responsive education solutions annual report 2009

8/14/2019 Responsive Education Solutions Annual Report 2009

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Board of DirectorsLupe GonzalezBoard President

Marvin ReynoldsBoard Vice President

Dan MaddalenaBoard Secretary

Judge Willard FrenchBoard Member

Ben Klingenstein

Board Member

Earl LittleBoard Member

Executive TeamChuck CookChief Executive Officer

Alan WimberleyChief Systems Officer

Robert DavisonChief Operating Officer

Rosalinda GonzalezChief Academic Officer

Dan Clower

Chief Financial Officer

Dear Reader,

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Executive Team of Responsive Education Solutions, I want towelcome you to our 2009 Annual Report and thank you for your support in celebrating our tenth anniversary.

You will find many statistics and facts throughout the following pages that outline the positive outcomes fromour tenyear history. Yet, we want you to notice so much more than just information. We encourage you totake note of the theme running throughout each story, each statistic and each page. That theme is Hope andChange.

Many educators are satisfied with the idea of teaching for its own sake. In fact, many feel that if theeducator teaches, the job of education is complete. However, at Responsive Education Solutions, this is notenough for us. We strongly feel that the purpose of education is not fulfilled until the student learns. Our goalis not only to teach but also to provide hope for students, parents and communities alike. Our mission is tosee lives changed through our work. Educating students takes a clear focus on learning as the main goal andchanging lives as the ultimate purpose.

If we truly want to change our world, we have to start with each individual connected with our work.Whether it be teachers finding real significance as those who make a difference in the lives of students;parents finding real educators who care almost as much for their children as they do; or students finding thatsuccess is not just for others but can be achieved and sustained throughout life, this closeknit community ofstakeholders is determined to do what it takes to change lives. Our commitment to lifechanging educationensures that the successes of the past ten years will not remain historical in nature, to look back on in futuredays. Rather, our successes serve as landmarks in our journey to change lives, to change families and to changeour world. These landmarks allow us to celebrate what we have achieved. Yet, they also beckon us to thehigher call to continue in this journey.

Thank you for taking the time to read this

report. After reading it, I hope you will join us inthis journey to change lives.

With best wishes and appreciation,

Charles CookChief Executive Officer

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In 1998, our first year of operation, ResponsiveEd was granted the opportunity to open anunprecedented 15 schools. Ten years later, we now operate 35 charter schools across Texasand will be opening an additional 6 throughout the forthcoming year. We offer grades fromElementary to High School, each providing challenging and studentcentered curriculumand programs. We are the largest charter school organization in Texas, and we are changing

lives and providing hope to hundreds of communities across the state.

Premier High Schools Vista Academies iSchool High Quest Middle Schools

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Landmarks of the Journey

ResponsiveEdTAKS Progress Measure

20052009

100

90

80

70

60

50

200563

200990

200667

200770

200880

100

90

8070

60

50

40

30

20

100

All Students African Hispanic White Economically American

ResponsiveEd Texas Average

9085 88

9489

81

73

80

88

78

ResponsiveEdStatewide AEA Rating Comparison

20082009

100 of ourhigh schools received

the highest possibleacademic rating

In education, academic success is marked by performance on

required testing. ResponsiveEd experienced phenomenal success inthe 200809 school year. Our schools achieved the states highestratings on our campuses designed for alternative education status.On our elementary and high school campuses designed for standardeducation status, our campuses received Exemplary or Recog

nized ratings, identifyingResponsiveEd as one of the mostsuccessful charter school systemsin Texas and among the most

successful of any school systemstatewide.As a system accredited by

the Texas Education Agency, we surpassed our goals as our studentsperformed exceptionally on all statemandated testing, and we saw ahuge increase in our number of graduates. Beyond that, as one of thefew charter school systems accredited by the Southern Association ofColleges and Schools, our family of schools far exceeded the standardand created a greater definition of excellence and quality. Thislandmark year provides a true measure of progress on our journey.

