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DEVELOPING A CHILD’S CHARACTER is as important as developing a child’s mind

Hyde Leadership Charter School

School Community Achievement Report

2013 - 2014

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A Letter from the Executive Director For the past eight years, something special has been happening in Hunts Point, a vibrant community in the South Bronx of New York. Despite multiple obstacles, including widespread unemployment, poverty and environmental pollution, local organizations have been collaborating, working tirelessly to create opportunity and justice for our children and families that deserve better. A catalyst in this transformational movement is the Hyde Leadership Charter School (Hyde), an organization I am now proud to call my home as I assume the role of Executive Director.

As you will read in the next few pages of our inaugural School Community Achievement Report, Hyde has been busy since our founding in 2006, with remarkable results to prove it. While I am excited to be joining such an incredible

team, I am also eager to demonstrate Leadership, one of Hyde’s Five Words, by guiding our students, families, teachers and staff toward an even brighter future of equity, possibility and achievement.

I am extremely proud of our work as a K–12 college-preparatory school serving 950 students and their families. This past year, I am happy to report that 96% of our seniors graduated high school in four years, an impressive accomplishment relative to the national average1, 79%, and comparable Bronx District 8 average2, 48%. I attribute this success to Hyde’s unique approach to education, which doesn’t just emphasize academic achievement, but includes strategic programming to support character development and family engagement. Furthermore, I believe that our partnership with families and consistent self-reflection attends to the greater humanity of the individuals we serve, something other urban schools too often miss.

Hyde’s future excites me! When our first graduating class completes college in 2017, and when our current kindergarten students receive their bachelor’s degrees in 2031, I dream of a community that rises together, working toward a shared unique potential, demonstrating to the world that academic achievement, strong character and united families are far more powerful than any obstacles in their way.

Sincerely,

Thomas K. Sturtevant Executive Director

I believe that our partnership with families and

consistent self-reflection attends to the greater

humanity of the individuals we serve, something

other urban schools too often miss.

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Contents

2013-2014 Achievements 4

Hyde Leadership Charter School: By the Numbers 6

The Hyde Difference 7

Preparation for Life: Hyde’s Guiding Words and Principles 9

Appendix 10

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2013-2014 Achievements At Hyde, we believe that human beings are more complex than data points and that the fulfillment of a person’s life correlates not simply to test scores, but even more so to their relationships with others and the content of their character. But how do you measure that? Can you quantify courage? Fortunately, we are able to assess our academic growth, character development and family partnerships both directly and indirectly, by observing achievement metrics, college persistence, event attendance and civic engagement. Below is a summary of Hyde’s performance in the 2013-2014 school year. Congratulations Class of 2014. Hyde’s most recent senior class made both their families and their teachers proud. Ninety-six percent of Hyde’s Class of 2014 graduated from high school in 4 years, with 96% of graduating students enrolling in college. Seniors were accepted into 79 different universities around the country. Not only that, but Hyde alumni continue to demonstrate college persistence, a result of their academic preparation and character development – 90% of Hyde’s Class of 2013 are returning to universities for their sophomore year. Provided the context of Hunts Point, where poverty rates are high (35% of families earning less than $15,000 a year3), and local academic performance is often low (48% of Bronx District 8 students graduate from high school in 4 years), the accomplishments of Hyde students and alumni is profound. In addition, our students in lower grades are also experiencing the impact of a Hyde education. A recent Harvard EdLabs study found that Hyde middle school students gained approximately one additional month of learning in math and two additional months of learning in English for each year enrolled at our school4.

Character and Family Achievements. Yet Hyde’s accomplishments are not constrained by measurements of academic achievement alone. We are performing inside the classroom and out, as a community. This past year, 80% of Hyde’s 690 families attended 6 or more parent engagement events, which included Parent Teacher Conferences, Discovery Nights, Family Days and Family Retreats. In addition, high school students completed over 3,500 hours of community service in 2013-2014, often working in partnership with strong international and local organizations such as Global Potential, Hunts Point Alliance for Children, Rocking the Boat and the Sustainable South Bronx.

