Students ask thoughtful questions. Students have higher standards for themselves than when they started. Students are comfortable speaking in class. Students are interested in what's happening politically in the world around them. The number of students reading on their own for pleasure increases.
Students critically analyze the media.
Students write coherent, well-documented research papers. Students doing research assignments put work into their own words. Every student passes algebra. Students have first-hand knowledge of cultural events and museums. Students have well developed skills in at least one area of athletics.