Presentation to the Boston School Committee March 27, 2019
Who We Are ● A Horace Mann “in-district” Charter School and part of the Boston Public Schools located in Brighton; serving 463 students in grades 6-12 from every Boston neighborhood ● Boston’s only school focused on sustainability and preparing the next generation of leaders for success in college and green careers ● 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; One of the most improved schools in the BPS since 2011 ● Newly approved Ch. 74 CTE pathway for Environmental Science; Winner of the 2019 Massachusetts Green Ribbon Schools Award
Who We Serve BGA BPS Mass. Students of Color 91.0% 85.4% 41.0% Students with 30.5% 20.3% 18.1% Disabilities English Language 15.5% 32.1% 10.5% Learners High Needs 80.3% 76.2% 47.6% Students Economically 60.9% 56.5% 31.2% Disadvantaged
Our Progress Enrollment Performance ● 639 applications for 100 seats ● Dropout rate (3%) below the (60 6th grade, 30 9th grade) in BPS average (5.4%) 2019; 500 additional selections on BPS choice form ● Five-year graduation rate (82.1%) above BPS average ● BGA’s charter required BGA to (78.6%) enroll over 50% at-risk students. BPS categorizes at least 85% of ● Suspensions down 67% in BGA current students as at-risk. two years ● 90% of BGA 8th graders continue ● Attendance in top third of at BGA in 9th grade BPS secondary schools ● Non-selective, state-mandated ● Graduation requirements lottery for admission above BPS
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 2018, BGA has: ● Increased MCAS performance in middle grades; HS MCAS ranks among the top half for all BPS high schools, top quarter for non-selective BPS high schools ● Increased Webb’s Depth of Knowledge (DOK) in classes and students course performance (grades) BGA has become one of the most successful BPS secondary schools that don’t select their students (five year graduation rates, drop out rate, extended engagement rates, MCAS scores and attendance)
DESE Probation Update ● DESE placed BGA on probation in 2014; 6 of 7 conditions met; academic progress partially met ● BGA charter renewed in 2016 with conditions ○ Action plan developed and implemented; 4 of 5 conditions currently met ○ Progress on MCAS required by 2019; progress made in each of last two years ○ Expecting DESE site visit in Fall 2019 and probation decision in early 2020 ○ BGA up for renewal in 2021
Requests of School Committee We request approval of three charter amendments: ● Memorandum of Understanding (MOU-A) between BPS and BGA (2016-2021) ○ Updates language in key areas of partnership (finance, enrollment, facilities, etc.); no major changes ○ Old MOU has been in effect until new one approved ● Enrollment Policy ○ Adds Ch. 74 CTE program and newly required language by DESE ● Accountability Plan (2016-2021) ○ Required by DESE; outlines non-MCAS ways to measure fulfillment of our mission and charter
Equity Impact Statement ● BGA charter amendments are 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 lense. BGA’s enrollment, program and outcomes all reflect a commitment to equitable education and advance equity within the district ● 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 these three proposed charter amendments.
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