Clarity: Alma del Mar Annual Report 2025

ANNUAL REPORT 2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS ALMA FAMILIES ............................... 2

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP ............................. 8

SCHOLAR DEMOGRAPHICS .............. 3

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT ...................... 9

ALUMNI ............................................ 5

OUR STRATEGIC PLAN ............................. 11

Friends of Alma, Clarity doesn’t always come in calm moments—it often emerges through challenge, change, and the courage to reflect. Over the past several years, Alma del Mar has faced both planned growth and unexpected disruption. Through it all, your steadfast support has helped us stay focused on what matters most: delivering a joyful, rigorous education that prepares our scholars for college and service-minded leadership.

Thanks to you, we now serve over 1,000 scholars across New Bedford. Our expansion — especially at the Frederick Douglass Campus — has allowed us to meet growing demand for our model. But growth during a global pandemic brought real challenges: academic setbacks, staffing instability, and the need to adapt quickly. Your generosity enabled us to respond with purpose — investing in leadership, curriculum, and scholar support that are now driving meaningful progress.

As we close our third charter term, we’re proud of how far we’ve come. Scholars are making academic gains, our campuses are stabilizing, and families continue to choose Alma with confidence. We’ve launched a new strategic plan focused on equity, excellence, and sustainable growth—guided by the clarity we’ve gained through experience.

We are deeply grateful for your partnership. You’ve helped us stay true to our mission through every twist and turn. As we look ahead, we’re excited to continue this journey with you — building a future where every child in New Bedford has access to the education they deserve.

In Service,

Executive Director

Board Chair

IN OUR FAMILIES’ WORDS: Alma staff always go above and beyond with all three of my children.

Communication with my child’s teacher has been invaluable.

I appreciate all

Alma creates community

the support from

— and I love that.

the entire Alma community.

The school pushes my child further than his already brilliant mind does, and I’m grateful.

They are teaching the students very well. I feel that they are making good progress in both education and behavior.

Alma is a safe place and the culture promotes learning. Students feel connected to staff, and healthy relationships are valued.

Alma keeps me informed and encourages my scholar’s love of art.

I feel the best decision my family made was to put my two children there.

•1•

CLARITY THROUGH CONNECTIONS: ALMA AND FAMILIES WORK TOGETHER

Families are more than partners at Alma — they’re essential to our scholars’ success. We believe that when the adults at home and at school work together, children thrive. That’s why Alma is deeply committed to building strong, lasting relationships with families, removing barriers to engagement, and creating space for every parent, guardian, and extended family member to be part of our school community.

This commitment is more than a belief — it’s a strategy.

Alma’s Family Engagement Team works to build community among families, scholars, and staff, helping school teams meet families where they are. The goal is simple but powerful: to ensure every scholar is surrounded by caring adults who are invested in their success.

From strong academics to meaningful relationships, Alma is creating a learning environment where families feel welcomed, scholars feel supported, and everyone is working together to help children succeed — with clarity, purpose, and heart.

And families feel the difference. In a recent survey:

94%

91%

93%

of families said they feel welcomed at Alma

of families said they feel informed about their child’s academic progress

of families said they feel empowered to be involved in their child’s education

•2•

SEEING OUR MISSION CLEARLY Alma is a clear reflection of New Bedford.

Children from across New Bedford attend Alma — not just from nearby neighborhoods, but from every corner of the city. This isn’t incidental; it’s intentional. Our student body mirrors the geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity of New Bedford because we’ve worked deliberately to make it so.

For over a decade, Alma has been a school rooted in and shaped by New Bedford.

Our Family Engagement Team has made it a priority to reach all families — regardless of income, immigration status, home language, or housing situation — ensuring that every family understands they are welcome here. That clarity of purpose has led to statewide recognition for our success in recruiting multilingual learners.

Alma families are deeply woven into the fabric of the city. They run businesses, serve in government, and lead nonprofits that strengthen our community. Their presence at Alma is not just visible — it’s vital. We are proud to clearly reflect the city we call home.