Yet, we are careful to remindourselves that test scores are not what makes aResponsiveEd campus exemplary. It isimportant and necessary to view statistics,measure performance and make decisionsbased on data. It is good to know how we aredoing as an educational entity designed toensure effective learning. An education is somuch more than numbers, though. Yes, we do

test. And, when we do, our students andcampuses test well. But for us, exemplarycampuses do more than that.

What is an exemplary campus to us? The World English Dictionary describesexemplary as setting an example so admirable thatothers would do well to copy it. We like thatdefinition. We believe our campuses set anexample. Did we meet and exceed academic

standards last year? Yes. But a ResponsiveEdcampus sets an example far beyond testing.Our teachers and students continue to confirmthat for us. We believe this is education aseducation was meant to be.

Our total number of campuses has more thandoubled since our first year. However, ourtotal number of graduates has increased by1,309 in that same amount of time.

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roel esquivel

watch Roels entire story at: www.Lives-Education.com/roel

T hey believe in me, and they believe in who I can become.Roel's future was looking bright at his previous school. He was excelling in his studies as well as achieving in both basketball and

track. But Roel soon began to experiment with drugs and to lose sight of what was really important his friends and his education.He pursued this lifestyle until the last week of school when police officers came and arrested him for possession of drugs. As he

was led to the police car, the crowd formed. All of his former coaches gathered around to look on as the student with so much potentialwas handcuffed and put in the backseat. Roel remembers the day well and recalls, "I felt low, lower than dirt."

He glanced up and looked into the eyes of his favorite coach. Roel saw the hurt and disappointment that was so boldly writtenacross his coachs face. At that moment, he knew that this was not what life was about, and he knew he needed to change. After a shorttime in jail, he asked his mother if he could be transferred to Premier High School. He knew that at Premier he could get his life on track,

finish his credits faster and start taking his education seriously again.Roel has started to succeed once more. Now, he stays out of trouble because he knows that the road he was on left few options forthe future. However, Premier gives him the chance to pursue a life full of opportunity. Roel says, "I know I've changed because of thepeople that are here. They believe in me, and they believe in who I can become."

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watch Johneens entire story at: www.Lives-Education.com/johneen

T he education that I received from Premier was invaluable.

Johneen had always been a gifted student, but she was overwhelmed by the demands that shefaced. So, as a result, she began to hate going to school. Even though she wanted to stop going, she knew that

dropping out was not the right decision. She met with her mom, and they decided it was time for a change. She enrolledin Premier High School and not only continued to succeed, but her love of education returned.

While at Premier, she was awarded Student of the Year and was always encouraged by the teachers who told her thatshe could do anything. She graduated from Premier and received a full scholarship which would cover her education all the

way through receiving a doctorate degree.

Johneen is currently pursuing her Masters Degree and holds a 4.0 gradepoint average. She says, The education Ireceived from Premier was invaluable. Not only did it provide me with the scholastic tools that I needed to succeed, it alsoshowed me that my education and what I did with it was my choice.

johneen ardoin

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Culture & Character

Responsive Education Solutions has a proven

ability to listen to the community, conduct the necessary

research and create an effective academic program

designed to provide success and excellence for students.

More than an instructional mission, ResponsiveEd is

committed to changing lives and providing hope

through education. It may take the form of parents finding a quality choice for their elementaryaged child. It

may be an older student finally finding a school that

provides the commitment to do what it takes to help

him or her attain a high school diploma. Parent after

parent, student after

student, educator after

educatorthe testimonies

and stories of success

through change and hope

continue growing.

Education at Responsive Education Solutions

focuses on the learning of the child, rather than on the

teaching of the educator. There is a defined sense of

responsibility taken by ResponsiveEd educators toensure that learning happens. The blend of effective

and professional curriculum, teachers and standards

places focus and value where it belongson the success

of the student. Interwoven with these elements are

passion, commitment and love for students that drives

educators to realize their true calling. ResponsiveEd has

experienced exponential growth and success, yet theseachievements serve as an encouragement to continue

improving and helping students succeed.

All ResponsiveEd campuses are

professional learning communities. This environment

calls for a dual role for educators: to be dependent on each

other for the good of the student and to teach students tobe independent learners. ResponsiveEd educators under

stand that the success of the student comes first. On a

ResponsiveEd campus, there is a consistent collaboration

between educators. Whether monitoring student progress

or sharing ideas, ResponsiveEd professionals depend on

each other to continually create and define a successful

environment for students. Our educators also consistently

lead students to become independent learners. Developingthis characteristic in students produces a sense of accom

plishment that continues long past graduation.

