Issuu

IMPACT REPORT

SCHOOL OVERVIEW

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

Chattanooga Preparatory School is an all-boys public charter school located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We believe that our students have

THE NEXT GENERATION On behalf of Prep Public Schools, I express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous

3. Community Engagement:

support and unwavering commitment to our mission of providing a transformative

•

education to the young men in our communities.

men of Chattanooga deserve greater opportunity and choice. In August 2022, Chattanooga Prep launched its fifth school year with 367 young men in grades 6 through 10, and we will continue to add a grade each year until

Your partnership has enabled us to strengthen our ties with the local community and foster meaningful collaborations.

• As we reflect on the past year, we are delighted to present the Prep Public Schools Annual Impact Report, which serves as a testament to your contributions’ profound

gifts and talents that have been underserved and the families and young

Together, we have facilitated internships, mentorship programs, and servicelearning opportunities that connect our scholars to real-world experiences.

•

Your dedication to Prep Public Schools has allowed us to create a positive ripple

and lasting impact. Your belief in our vision has empowered us to create an

effect, impacting our scholars and the community of Chattanooga and soon-to-

environment where scholars can thrive academically, personally, and socially.

be Knoxville.

1. Academic Excellence:

4. Ensuring Accessible Education:

•

Your support has enabled us to maintain rigorous academic standards, resulting

Thanks to your generosity, all our scholars receive an exceptional education,

in exceptional scholarly achievements.

ensuring that a high-quality education remains accessible to all, regardless of

We are proud to report that Chattanooga Prep continues to exceed state

their economic background.

benchmarks and national averages, thanks to the resources and opportunities made possible by your generosity. We look forward to doing the same once

•

we reach full enrollment of 550 students in grades 6-12.

MISSION Chattanooga Prep engages young men in a rigorous, yet supportive, learning environment that nurtures resilience, promotes academic excellence, inspires leadership, and prepares critical thinkers.

PURPOSE

VISION

The purpose of Chattanooga Prep is to change the lives of young men who potentially face multiple challenges through the attainment of academic success.

To inspire and empower young men to achieve academically and participate in a collaborative learning community that will establish a trajectory for lifelong learning and success.

Your support has made a significant difference in the lives of numerous scholars, opening doors of opportunity that would otherwise have been closed to them.

Knox Prep opens in August of 2024. •

Your contributions have allowed us to invest in cutting-edge educational tools,

We are profoundly grateful for your ongoing belief in our mission and for the trust you

programs, and highly qualified educators, ensuring our scholars receive a top-

have placed in us. Your continued support has empowered us to create transformative

notch education.

educational experiences and helped shape countless young minds’ futures.

2. Holistic Student Development:

Enclosed with this letter is the Prep Public Schools Annual Impact Report, which

•

Your commitment to our public charter school network has allowed us to

provides a detailed overview of the significant achievements and milestones made

cultivate an environment that nurtures the whole child.

possible by your invaluable contributions. We hope it serves as a testament to the

Through your contributions, we have provided enriching extracurricular activities,

life-changing impact your support has had on our students and the community.

•

sports programs, and clubs, empowering our scholars to explore their passions •

and develop essential life skills.

Once again, thank you for your unwavering commitment to our organization. We are

The impact of your support is evident in our scholars’ confidence, leadership

honored to have you as a partner in our journey toward educational excellence both

abilities, and resilience.

in Chattanooga and Knoxville, and we look forward to continuing our shared mission of empowering the next generation of leaders.

BRAD SCOTT CEO | PREP PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDERS

WE ARE THANKFUL At Chattanooga Prep, the 2022-23 school year may have been our biggest and best yet. Not only did we soar academically – Chatt Prep was awarded Level 5 status by the state, its highest ranking for academic growth – we are deepening our relationships and continuing to expand what it means to be a PREP scholar. •

This summer, four Prepsters attended a pre-college program at Brown University.

•

Every PREP scholar toured colleges across the Southeast. For most of our scholars, it was the first time they’d stepped foot on a college campus.

•

Our chess team competed in a national tournament in Washington, DC.

•

Only in its second year, our sophomore-led basketball team reached the final four in the state tournament in Murfreesboro.

•

Our Knoxville charter school gained formal approval to open in 2024-25.

•

We officially formed a parent organization over Chattanooga and Knoxville Prep schools. Known as PREP Public Schools, this group will give us the potential to create additional charter schools in the future.