STUDENT ETHNICITY

SELECTED POPULATIONS

100 80 60 40 20 0

Black, 16%

Asian, 1%

White, 17%

Multi-Race, 5%

Latinx, 61%

First Language Not English

English Language Learner

Alma del Mar

•3•

LowIncome

New Bedford

Students With Disabilities

High Needs

Massachusetts

•4•

A CLEAR PATH TO SUCCESS This year, we proudly celebrated our largest graduating class yet — 144 eighth graders — marking this milestone alongside their families as they prepare to attend the high schools that best fit their goals and aspirations.

Beginning in 7th grade, we provide personalized guidance to up to 150 students each year, helping them navigate the high school selection process with care and precision. Since the start of our charter term, more than 500 graduates have benefited from this individualized support. As the regional education landscape evolves — including shifts like lottery-based admissions at vocational schools — we’ve strengthened key partnerships, especially with New Bedford High School, and deepened our understanding of what “best fit” truly means for each student.

While we continue to support applications to selective schools, our priority remains clear: empowering families to make informed decisions that reflect their values and long-term goals. Our commitment to a college-going culture is unwavering, and we also proudly elevate vocational pathways and celebrate alumni success in all fields.

•5•

Our scholars’ voices speak volumes about the impact of this work: “Thank you for always

“Alma has set the foundation for your dreams; now go. This is your chance to show the world what you are capable of. Take the habits, the skills, and the lessons learned here at Alma and boldly carry them forward.”

helping me and preparing me for high school and the grade above because now I feel like, now I feel like I’m ready for high school and to make a change.”

“I’m definitely excited to look back at Alma as I accomplish my dreams to become an immigration lawyer.”

•6•

At Alma, our strength is the clarity of our mission — and the people who bring it to life. Our educators do more than teach: they lead, innovate, and build lasting relationships with scholars and families.

32

Staff Members have been with Alma for over five years

What sets Alma apart isn’t technology or trends — it’s the deep commitment of talented staff who choose to grow their careers here. When educators stay, they become anchors in our community, shaping a culture of trust, consistency, and high expectations.

Their longevity brings stability, wisdom, and a shared purpose that strengthens Alma year after year.

These educators make Alma a place where scholars are known, challenged, and supported — and where families trust their children are in caring, capable hands.

•7•

17

Staff Members have been with Alma for over a decade

CLARITY THROUGH COMMITMENT: CELEBRATING STAFF LONGEVITY AND LEADERSHIP

At Alma, our teachers and staff are the driving force behind everything we do. They bring energy, care, and a deep belief in every child’s potential. One of these outstanding educators is Lourdes Adorno Gonzalez, whose joyful leadership and strong sense of purpose make a lasting difference in our school community. Her work is a powerful reflection of Alma’s values and the impact of a team that puts students first.

This spring, Latinos for Education hosted its fourth annual Latino Educators Shine Awards at the Massachusetts State House, honoring 40 Latino educators from across the Commonwealth for the difference they’re making in students’ lives.

Lourdes was among those recognized, having been nominated by Representative Christopher Hendricks for her deep commitment to helping every student succeed.

Lourdes’s recognition is a proud moment for Alma — and a clear example of our mission in action. A founding team member since 2011, she has worn many hats over the past 14 years, always focused on creating a school where every child feels seen, supported, and challenged. Today, she leads the K–2 instructional team at Alma’s Frederick Douglass campus, bringing care and clarity to everything she does.

“I feel blessed and honored to represent Alma del Mar and the work we do to foster a welcoming learning environment for our scholars, including our Latino community,” Lourdes shared. “I will continue to push our scholars to find their potential so they can excel in everything they do while attending Alma and beyond. Our scholars are our legacy.”

LOURDES ADORNO GONZALEZ, ACADEMIC DEAN

This award is more than a personal achievement — it’s a celebration of the kind of thoughtful, values-driven leadership that your support makes possible. Lourdes is one of many Alma educators helping shape a brighter future for our scholars, with heart, purpose, and pride.

•8•

CLARITY THROUGH NUMBERS:

ALMA SCHOLAR GROWTH SIGNALS A BRIGHTER FUTURE This spring, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released the latest MCAS results — and Alma scholars are showing encouraging signs of academic recovery and growth.

Across our network, 29% of Alma 3rd–8th grade scholars passed the Math state test, up from 27% in 2024, and 29% passed the ELA test, up from 25%. These modest gains mirror statewide trends, but they also reflect the resilience and determination of our scholars and educators.