Successful people have similar traits.

The ability to take responsibility for yourself andwork hard, doing the right thing, seeing yourself as part of a

greater communitythese characteristics define success in

todays world. Add to these the element of character such as

doing the right thingbecause its the right thing to do and

givingyourself to your community. Therefore, character and

success go together. ResponsiveEd designs an academic

environment usingSeven Habits of Effective Students

andCharacter First

to teach more than academicsubjects. Students at ResponsiveEd schools learn how to

make good decisions as well as making good grades.

Responsive Education Solutions is dedicated to creating

and maintaining a culture of high expectations and

individual responsibility. To change our world, educators

must champion the idea that

a child can attain any goal,

retain all learned knowledgeand sustain a lifestyle that

proves beneficial for the

entire lifetime of the

student.

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From Enrollment to Graduation

1999200065

20072008687

20012002311

20032004

479

20052006526

ResponsiveEd Graduates

20002009900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

Total Graduates20002009

4,244

20082009851

19992000726

200320042,393

200720082,742

200820093,845

ResponsiveEd Enrollment20002009

4000

3500

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0

Enrollment Growth19992009

529

ResponsiveEd

reaches over400 communities

Whether its the first day of kindergarten or graduation night, ResponsiveEd studentsand parents recognize quality educationblended with compassion and care.

ResponsiveEd exists for one inarguable reason:options. As the number of students statewide grows,more and more parents and students are wanting to

choose where and howthey are educated. Thoughschools may come and go,ResponsiveEd campuses,specifically in this past

year, are defined and identified by increasing numbersand waiting lists. While adhering to our core value tostay small by design in our classrooms, we experiencedthis past year an explosion of growth in our enrollment.People, having discovered ResponsiveEd, are affirming

our belief that quality education will be recognized andsought after as the choice among parents and students.

In our first year, 65 students walked across astage to receive their high school diplomas. This past

year, that number rose to 851. As students movebeyond high school to make their own way, we understand the growing urgency to ensure that they havethe best possible opportunities in life. As part of this

life in the new century, the greatest opportunities areafforded those with a solid education. ResponsiveEdcontinues to provide more students each year withthat education. Over the past ten years, more than4,200 students have been equipped with an education that opens doors and affords a better life as theytake their place in our society.

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Financial OutlookFiscal Year 20072008

BALANCE SHEETAssets

Total Current AssetsProperty and Equipment,

Net of DepreciationOther Assets

Total Assets

Liabilities and Net Assets

Current LiabilitiesLongTerm LiabilitiesNet Assets

Total Liabilities andNet Assets

4,973,283

3,076,605 266,630

$8,316,518

3,080,438890,029

4,346,051

$8,316,518

FUNCTION EXPENSE SUMMARY

Program Services

Instruction and Related ServicesInstructional and School Leadership

Total Program ServicesSupport Services

Administrative Support ServicesStudent Support ServicesFacility Maintenance and OperationsSecurity and Data Processing ServicesFundraising and Community Services

Total Support Services

Total Expenditures

15,611,9322,755,833

$18,367,765

1,996,374400,2962,268,183

72,58377,349

$4,814,785$23,182,550 Instruction

15,611,93267.3

CampusLeadership

2,755,83311.9

Administrative1,996,374

8.6

Student Support400,296

1.7

Facilities2,268,183

9.8

ResponsiveEd considers the investment offinancial resources to be a sacred trust andexperienced tremendous validation of our

efficient operations in the past year.

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Community Services77,3494.

Security & IT72,583

3.

200311,623,639.94

2009 Estimate31,135,131

200515,967,645.54

200717,863,442.76

200822,065,217

Revenue

2003201040M

35M

30M

25M

20M

15M

10M

2010 Projected39,487,575

Revenue Growth20032010

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Premier High Gives Studentsthe Opportunity to Succeed.

iSchool High Offers Students theChoice to Upgrade Their Education.