These are only a few highlights; it is impossible to name all the moments of joy, insight, creativity and maturity that occur each day within Chatt Prep. We are a community of relationships, from staff to teachers, parents to mentors and supporters, all of whom converge together in this most important work of education and transformation. Boys who began in sixth grade are now two years from graduating. They are closer to manhood than childhood. And boys who enroll as sixth graders do so as part of an established community. They enter into the emerging legacy known as Chatt Prep. No longer is our school new. No longer is our school unproven. We are leaders – tried, tested and true – committed to doing work in this region that’s groundbreaking and history-making. Like we always say: this is because of you. As we continue to grow and transform, your support remains vital. We are thankful beyond words. With love and gratitude,

TED & KELLY ALLING Co-Founders

“

It is our sincere belief that the talents and gifts of our current and future students have been underserved – the families and young men of Chattanooga deserve greater opportunity and choice. We hope you will join us in building the men of tomorrow and transforming the educational landscape of Chattanooga.

367

STUDENT POPULATION

EMPLOYEE DEMOGRAPHICS AFRICAN AMERICAN/BLACK 39%

RATE OF ATTENDANCE

98%

HISPANIC/LATINO

CAUCASIAN/WHITE

52%

TWO OR MORE RACES

44% NUMBER OF MALE TEACHERS

65% LOW INCOME FAMILIES

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS

20:1

STUDENT/TEACHER RATIO

21M TOTAL WORDS READ

56% NUMBER OF FEMALE TEACHERS

AFRICAN AMERICAN/BLACK 57% HISPANIC/LATINO

35%

CAUCASIAN/WHITE

TWO OR MORE RACES

HS STUDENTS TAKING AP EXAMS

100%

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

OUR COLLECTIVE IMPACT TEACHER OF THE YEAR, JILLIAN SUTTON

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

The dress rehearsal serves as a comprehensive run-through of the performance, allowing participants to practice and refine their roles, timing, and stage presence. It is a simulated version of the real performance, following the planned sequence of events. By conducting a dress rehearsal, the organizers ensure that everyone involved is well-prepared and that the performance will run smoothly and be well-executed on the actual day. Throughout the year, our organization has undertaken a range of purposeful initiatives, each aimed at driving positive change and addressing key academic challenges. These initiatives include: •

2022-2023 FACULTY & STAFF

•

Partnership with Lavinia for middle school math and ELA: Our collaboration with Lavinia has been instrumental in helping young men make significant progress in reading and math. By partnering with Lavinia, we have been able to enhance our impact and address complex challenges more effectively. Participation in the ACES Tournament: Our involvement in the ACES Tournament provided an opportunity for gifted scholars to showcase their unique projects to other scholars across the state of Tennessee. This experience pushed every young man to reach their full potential and fostered a culture of excellence. Increased funding and support: We are grateful for the increased funding and support received from donors, sponsors, and stakeholders who recognize the value and effectiveness of our teachers’ work. This support has provided us with the necessary resources to scale our initiatives and make an even greater difference in the lives of our students. Additionally, we are proud to announce that we have successfully promoted a third class of young men from middle school to high school. This milestone reflects the progress and growth of our organization in nurturing and preparing these students for their future endeavors..

These initiatives, along with many others, have been incorporated into our dress rehearsal. We understand that in just one year, our inaugural class of scholars will walk across the stage. We are investing all our time and resources into developing these men of tomorrow. This IMPACT Report is a testament to the hard work, passion, and resilience of each member of our team. It showcases the collective impact of our combined efforts and serves as a source of inspiration for future endeavors. As we continue to strive for greatness, let us build upon these accomplishments and embark on new ventures with renewed determination. Together, we will continue investing in the success of our scholars and creating a positive and transformative impact in their lives and the community as a whole. Warm Regards,

DIAMOND KELLEY PRINCIPAL | CHATTANOOGA PREPARATORY SCHOOL

MESSAGE FROM OUR CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER

HIGH LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT It is an honor to share with you the significant progress and milestones achieved

A noteworthy achievement from the past year was the successful administration

by our organization this past year. Our scholars and teachers, with the relentless

of the ACT exam to our sophomores. This early exposure to college-level

support from all staff and stakeholders, have reached new heights in academic

assessments not only helps our scholars become familiar with the demands of

success, firmly establishing our place as a TVAAS Level 5 school. This level of

these exams but also strengthens their college readiness. Alongside our ‘AP For

achievement is not merely a benchmark, but a testament to our commitment to

All’ program, this exposure to rigorous collegiate-level exams will empower our

set the highest standards of educational excellence as we prepare students for

students to achieve and surpass their academic goals.