Hyde alumni continue to demonstrate college

persistence - 90% of Hyde’s Class of 2013 are

returning to universities for their sophomore year.

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96% of Hyde’s senior class graduated from high school in 4 years.

96% of Hyde’s graduating seniors enrolled in college.

90% of Hyde’s graduating seniors from 2012-2013 are returning

to college for their sophomore year.

96%

79% 70%

Hyde LeadershipCharter School

U.S. Average Low-Income StudentAverage

High School Graduation Rate5

96%

66%

41%

Hyde LeadershipCharter School

U.S. Average Low-Income StudentAverage

College Enrollment Rate6

90%

74%

Hyde Leadership Charter School U.S. Average

College Freshmen Year Retention Rate7

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Hyde Leadership Charter School: By the Numbers

The percentage of

students who speak

English as a second

language, per state

designation

The percentage of

students who

receive special

education services

The percentage of

families in Hunts

Point that earn less

than $15,000 per

year

The percentage of

Hyde’s Class of

2013 returning for

their sophomore

year of college

The percentage of

children in Hunts

Point living in

poverty

The percentage of

Hyde students who

qualify for free or

reduced cost lunch

The percentage of

seniors who

graduated high

school in 4 years

The percentage of

graduating seniors

enrolling in college

The percentage of

students who complete

100 hours of

community service

before graduation

The percentage of

students receiving

special education

services who

graduated from high

school in 4 years

1966 2006 2011 2013

The year the fundamental

principles of Hyde’s

educational approach,

including Family-Based

Character Education, were

developed by Joe Gauld,

founder of Hyde Schools

The year Hyde

Leadership Charter

School is founded in

Hunts Point, South

Bronx, New York

The year construction is

completed and doors open

to Hyde’s new high school –

the first new educational

building in Hunts Point in

over 30 years

The year of Hyde’s

first graduating

class – 90% just

returned for their

sophomore year of

college

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The Hyde Difference The Hyde approach is unlike any other – our mission is to develop the deeper character and unique potential of each student. We believe that all children, regardless of their neighborhood, race or income, are gifted with special talents to offer the world, and that school is a place for students to develop the skills and mindsets needed to become their best selves. With the Family-Based Character Education Model, developed by Joe Gauld in 1966, we focus on helping students develop their character and the skills they need for life through rigorous academics, self-discovery and family involvement. Academics and Character Development. With both academic and character curricula, the Hyde philosophy places a strong focus on hard work and self-reflection to help prepare students for success in college and in life. Opportunities that aid students’ academic development, cultivate leadership skills and shape a social conscience include:

An extended school day, Common Core aligned pedagogy, data-driven feedback cycles, and academic

partnerships with organizations such as Reading Partners, Scholastic and My Achievement Network

Diverse course offerings for students including languages, arts, music and Advanced Placement classes

Inclusive learning environments incorporating best practices in co-teaching and student interventions

College counselors and alumni affairs teams working to support students beyond high school

Structured Character Curriculum focusing on Hyde’s Words; Leadership, Integrity, Curiosity, Courage, Concern;

and Hyde’s Principles; Truth, Destiny, Humility, Conscience and Brother’s Keeper

Multiple opportunities for community and individual reflection such as Discovery Groups, Seminars,

School Meetings, Family Retreats, Family Days and Parent Discovery Nights

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Family Education. We understand the critical importance of parents in helping to develop a child’s character. Ultimately, parents are the primary teachers and home is the primary classroom. Hyde expects all parents to make a commitment to their own growth and change. The Family Education Department supports parents through this process. Its mission is to emphasize, foster and develop family renewal by bringing students, teachers and parents together to focus on personal growth. This is achieved through action and reflection activities, which include Seminars, Discovery Nights, Family Days, Family Retreats and other experiences where Hyde community members support and challenge one another. Hyde works hard to authentically partner with families, which is reflected in our family engagement data. Every year since the school was founded in 2006, 80% of families have attended 6 or more school events.