At Premier High Schools, the student matters. In 200809,

our Premier High Schools set new standards of excellence. Thoughpreviously characterized as campuses for alternative educationstudents, Premier educators created a level of quality that is nolonger confined within the limits of an alternative education.

Applying sound educational practice and focused attention, Premier proved to be a place of success for students needingadditional opportunities, students seeking innovative methods,

and students wanting a true learningbased environment.Though some students may have been left out or fallen

behind by traditional systems, Premier offers a programdesigned to ensure that all students learn and all students succeed.

Academic strengths are maximized and weaknesses are strengthened. Premiercampuses continue to be centers of hope and opportunity for all students.

iSchool High offers a rigorous curriculum with an emphasison preparing students for higher education and 21stcenturycareers. Like other ResponsiveEd campuses, student success isparamount to the mission of the school.

iSchool uses projectbased learning PBL, virtual coursesand engaging instruction to keep content relevant forstudents. The school also features a onetoone ratio of

computers to students. Individualized instruction, including mentoring, tutoring, group work and special interactiveworkshops are keys to success. Individual accountabilitywhere students take responsibility for their success is a

hallmark of iSchool High. Conducted in an environment of collaboration and a culture of businesslike practice, iSchool High sets, rather than meets,standards for quality and excellence.

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zac cureton

watch Zacs entire story at: www.Lives-Education.com/zac

Im a person here, and this is a community.The life of a large, impersonal high school campus put Zac off. It seemedlike the only individual attention any students were given was the negativeattention that was given to the students who caused the most trouble. Zac wasdissatisfied with the distractions. He was tired of being just a number. He was ready for a change of atmosphere.

The experience he found at iSchool High was just what he needed.At iSchool, the small class size, personal instruction and positive relationships with his fellow classmates not to mention

the faculty challenged Zac to do his best. Instead of being overlooked and just another face in the crowd, Zac flourishedin the iSchool environment and found within himself leadership qualities he never knew existed.

Zacs iSchool experience was so positive that he actually considered a career as a teacher! Today, having graduated fromiSchool, Zac is attending college and is a psychology major. He still comes back to iSchool now and then to visit the teacherswho made such a difference in his life.

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the raney s

watch The Raneys entire story at: www.Lives-Education.com/theraneys

It was just a really goodmatch for our daughter.

Emmy Raney needed a change of pace, and her parents, Keith and Donna, found it for her when they enrolled her atVista Academies. From the very beginning, Emmy felt warmly welcomed by everyone at her new school. The individualizedapproach and specialized curriculum offered at Vista Academy were just what she needed.

Emmys Mom and Dad were impressed with her new school. They didnt have to wonder how Emmy was doingtheywere updated on Emmys progress by her teacher on a daily basis and constantly encouraged to be involved in her education.

Progress was swift. Emmy blossomed in her studies at Vista and developed a new love for reading. Donna says, Wefeel like this curriculum will help Emmy continue to have a love for reading for the rest of her life.

,

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Vista Academies Are Elementary SchoolsOffering Personalized Instruction.

Quest Middle Schools Are Models of ClassicalCurriculum and Community-Based Campuses.

The secret to the success of Vista Academies is caring, energetic teachers who offer apersonalized educational approach for each child. Our second year of offering elementary

schools was characterized by an assurance that we were meeting the needs of parents as well

as students. Vista provides a smallschool community designed to allow parents involvement

in the education of their child.

Vista, while receiving ratings of exemplary and recognized, is centered on the

partnerships created with families and stakeholders. This system of campuses is proving to

be the choice for more families seeking education based on the development of the whole

child. While teachers provide the structure necessary for young students to mature and

progress, technology designed to measure the difference between each child's needs and

abilities is utilized to maximize student learning. Each student attending a Vista Academy is diagnosed

with appropriate measurement tools to assess his or her current level. Teachers use these tools to assist in meeting

each childs needs. Students are excited to come to school. Parents are grateful for a choice in education. Teachers are

loyal to the approach. Vista continues to be a proud part of the ResponsiveEd family of schools.