going to and through college. Beyond the classroom, our scholars had the privilege of visiting esteemed One of the critical factors contributing to this success has been our enduring

post-secondary institutions such as the University of Tennessee at Knoxville,

partnership with our curriculum partner, Lavinia. Our collaboration with Lavinia

Morehouse College, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Brown University. These

has been instrumental in enhancing our academic programs, equipping our

visits provided our students with interactive sessions with faculty members, the

scholars with the latest resources, and connecting their studies to real-world

opportunity to observe real-time classroom settings, and the chance to converse

applications. Our joint effort to emphasize academic proficiency has been a

with current students. These experiences offered our scholars a deeper, first-

cornerstone of our strategic approach, and this focus has been validated by the

hand understanding of university life and ignited their ambition, providing clear

remarkable growth of our scholars on the TNReady exams. Each step of progress

and tangible goals for the academic journeys.

2022-2023 TVAAS

LEVEL

on these state exams is a testament to the hard work of our teachers, the resilience of our scholars, and the effectiveness of our rigorous and challenging curriculum.

The progress we have made in the past year reflects our collective efforts to foster an enriching academic environment that not only promotes mastery but

What’s even more remarkable is that our proficiency growth rates are not just

also builds character and instills a growth mindset in our scholars. As we turn

impressive on their own, but they are outpacing 1-year and 2-year proficiency

the page to a new year, PREP Public Schools stands firm in its commitment to

growth rates in Knox County, Hamilton County, and the state of Tennessee.

sending 100% of scholars to and through college. Our commitment to excellence

Our scholars’ exceptional performance sets them apart and reinforces our

is unwavering, and we eagerly anticipate another year of exceptional growth. In

commitment to educational excellence.

this forward momentum, we continually count on your invaluable support as we strive to shape the leaders of tomorrow and continue to prove that all students,

Another highlight of this year is that we had a drastic increase in students passing

regardless of their zip code or socio-economic status, can achieve at the highest

the AP Human Geography and AP Spanish Language exams. This achievement

levels.

speaks to the dedication of our teachers and the hard work of our scholars in mastering these challenging courses. It is a testament to our commitment to

Onward and upward,

providing advanced educational opportunities that prepare our students for the demands of college and beyond, but that have also been proven to increase high school and college graduation rates.

JUAN AGUINAGA CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER | PREP PUBLIC SCHOOLS

COLLEGE FOR ALL TO AND THROUGH COLLEGE While our efforts to promote the importance of attending college begins with with rigorous coursework and constant conversation about post-secondary education, it is our supplemental effort of providing school-sponsored college visits that ignite the fire in our scholars. Each year, we travel to college campuses, near and far, to provide students with the opportunity to talk to professors, learn about admissions requirements, and experience campus life. In addition to campus visits, we encourage scholars to participate in summer experiential learning programs hosted by colleges such as Brown University and Tennessee Technical University.

Brown University Summer Scholars Emmanuel Garcia, Theo Pedro Oroco, Colin Richardson, Akeem Brit

It is our hope that a collection of positive and meaningful campus experiences coupled with our at-school efforts will showcase the importance of attending and completing college.

AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES

CHAMPIONS OF AFTERSCHOOL A robust afterschool program has become a staple of a PREP Public School education. Each day after the final school bell rings, our scholars are provided with opportunities to further develop their character, supplement academic instruction, gain career knowledge, and tap into their creative side.

Counseling Services

In the state of Tennessee, 17% of students participate in afterschool programs.* At Chattanooga Prep, approximately 87% of our scholars engage in our afterschool activities. We truly believe that offering our students purposeful programming aids in their overall excitement of attending school each day. STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS Advanced Studies Art Club Chess Club Choir Creative Writing Drumline Piano ATHLETICS Basketball (middle & high school) Baseball (high school) Cross Country (middle school) Football (middle & high school) Soccer (middle & high school) Track & Field (middle & high school)

