InspireNOLA Charter Schools' 2020 Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3.

Letter from the CEO

4.

Mission

5.

Timeline

6.

Our Schools

10. Inspired to Improve 12. Inspired to Lead 13. Inspired to Achieve 14. The Soul of InspireNOLA 15. Inspired to Learn 16. Inspired to Celebrate 18. Inspired to Educate 19. Inspired to Excel 20. Inspired to Serve 21. Inspired to Vote 22. On the Map 23. Financials

Be Inspired.

At InspireNOLA Charter Schools, we are dedicated to transforming and inspiring an educational movement, but our inspiration doesn’t end there.

Though 2020 was a year of unprecedented challenges, the staff and students of InspireNOLA consistently found new ways to be inspired and to inspire others.

When COVID-19 restrictions caused us to quickly shift from inperson learning to virtual learning as our city faced stay-athome orders, our staff was inspired to quickly master the challenges of virtual instruction with professionalism and grace.

Our teachers, staff, and parents worked together as a team to ensure that our students were inspired to learn and continue their educational journey to fulfilling one of the three E’s — enrollment, enlistment, employment — and become successful citizens in their community.

Despite the new classroom environment, our students were inspired to succeed. Our Class of 2020 seniors achieved a 100% graduation rate at each of our three high schools, greatly surpassing the city average of 78%.

And our students didn’t just excel academically. They were inspired to lead in our city, with several students launching initiatives in their communities, ranging from voter registration campaigns to food drives.

Our staff was also inspired to serve and volunteered at several food and meal giveaways and assisted with food drives and other community initiatives, such as adopt-a-family and decorating a community tree for Celebration in the Oaks.

As we learned in 2020, everything can change in an instant. At InspireNOLA, we strive to take those moments and turn them into inspiration. Let’s be inspired together!

JAMAR MCKNEELY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER INSPIRENOLA CHARTER SCHOOLS

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Mission I nspireNOLA Charter Schools' mission is to transform and inspire an educational movement, where everyone will fulfill one of the three E’s — enrollment, enlistment, employment — and become successful citizens in their community.

Currently, InspireNOLA’s 650 staff members serve more than 5,600 students in eight schools.

InspireNOLA is the highest performing open-admission charter management organization in New Orleans and is the only network with one Agraded school and two Bgraded schools.

Our students and staff defy the odds every day in their journey toward excellence and creating a future filled with opportunities.

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Timeline

In 2013, InspireNOLA Charter Schools was founded, which served 1,800 students at Edna Karr High School and Alice Harte Charter School.

2015 In 2015, RSD chose InspireNOLA to operate the turnaround school, Andrew H. Wilson Charter School.

2017

In 2017, Eleanor McMain High School became part of the InspireNOLA network.

Only a month later, InspireNOLA was also awarded the charter for 42 Charter School, which had been an underserved, failing school post-Katrina.

2018

Dwight D. Eisenhower joined the InspireNOLA Charter Schools network in 2018.

2019 In 2019, InspireNOLA assumed management of the historic McDonogh 35 Senior High School.

2020 In July 2020, Pierre A Capdau Charter School joined InspireNOLA Charter Schools.

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Our Schools Alice Harte

Alice M. Harte Charter School is a high-demand, high performing school that aspires to develop the next generation of leaders. Harte’s vision is to empower students, staff, parents, and the community to develop global learners with high levels of respect, responsibility, and excellence. Harte ensures academic success while forging positive relationships in a safe and respectful environment where 800 students in PreK-8th grade grow and learn together. It is a founding school of InspireNOLA.

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Dwight Eisenhower

Dwight D. Eisenhower Charter School aims at ensuring 680 students in PreK-8th grade will RISE to distinction with Respect, Integrity, Scholarship, and Excellence. In 2019, DE demonstrated the most growth of any elementary school in the Orleans Parish, achieved the highest progress percentages among all openadmission elementary schools across the city, and was named one of the Outstanding Schools in Greater New Orleans by LDOE for top percentage growth in ELA and math.

42 Charter School

42 Charter School lives its vision by being purposeful, intentional, and consistent in all of their practices and supports 450 scholars in PreK-8th grade in mastering all social and academic skills needed to be literate, transformational leaders in our learning community and beyond. They demonstrate these values through wisdom, integrity, self-respect, and excellence. 42 was named one of the Outstanding Schools in Greater New Orleans by LDOE or top percentage growth in ELA and math in 2019.