Quest Middle Schools is an exciting new opportunity for students in the middle school years. Using a classicalcurriculum including literacy, logic and the humanities, Quest helps middle school students build a solid foundation

for success in later years. Beyond the classical aspect, however, Quest Middle Schools also provides curriculum

designed to teach wisdom.

Knowledge is crucial, but wisdom is a vital part of any persons growth and

maturity. We believe middle school is the perfect opportunity to teach this impor

tant, though often overlooked, aspect of education. Character education is also

taught at all levels, and leadership skills training is offered through our 7 Habits ofEffective Teens environment. Quest Middle Schools administrators and teachers

care about students and have a passion to see them reach their full potential. While

no child left behind may be a slogan for some, Quest educators, parents and

students work together to create an environment committed to the highest quality

in education for all students.

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First Charter School System to DisplayStudent Artwork at TEA Art Exhibit

Every year the Texas Education Agency collaborates with the Texas

Commission on the Arts to exhibit student artwork in many governmentbuildings in the Austin area. ResponsiveEd is honored to be the first charter school system to be invited to display our students work.

The education of our students is always our first priority, and wewelcome an opportunity to show their creativity and talent to others. Weencourage our students to use their talents and to develop their skills for

the future.A collection of over 200 pieces of art created by our students will be on display and seen by the

public at these exhibits. It is with a sense of pride in their participation and honor in their achievementsthat we support them as they represent all of us in our states capitol.

Book Drive For Kids-A New Initiative by ResponsiveEd

ResponsiveEd's Book Drive For Kids is a nonprofit charity seeking to emptydusty shelves and put childrens books into the hands of kids who need them.Many families and organizations have childrens books they no longer need oruse. Many lowincome and atrisk children have no books of their own. BookDrive For Kids seeks to put the two together.

Our approach is simple. First, we createawareness of the need. Second, we collect and distribute books.

Third, we recycle books that are donated but are in poor condition

and cannot be used. Everyone can help.Whether you donate a book, volunteer to run a book drive or

giveaway event, donate to help us build a library or to purchase newbooks for children, theres a place for you at Book Drive For Kids.

To find out more, please visit our website:www.BookDriveForKids.com

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What The Future Holds . . .

Responsive Education SolutionsThe very name of our company defines our journey. The 200809 school year was a shining example of our landmarks onthat journey.

We were responsive.The diverse nature of our campuses, from elementary schools to high schools, demonstrated our ability to be responsiveto each community and create the most effective program aligned with needs.

We educated.Our results and successful ratings speak for themselves. Every campus accepted the challenge and every campus

succeeded. This past year was a watershed for excellence based on learning as the goal.

We developed solutions.Meeting the challenges of educating effectively is an equation rather than a problem to solve. We solved that equationtime and time again in 200809. As a result, education flourished in our system and learning happened.

So, what does the future hold?As we look back to our landmarks and forward to new challenges, we know this journey depends on our two most basic

beliefs.

Providing hope . . .We will continue to seek the disenfranchised older student needing another chance. We will continue to create innovativeopportunities for the advanced student needing more challenges. We will continue building elementary campuses,connecting with parents and the community. Hope lies at the heart of what we do and why we do it. At no time in ourhistory have we been more aware of the need to provide hope, and we will strive to never forget this throughout ourfuture.

Changing lives . . .The true success of what we will do, now and in our future, may not be seen for years to come. Our goal is to see liveschanged in such a way that twenty years from now children of our current students will have better lives because theirparents attended a ResponsiveEd campus. Communities will be filled with thousands of former ResponsiveEd students

who are now leaders among their peers, and ResponsiveEd will still be changing lives through education.

As we continue on this journey, we know we are blessed to be able to do something significant and lifechanging. Our

personal hope is that you will join us on this journey and find your place among us as we continue to give all we have forthose who need all we are.

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www.ResponsiveEd.comResponsive Education Solutions

PO Box 292730Lewisville, TX 75029

To learn more about ResponsiveEdand to hear the full stories of the lives that have been changed, visit:

www.LivesEducation.com

www.PremierHighSchools.com

www.iSchoolHigh.com

www.QuestMiddleSchools.com

www.VistaAcademies.com

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