More telling than proficiency rates are our scholars’ Student Growth Percentile (SGP) scores, which measure how much a student has learned over the past year compared to peers across Massachusetts. Scores between the 40th and 60th percentiles indicate moderate growth — and many Alma scholars exceeded that benchmark.

These results are a testament to the hard work of our scholars, the dedication of our educators, and the transformative impact of your support. Your generosity fuels the leadership, curriculum innovation, and individualized support that make this kind of progress possible.

OTTIWELL CAMPUS - STUDENT GROWTH PERCENTILE SCORES GRADES 4-8

STANDOUT - GRADE 5

STANDOUT - GRADE 6

57

51

68

55

64

68

ELA

Math

ELA

Math

ELA

Math

DOUGLASS CAMPUS - STUDENT GROWTH PERCENTILE SCORES GRADES 4-8

STANDOUT - GRADE 4

STANDOUT - GRADE 8

46

48

57

57

48

53

ELA

Math

ELA

Math

ELA

Math

•9•

Looking ahead, Alma is building on this momentum with targeted strategies designed to accelerate academic recovery and long-term growth. These include:

•

Early literacy coaching in grades K–2

•

Weekly math intervention cycles in grades 3–8

•

Enhanced support for multilingual learners, with a focus on oral language development

These initiatives are aligned with Alma’s Strategic Plan and reflect our commitment to ensuring every scholar has the opportunity to thrive.

MCAS 2025 RESULTS 50 40 30 20 10 0

ELA Alma del Mar

Math New Bedford

• 10 •

Mass.

CLARITY THROUGH STRATEGY Thanks to the steadfast support of our families, staff, volunteers, and donors, Alma del Mar has become the most sought-after charter school in our region — serving 1,044 scholars across two campuses, with more than 700 children on our waitlist.

Our scholars consistently outperform district averages, a reflection of the deep commitment our community shares to educational excellence.

This past year, Alma community members came together to chart our next chapter: a bold, five-year Strategic Plan designed to expand opportunity and deepen impact for children in New Bedford. This plan outlines three key investment priorities that will guide our work through 2029: •

Cohesive K–8 Instruction: Strengthening curriculum and instructional alignment across all grade levels to ensure a seamless academic experience.

•

Educator Excellence: Supporting teacher retention and growth through robust coaching and professional development.

•

Network & Role Clarity: Streamlining responsibilities and decision-making across campuses to improve efficiency and focus.

With this roadmap in place, we are ready to move forward with clarity and purpose.

By 2029, our goal is to be recognized as a leading K–8 charter network — preparing New Bedford scholars for success in high school and beyond, measured by academic achievement, character development, community demand, and the lasting impact of our graduates.

Your continued support makes this vision possible. Together, we are building a future where every scholar is known, challenged, and supported — and where Alma’s mission shines even brighter.

• 11 •

$200K GRANT POWERS ALMA’S VISION FOR MEASURABLE SCHOLAR SUCCESS Alma del Mar was awarded a generous $200,000 grant to support the launch of our new five-year Strategic Plan — a bold roadmap for transforming educational opportunity in New Bedford. This investment reflects the strength and promise of our work and the belief that every scholar deserves access to a high-quality education.

In the words of our anonymous donor:

“This grant recognizes a strategic, sustainable initiative to improve student outcomes at a school with a strong record of providing low-income students with a high-quality school option. Thank you for all that you do to support low-income students to excel to their fullest potential.”

With this support, Alma will advance key initiatives designed to drive measurable academic growth and longterm success: • Enhance academic coherence through aligned curricular resources and instructional tools • Launch a structured leadership development program for current and aspiring leaders • Provide targeted coaching to strengthen instructional support for teachers • Invest in talent development and retention, empowering educators to thrive These efforts will help improve MCAS performance, reduce chronic absenteeism, and increase mastery of essential skills — while staying true to our mission of preparing New Bedford scholars for opportunity-rich lives.