Andrew Wilson

Andrew H. Wilson Charter School is committed to providing each and every one of its 700 students in PreK-8th grade with a safe environment that allows for students to be challenged intellectually as they maximize their potential. After four years of continuous growth under InspireNOLA, Wilson is now in the top third of elementary schools in New Orleans and was recognized by the LDOE as an Outstanding School in Greater New Orleans for top percentage growth in ELA and math.

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Pierre Capdau Edna Karr Pierre A. Capdau Charter School joined the InspireNOLA network in July 2020. Capdau challenges 600 scholars in PreK-8th grade to achieve high academic success, embrace a social awareness, and strive to be well-rounded individuals. Its mission is to inspire scholars to enroll in a rigorous high school and college and then seek employment in a successful career.

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Edna Karr High school is one of the highest-performing high schools in the city, achieving an A letter grade for the fifth year in a row. This high-demand school is known for its academic excellence, award-winning band, and championship-winning athletic program. The mission of Edna Karr is to teach all of its 1100 students to be independent life-long learners and achievers in a college preparatory environment.

Eleanor McDonogh 35 McMain

Ranked in the top five openenrollment schools in New Orleans, Eleanor McMain Secondary School is known for excellence in the classroom, its leadership program, and its stellar music program, including its marching band and choir. McMain provides a safe environment, rigorous curriculum, and a meaningful learning experience for all 900 students.

McDonogh 35 Senior High School is steeped in history as the first public African American high school in the state. Its students and staff aim to reclaim the title of excellence, with the reminder it’s “A Choice; Not an Echo.”

McDonogh 35 Senior High School encourages academic excellence for all 530 students in challenging and interactive programs and is known for its stellar music program including, its marching band and choir.

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Inspired to Improve

The more than $5 million FEMAfunded restoration project for Eleanor McMain was completed in 2020, resulting in a new façade and windows, as well as lobby and classroom renovations. Also in 2020, Orleans Parish School Board approved renovation of the historic McMain High School Auditorium.

Scan this QR Code to read an article from the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans on the restoration.

Photos by Graham Hill & Liz Jurey

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Edna Karr relocated to its new home at 4400 General Meyer Avenue just in time for a return to in-person instruction this fall. The threestory, 153,000-square-foot building has 52 classrooms, four special education classrooms, four music/performing arts classrooms, four career and technology classrooms, two visual arts classrooms, two gyms, an astroturf football and soccer field complete with a track and the capacity to house 1,200 students.

Scan this QR Code to view an aerial drone shot of the new Campus!

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Inspired toLead STUDENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAM GIVES SCHOLARS A VOICE

At InspireNOLA, we believe in preparing students to become great leaders. As part of the InspireNOLA Student Ambassador program, nearly 70 scholars from all InspireNOLA schools come together to advocate for their peers while building leadership skills and fostering new relationships.

"Being a student ambassador means that it’s my job to inspire others and make sure that they believe they can do the impossible,” said McDonogh 35 student Lace Legard.

“Our students are our number one priority, and it’s important for them to understand that they do have power. They can transform their lives and start a revolution in their schools and their community,” InspireNOLA CEO Jamar McKneely said. “It’s our job to help them develop ways to use their skills as leaders, advocates, and change agents for our city.”

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Inspired to Achieve ELA

75

MATH

75

71%

57% 56%

50

54%

56%

59% 50

47% 47%

46%

44%

25

25

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2019 ELA Progress

Top Top

2019 Math Progress Growth

Most Growth %

of Open Enrollment Elementary Schools in New Orleans

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In sp ire N O LA

Alice Harte, Dwight Eisenhower, Andrew Wilson, and 42 Charter School had a combined average of 65 percent of students demonstrating top progress in math, far exceeding the state average of 44 percent.

While the state average for ELA progress was 47 percent, InspireNOLA elementary schools showed 57 percent demonstrating top growth.

65% 66%

among Elementary Schools in New Orleans

point SPS score increase in 2018-2019

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The Soul of

InspireNOLA

"The Soul of InspireNOLA" is a collection of portraits and stories that showcases InspireNOLA’s greatest asset: our educators.

Lorenzo Lafargue

Student Leadership Teacher Eleanor McMain Secondary School

"I cannot picture myself doing anything else and it has exceeded my expectations. I wake up every morning excited, knowing it will be something new that keeps me engaged and wanting to connect with my students.

The element of having different exceptionalities keeps me excited as well because it is important and carries a lot of significance."

"It’s been very rewarding being an educator. You don’t always see the return on your investment right then and there, but 10 years later when that person walks up to you and says, ‘do you remember me? I want to thank you.’Or, when you see a parent, and they say, ‘you made a difference in the life of my child.’

That’s when the reward comes."

