Presentation to the Boston School Committee May 13, 2020 Who We - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Presentation to the Boston School Committee May 13, 2020

Who We Are

• A Horace Mann “in-district” Charter School located in Brighton;

serving ~500 students in grades 6-12 from every neighborhood

• Boston’s only school focused on sustainability and preparing

the next generation of leaders for success in college and green careers; Ch. 74 CTE program in Environmental Science; 2019 U.S. & Mass. Green Ribbon Schools Award Winner

• Founded in 2011 as a ‘re-start’ of a struggling BPS high school

in South Boston; expanded to include middle grades in 2014

• Successful turnaround that enrolls one of the most diverse and

high needs populations in Boston; very strong student supports

• One of the most successful secondary schools in BPS that

don’t select their students

Who We Serve

BGA BPS Mass. Students of Color 91.0% 85.4% 39.9% Students with Disabilities 30.5% 20.3% 18.1% English Language Learners 15.5% 32.1% 10.5% High Needs Students 80.3% 76.2% 47.6% Economically Disadvantaged 60.9% 56.5% 31.2%

Our Progress

Enrollment

• 900+ lottery and choice form

applications for 100 seats (60 6th grade, 40 9th grade) in 2020

• BGA’s charter required BGA to

enroll over 50% at-risk students. BPS categorizes at least 85% of BGA current students as at-risk.

• 90% of BGA 8th graders continue

at BGA in 9th grade

• Non-selective, state-mandated

lottery for admission

Performance

• Dropout rate (1.7%) below the

BPS average (4.2%)

• Four-year graduation rate (84%)

above BPS average (73%)

• Suspensions down 67% in two

years, using BPS CoC, Restorative Justice focus

• Attendance in top third of BPS

secondary schools

• Graduation requirements above

BPS; approaching MassCore

Our Progress

Since 2011, BGA has:

• Raised the graduation rate by 30% points
• Cut the drop-out rate by 75%
• Doubled the college acceptance rate to 90% and increased scholarships

and competitiveness

• Drastically improved MCAS scores compared to the school we ‘re-started’

In 2019, BGA has:

• Increased MCAS performance in middle grades; HS MCAS ranks among

the top third for all BPS high schools, top quarter for non-selective BPS high schools

• Greatly reduced incidents and suspensions, increased student supports,

added arts and electives, AP courses, and strong partnerships

• Continued to focus on supports for struggling students (MS, SWD, ELLs)

BGA has become one of the most successful BPS secondary schools that don’t select their students (four year graduation rates, drop out rate, extended engagement rates, MCAS scores and attendance)

DESE Probation Update

• DESE placed BGA on probation in 2014

○ There are different standards for charter schools than for regular schools; 6 of 7 conditions met

• BGA charter renewed in 2016 with probation conditions

○ Action plan developed and implemented ○ Academic progress partially met; all other conditions met

• Probation extended in 2020

○ Commissioner acknowledged academic improvement ○ All other previous issues addressed and rectified ○ One condition: continued academic improvement

• Charter renewal in 2021; Probation to be reviewed

Our Work Ahead

• Supporting students and families during

and post-COVID emergency

• Increasing MCAS proficiency- especially

Middle Grades, Latinos/ELLs

• Increasing advanced opportunities and
• utcomes for students (AP, SAT/ACT)
• Shifting more students from 5- to 4-year

graduation

• Raising state percentile rank

Request of School Committee

We request School Committee approval of BGA’s Application for Charter Renewal

• Our third five-year charter (2021-2026)
• 50+ page application aligned to DESE standards
• Approved by the BGA Board of Trustees
• Currently being reviewed for approval by Boston

Teachers Union

• Application due July 31, 2020
• Decision by DESE in January, 2021

Equity Impact Statement

• BGA’s charter renewal application is required to be approved by the

Boston School Committee prior to submission to the DESE Commissioner for approval.

• BGA was designed, created and operated with an equity lens.

BGA’s enrollment, program and outcomes all reflect a commitment to equitable education and advance equity within the district. An Equity Impact Statement has been provided to the School Committee.

• Expenses and funding for BGA are contained within the BPS

annual budget and operate within the established budget allocation. There are no additional costs associated with the approval of this charter renewal application.

2019 MCAS Performance BGA High School vs. BPS

2019 MCAS Performance BGA Middle School vs. BPS

2019 BGA DESE Accountability Percentiles