• 12 •

FINANCIALS Fiscal Year 2025

INCOME State Funding

$

20,359,896

Federal Funding

$

1,350,084

Private Funding

$

337,735

Other

$

79,679

Total

$

22,127,393

Personnel

$

13,660,326

Facilities

$

3,345,603

Other

$

4,188,160

Total

$

21,194,089

Net Income

$

933,304

Non-Operating Gain (one-time)

$

(65,122)

Net Income

$

868,182

EXPENSES

OPERATING

State Funding continues to increase due to the enrollment growth at the School’s additional campus but is offset with personnel and other expenses related to growth.

Overall, Alma del Mar had a fiscally responsible surplus that met its required debt service covenants.

• 13 •

I support Alma not only for its strong educational commitment to New Bedford youth, but also for its dedication to helping students engage deeply with their community. At a year-end presentation by the eighth graders, I was struck by how thoughtfully they explored local issues and presented potential solutions. Hearing their insights and ideas was truly inspiring and a testament to the meaningful learning happening at Alma.

PRISCILLA DITCHFIELD,

CHAIR OF THE ALMA DEL MAR FOUNDATION

• 14 •

BOARD OF TRUSTEES David Prentiss, Chair

Jean Fox

Manuela Rosa

Christopher Bator

Stephen Furtado Sr.

Maria Rosario

Alicia Cortez

Charles Holley

Jim Wallace

Gail Fortes

John Korn

Chauneen Leah Wood

Daniela Mello

ADVISORY COUNCIL ^Founding Trustee

*Former Trustee

Isabel Almeida*

Karyn Campbell^

Margo Moore

Chris Arnold*

Priscilla Ditchfield

Carolyn Nunez

Jan Baptist*

Jay Goldrick

David Prentiss^

Mary Jean Blasdale*

Ed Haddad

Mark Rasmussen^

Mel Bride*

Lucile Hicks*

Kris Tomlinson*

David Cabral^

Jim Hughes

Sandy See

Roger Cabral

Martha Kay^

Bob Unger*

John Camera

Joseph McDonough

• 15 •

OUR SUPPORTERS Every donation of every amount made a difference for our school community during the 2024-2025 school year.

We wish to recognize all of our supporters below, equally.

FAMILY FUNDS, FOUNDATIONS & CORPORATIONS Acushnet Foundation Fund, SouthCoast Community Foundation Allan & Priscilla Ditchfield Fund, SouthCoast Community Foundation Boston Foundation Box Tops for Education Bristol County Savings Bank Foundation CEC Entertainment LLC CJP Donor Advised Fund Program George H. & Jane A. Mifflin Memorial Fund Highland Street Foundation Jayne Rebelo Korn & John F Korn Fund, SouthCoast Community Foundation

Jim & Bess Hughes Fund, SouthCoast Community Foundation

INDIVIDUALS

Leonard & Hilda Kaplan Charitable Foundation

Chase & Nicole Arnold

Oscar Afre Isabel Almeida Chris & Trish Arnold Toby Baker

Move the World Foundation

Jan Baptist

Paypal Charitable Giving Fund

Sandra & Gregg Berkley

St. Aidan’s Chapel

Mary Jean & Bill Blasdale

Stevenson Family Charitable Trust

Eric Braitmayer Melissa & James Bride

The Cynthia M. Whitehead Charitable Fund

James & Ann Conway

The Ladera Foundation The Upstream Foundation Wellington Management Foundation

David & Vicki Croll Doug Crocker Matt & Dee Downey Roy Enoksen Anne Patterson & Christopher Finn Gail Fortes Will & Laura Gardner Ed & Barbara Haddad Maria & David Harrington Lucile Pillow Hicks

• 16 •

Prentiss & Polly Higgins Peter Huidekoper Martha Kay Lucy Keefe Rusty & Betsy Kellogg Robert & Diane Kramer Ted & Nancy Kurtz Sherry & Barry Leiwant Gordon Lenci Layng Martine Jr. Thomas & Elizabeth McKay David Prentiss Patrick & Ute Prevost Cynthia Redel Frank & Barbara Resnek Cecilia & Chris Ross Jamey & Laura Shachoy Robert & Bonnie Stapleton Stephen Taylor James Wallace

Family Center & Administrative Offices 777 Church Street Sarah D. Ottiwell Campus 515 Belleville Avenue 450 scholars in grades K-8 Frederick Douglass Campus 767 Church Street 594 scholars in grades K-8 www.almadelmar.org /almadelmarcharterschool @AlmaCharter