Danilelle Belmont

Special Education Teacher Andrew Wilson Charter School

Shellisa Moore

Art and Humanities/Dance Teacher Dwight Eisenhower Charter School

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"The love that I have for dance and the excitement children get when they find out that they have a dance class is amazing. I noticed I was making an impact on my students when I would walk into my class and students are already engaged in stretching, getting the music ready and asking how many dances are we performing this fall or in the spring showcase."

Inspired to

Learn

In a truly unprecedented year, InspireNOLA students faced obstacles with tenacity and determination. Against many odds, InspireNOLA students returned to in-person learning in September 2020. Students were welcomed back by the smiling faces of educators who had not seen their students in many months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Imspired to

Celebrate

Though postponed a few weeks, InspireNOLA Charter Schools seniors of Edna Karr High School, Eleanor McMain Secondary School, and McDonogh 35 Senior High School still had the opportunity to participate in one of the biggest milestones of high school: to walk across the stage at graduation and receive a diploma. Multiple in-person graduation ceremonies for each school were held at the Pontchartrain Convention and Civic Center on July 1 and 2.

560 100% 476 $6,748,188 SENIORS

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GRADUATION RATE

COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES

IN SCHOLARSHIPS

The Class of 2020 began their school career faced with Hurricane Katrina and ended it amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Their pathway to graduation has been unlike any other class before them. To honor their endurance and success during what would have been their graduation week, InspireNOLA held a Senior Salute car parade and celebration for each of its graduating classes in May at their respective schools.

InspireNOLA eighth graders were honored during drive-up celebrations in May. Students and their families drove past their elementary school - in decorated cars- one last time before beginning their high school career.

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InspireNOLA was honored to throw a surprise celebration for two major milestones for a staff member and legendary New Orleans educator, Ms. Sylvia Crier. Not only did Ms. Crier turn 80 in 2020, but she also completed her 55th year teaching and started her 56th!

Crier, who said she was overwhelmed by the show of love and support, holds the title of being the oldest and longest-teaching educator in the city.

“I started this journey in 1964 and I’ve been traveling ever since,” she said. “I thank God every day for helping me run this race. I haven’t gotten to the end yet.”

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Each year InspireNOLA recognizes exemplary educators in its network. Nominated by their peers and administrators for their inspiration, aspiration, and dedication throughout this school year, the winners of the 2020 InspireNOLA Teacher and Staff Member of the Year Awards are: Jennifer DeGruy (Harte): PreK-5th Grade Teacher of the Year Latoyia Cain-Evans (Wilson): 6th-8th Grade Teacher of the Year Nia Smith (McMain): Support Staff Member of the Year Corisma Barnes (Karr): 9th-12th Grade Teacher of the Year Ashley Antoine (42 Charter): Overall Teacher of the Year

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Throughout the year, InspireNOLA continued to give back to its community. Due to the added need for support to our families during the pandemic, InspireNOLA hosted several drive-through turkey and ham giveaways, a holiday toy giveaway, and much more.

“We recognize the need not just in our schools, but in our community, which has been made greater by the pandemic, and we believe it is our responsibility to help,” said Jamar McKneely, InspireNOLA Chief Executive Officer.

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Inspired to

Serve

Inspired to

Vote

A group of 20 students selected from public and private high schools in New Orleans, including 11 from InspireNOLA Charter Schools, formed Youth Educating and Advocating for Voting (YEAV) in the Summer of 2020. YEAV then launched Project Vote & Live, a citywide initiative to inspire and mobilize their peers to vote, engaging young voters across the city through a series of student-organized events that led up to the national elections on November 3.

“It’s important for young adults to vote because we are the future and if we want our future to be better, we must use our voice in the best way we can,” said Denim Williams, a senior at Karr.

Leading by example, the InspireNOLA staff emphasized the importance of civic duty by posting pledge to vote cards in their schools pre-election and then adding their voting selfie to an “InspireNOLA Votes” poster to document early voting.

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On the map..

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INSPIRENOLA

Financials

In the 2019-20 school year, InspireNOLA spent:

$3,281

$10,280

PER ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER PER STUDENT* ON EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

$489 $333

PER SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENT

PER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ON

CAREER AND PER STUDENT* ON TECHNICAL ATHLETICS EDUCATION

$25,000

$373,600 ON NURSING & HEALTH

SERVICES

ON AFTERSCHOOL

PROGRAMMING

ON SUMMER SCHOOL

*Numbers are based on InspireNOLA's 5,200 student population during the 2019-2020 school year.

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InspireNOLA Charter Schools 2401 Westbend Parkway | Suite 4040 New Orleans, LA 70114

@InspireNOLA