* Data from tnafterschool.org

APRIL 2023

KNOXVILLE KNOXVILLE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

BUILDING UPON SUCCESS

RECEIVED APPROVED CHARTER APPLICATION FROM KNOX COUNTY SCHOOLS

OCTOBER 2022

JANUARY 2023

KNOXVILLE PARTNERS VISIT CHATT

HOSTED COMMUNITY PARTNERS EVENT IN KNOXVILLE

Our PREP Public Schools team has been working tirelessly to bring the same great school culture and academic rigor developed at Chattanooga Prep to families in Knoxville. With the inaugural 2024-2025 school year in clear view, we have ramped up efforts to engage with the Knoxville community, recruit students, identify school personnel and more. Establishing a strong structural foundation for Knox Prep early will pave the way for our innovative and successful school model to thrive in a new environment. Knox Prep will create a school culture of joy where boys will be educated in an active learning environment in which all scholars engage in the learning process to “learn by doing” and then reflect on the experience. Active learning stands in contrast to “traditional” modes of instruction in which scholars are passive recipients of knowledge from a teacher. Visitors to Knox Prep can expect to see students in the classroom engaged in activities centered around writing, talking, problem solving, or reflecting. Students will have the opportunity to engage intellectually, creatively, emotionally, and socially by learning to take initiative, make decisions, and be accountable for the results.

JUNE 2023

STUDENT RECRUITMENT EVENT HELD IN KNOXVILLE 17

KNOXVILLE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

SCHOOL PROFILE Knox Prep will meet the unique educational and social/emotional needs of young men who have faced a multitude of challenges in a rigorous yet supportive environment that nurtures resilience, promotes academic excellence, inspires leadership, and prepares critical thinkers. Knox Prep will be the first charter high school and only the second charter school in Knox County. Knox Prep will feature: •

Small class sizes with individualized instruction tailored to the needs of boys.

•

Rigorous academic programs & STEM curriculum. Tutors will work to move all students to proficient/advanced levels addressing individual academic needs of students. Literacy across the curriculum is a priority to improve reading levels across the school.

•

Extended days (7:45 a.m. - 4 p.m.) and summer programs. Afterschool activities will include tutoring, homework help, chess, art, guitar, choir, book club, green car club, and athletics (soccer, basketball, track, and football) aimed to keep boys ACTIVE.

•

Emphasis on the importance of college and the resources to get there. College visits begin in 6th grade in addition to college readiness programs, job shadowing, and internships.

•

Character development and leadership opportunities. Leadership and life skills development are woven throughout the curriculum to teach students resilience, persistence, and grit. Social-emotional development strategies to promote self-discipline, and resilience.

•

One-to-one mentoring program that provides every student with a mentor to guide them throughout their sevenyear educational journey.

•

Intentional design to eliminate barriers. School-operated wrap-around services (food assistance, uniform assistance, laptops, and home internet access, etc.) will help support low-income students.

STEAM LOGISTICS

PARTNER PROFILE Since we opened the doors of Chattanooga Prep in 2018, creating a community of support for our scholars has been at the forefront of our program. We knew that only providing a rigorous academic setting would not provide the generational impact we were looking to make. We needed the help of individuals and organizations to help create a more robust and holistic educational experience. Providing students with access to mentorship, connections for career shadowing, and opportunities for character development would be a gamechanger. Since 2018, Steam Logistics has been a champion for our students. From the CEO to their entry-level staff, Steam has provided Chatt Prep scholars with experiences that have already began positively shaping their futures. Through a multi-level approach, they have mentored students, both individually and in groups, and have maintained their connections from the time our now 11th grade students were young 6th grade scholars.

2022-2023

BOARD MEMBERS TED ALLING | Chair

MOISE BAPTISTE, PhD

JOE MARTIN, Ed.D.

KELLY ALLING | Vice Chair

DAVID BHATTACHARYA, M.D.

DANIEL PACK, PhD

DAVID CAINES | Treasurer

WARD DAVENPORT

DAVID RICE, M.D.

EDNA VARNER, Ed.D. | Secretary

SHEWANEE HOWARD-BAPTISTE, PhD

ARMANDO RODRIGUEZ

ASHLEY ATKINS

NATALIE JACKSON, M.Ed.

AARON WEBB, JD

WONJEN BAGLEY, LMSW

SUE ANNE WELLS, PhD

FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER Joe Martin, Ed.D.

MAILING ADDRESS PO Box 3809 Chattanooga, TN 37404

TELEPHONE 423.602.7737

EMAIL info@chattanoogaprep.com info@knoxvilleprep.org

WEBSITE chattanoogaprep.com knoxvilleprep.org