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Intel Schools of Distinction Roxbury Preparatory Charter School. Amy Zaffuto Co-Director, Curriculum and Instruction. Background: Roxbury Prep. Mission: Prepare students to enter, succeed in, and graduate from college
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Intel Schools of DistinctionRoxbury Preparatory Charter School Amy Zaffuto Co-Director, Curriculum and Instruction
Background: Roxbury Prep • Mission: Prepare students to enter, succeed in, and graduate from college • 265 students, 100% African-American or Latino, 72% free and reduced-price lunch eligible • School was founded to serve the underserved communities in Boston without access to college prep schools • School opened in September 1999 with class of 6th grade students; first graduating class in June 2002 • Charter renewed in February 2009
School Organization: • Rigorous, college prep Math, Science, English, History, and Reading classes from 7:45 AM to 3:15 PM • Athletics and visual and performing arts Enrichment classes from 3:15 to 4:15 PM • Small, focused classes with outstanding teachers, a strict code of conduct, and mandatory uniforms
Outstanding Results • On the 2009 8th grade math MCAS test, Roxbury Prep students ranked #1 out of all schools in the Commonwealth. • On the 2009 8th grade ELA MCAS test, Roxbury Prep students ranked #9 out of all schools in the Commonwealth. • Students scored advanced or proficient on the 2009 MCAS at a higher rate than 80% of all Massachusetts middle schools, including Wellesley, Weston, Belmont, Brookline, and Harvard. • Nearly 70% of the students in the Class of 2009 matriculated to independent, parochial, or exam schools. Nearly 80% of the graduates from Roxbury Prep’s first three classes are enrolled in colleges and universities across the nation.
Reasons for Success: • Freedom/Accountability • Research/Systems • Three C’s: Curriculum, Character, Community
Freedom/Accountability: • Freedom • Freedom to establish college prep mission, to require our students to wear formal uniforms and complete two and a half hours of homework each night, to create a culture of academic rigor and high expectations • Accountability • Accountability plan choose systems, choose data to collect and analyze, make outcome-oriented, data-driven decisions • Must produce results otherwise shut down
Research/Systems: • Research Best Practices • There is no “magic bullet” find out what other schools are doing well and do it better • Develop strong systems • Curriculum, discipline, professional development, etc. • Refine your systems every day
Three C’s: Curriculum • Curriculum • Recruitment of outstanding teachers • Extended day: 7:45 AM – 4:15 PM (two periods of literacy; two periods of math) • Development of clear internal standards aligned with MA standards, the MCAS, and our college prep mission (CATs) 3 full weeks in summer • Development of internal assessments aligned with MA standards, the MCAS, and our college prep mission comprehensive assessments each trimester • Tutoring
Three C’s: Character & Community • Character • School Creed • Strict code of conduct (emphasized in information sessions and orientations) • Advisory character development program built around school creed • Community • Enrichment • Community Meeting • Family involvement/communication • Summer opportunities • High School Placement/Graduate Services
Science at Roxbury Prep • Results • MCAS Roxbury Prep students have outperformed Boston Public Schools students, state averages, and affluent suburbs. • Comps Roxbury Prep students average a 50% gain between pre and post test on internal assessments • Program • August Curriculum Development • Professional Development • Double Labs in 8th Grade • Integration of Technology and Engineering Standards