www.aspirepublicschools.org

ASPIRE PUBLIC SCHOOLS Annual Update to the LUSD Board of Education

January 15, 2014

Submitted by Mary Welch, Area Superintendent

Aspire celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2014! We are proud to have had our very first school in Lodi in 1999!

We welcome two new principals this year – Kris Jamison at ROCS and Jeff Palmquist at Ben Holt.

Last year we implemented our new teacher effectiveness system of supports and evaluation. The first stipends based on performance were distributed in November.

Our Lodi Schools continue to be a great training ground for our nationally recognized Teacher Residency program. Teachers work alongside a mentor teacher for one year. They earn their Master’s degree and credential through a partnership with Aspire and UOP.

Student achievement remains very high! ROCS increased its API to 899, Holt went up to 892, and Shalvey remained in the 900’s at 917.

Ben Holt graduated for the fifth consecutive year 100% of its seniors with acceptances to a four-year college!

Executive Summary

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Student Achievement - API History

School Rankings

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State Ranking Similar Schools Ranking

ROCS

10-11 9 10

11-12 9 9

VSA

10-11 10 9

11-12 10 10

HOLT

10-11 10 9

11-12 10 10

 

In 2013, we again had 100% of graduating seniors from Ben Holt accepted to four year colleges and universities

54 graduating seniors!

100% college acceptance rate

100%!

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By 2016, three years from now, we’ll be graduating 75 - 80 students each year ready-for college

All 3 schools implemented a new performance system to support and evaluate teacher effectiveness.

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Multiple measures are used for a 360 evaluation of every teacher.

Multiple measures are used for a 360 evaluation of every teacher.

A new teacher effectiveness rubric guides feedback and growth for teachers.

Online resources and coaching supports are available to each teacher in their growth area.

Student growth percentiles are included in evaluation ratings.

Family Satisfaction

• Annual Survey Results: “My child is getting a good education at this school.”

Percentage of families who answered “Strongly Agree ” or “Agree” to the survey statement.Family satisfaction continues to be high compared to the national average of 70%

Teammate response for agreement with the statement, “I understand and embrace the vision and mission of our organization.”

Staff Alignment with Vision/Mission

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% agree or strongly agree

Successes:• Continued to score in the 900’s!• Established strong partnership with APEX academy involving

shared PD, collaboration, and best practices work in reading. • One of the top scoring schools in San Joaquin County• Completed training of 6 resident teachers – one went to our new

Memphis schools.

Focus for 2013-2014:• Begin implementing the Common Core shifts, particularly in

reading/writing.• Share conceptual math program with other schools.• Continue focusing on school-wide growth in academic discourse.

Aspire Vincent Shalvey Academy

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Successes • Increased API to 892!!• 100% of Class of 2013 accepted to a 4 year college/university – 54

students – largest class yet.• Scholar athletes’ programs continued to grow and flourish• Hired new principal, Jeff Palmquist. School transition has been

seamless.

Focus for 2013-2014 • Begin implementation of the Common Core shifts, with particular

emphasis in writing across the curriculum.• Increase percentage of students writing proficiently by 10%• Improve parent satisfaction scores to 92%.

Aspire Ben Holt College Preparatory Academy

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Successes:• Continued to increase high student achievement – API went

from 890 to 899!!• Doubled numbers of students scoring proficient/advanced on

Aspire writing assessment and 5th grade math basic skills tests.

• Hired a new principal, Kris Jamison, who has created a smooth transition.

Focus for 2013-2014• Begin implementation of the common core shifts, with

particular emphasis in reading/writing.• Continue increasing number of highly effective/master

teachers.

Aspire River Oaks Charter School

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