Community, Athletics and the Arts. We believe that preparing students for life involves more than excellent classroom instruction. For this reason, Hyde expects all students to engage in activities beyond academics, including service to the community, participation in athletics and enrichment through the arts. Before graduation, 100% of Hyde students participate in at least 2 sports or clubs, and by their senior year, each student must also complete 100 hours of community service. Hyde’s high school students completed 3,587 hours of service to their community in 2013-2014.

of Hyde families have attended 6 or more school events each year since the

school was founded

80%

We understand the critical importance of parents in

helping to develop a child’s character. Ultimately,

parents are the primary teachers and home is the

primary classroom.

30% of Hyde students have family members that also attend school at Hyde

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Hyde’s Five Words

Hyde’s Five Principles

Courage

I learn the most about myself by facing challenges and taking risks.

Concern

I need a challenging and supportive community in which to develop my character.

Curiosity

I am responsible for my own learning.

Integrity

I am gifted with a unique potential and conscience is my guide to discovering it.

Leadership

I am a leader through asking the best of myself and the best of others.

Destiny

Each of us is gifted with a unique potential.

Humility

We believe in a power and purpose beyond ourselves.

Conscience

We achieve our best through character and conscience.

Truth

Is our primary guide.

Brother’s Keeper

We help others achieve their best.

Preparation for Life: Hyde’s Guiding Words and Principles

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Appendix The following appendix includes links to facts and information referenced throughout this report. In an effort to

practice Hyde’s Principle of Truth, please contact us if you believe a figure was misstated in any way. 1 The National Center of Education Statistics (NCES) First Look report estimates that the 2010-2011 4-year adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR) for public high school students was 79 percent. The report can be accessed here: http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2014/2014391.pdf 2 The most recent Public School District Total Cohort Graduation Rate and Enrollment Outcome Summary for the 2012-13 School Year reports that 47.6% of students in NYC Geological District #8 received high school degrees within 4 years. The report can be accessed here: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/irs/pressRelease/20140623/District-enroll-outcomes-and-diplomasJune-23-2014.pdf 3 Thirty-five percent of families in Hunts Point earn less than $15,000 a year, while 49% of Hunts Point children live in poverty, as reported by the Hunts Point Alliance for Children and the Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York. Information about Hunts Point can be found here: http://www.hpac10474.org/facts-figures/ 4 Hyde students gain about a month of learning in math and two months of learning in English for each year they are enrolled at Hyde, according to a 2012 report, conducted by Will Dobie and Roland G. Fryer of Harvard University. Hyde received this information from the research team after participating in a broader study of charter school effectiveness, which can be found here: http://scholar.harvard.edu/files/fryer/files/dobbie_fryer_revision_final.pdf 5 The low-income student high school graduation rate average is 70%, while the low-income student college enrollment rate average is 41%, according to a recent KIPP report, which can be found here: http://www.kipp.org/files/dmfile/CollegeCompletionReport.pdf 6 In October 2013, 65.9% of the 2013 high school graduates were enrolled in colleges or universities, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A link to this information can be found here: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/hsgec.nr0.htm 7 ACT, Inc. reports that 73.7% of first-year students at four-year colleges returned for their second year in 2014. A link to this report can be found here: http://www.act.org/research/policymakers/pdf/14retain_trends.pdf

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communities rise together

Make A Difference Character building, family education programs and excellent academic instruction would not exist without funds from generous donors and other fundraising efforts. Previously, Hyde has received contributions from friends, family, associates, foundations and local businesses. To learn more about donating to the Hyde Leadership Charter School mission, visit www.hydebronxny.org, or send contributions directly to: Development Office Hyde Leadership Charter School 830 Hunts Point Avenue Bronx, NY 10474

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Hyde Leadership Charter School

730 Bryant Avenue (Grades K – 8)

830 Hunts Point Avenue (Grades 9 – 12)

Bronx, NY 10474

www.hydebronxny.org

© 2014 Hyde Leadership Charter School. All rights reserved.