As ninth-grade principal, his primary concern is the success of those 436 freshmen.

Right now that rate is 75 to 85 percent, and 90 percent of the freshman would be eligible to be sophomores if the school year ended right now, Brown said.

The program is aimed at students like Charles Perry, who already has improved his physical science grade from an &uot;F&uot; to a &uot;C.&uot;

&uot;I’m trying to aim for an ‘A,’&uot; Perry said.

The after-school program is voluntary, but school staff has identified and encouraged some students to attend.

Brown said the program may become a requirement for students who miss at least two classroom assignments.

&uot;What we’re going to do is make sure the kids do the work they need to do,&uot; Brown said.

The program is primarily federally funded. The money pays to have Anne McMullen, a Natchez High chemistry teacher, facilitate the class and pays five seniors to help with the tutoring.

&uot;It’s a really rewarding experience to be able to share what you know with somebody else,&uot; said senior Sanquanett Jones. &uot;It makes you feel good.&uot;

Adria Johnson, another tutor, said one of the challenges is adjusting to the specific needs of the students.

&uot;In some ways it’s hard because a lot of students learn in a certain way and I have to adapt to the way they learn to teach them,&uot; Johnson said. &uot;It’s not necessarily the way I learned.&uot;

McMullen said attendance at the tutoring had increased recently as exams neared.

&uot;I think a lot of people don’t really believe what a hole they are in until they’re in way, way deep, she said.

The idea behind the tutoring is help the students who want the help.

&uot;This is not punishment,&uot; McMullen said. &uot;It’s not after-school detention.&uot;