The Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education 2012-2013 Report to Our Community
CHAIN REACTIOn
POWERING STUDENT POTENTIAL As an open enrollment, STEM-focused public high school, Sci High offers students from across the city a special environment to grow, explore and prepare for promising futures. Sci High was founded on the belief that all students deserve the opportunity to achieve at high levels. The Foundation for Science and Mathematics covers the gap between the public funding available through the Orleans Parish School Board and the budget needed to create a highimpact, high-value environment for our city’s most promising—and often most challenged—children.
Many of our students face homelessness, hunger, violence, family difficulties and more. They often enter Sci High full of hope, but several grade levels behind. Donor support allows us to embrace each student and provide the personal attention to the academic and character growth required to reach high achievement. Funding and partnerships are critical to fuel the chain reaction that drives student success. The Foundation and our supporters see the potential in Sci High, in our students, and in New Orleans. We give thanks for your support.
WATCH THESE VIDEOS! Each of the images below links to a video that shares more of the Sci High story, and how your support furthers our students’s success.
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Pro-bono writing and design by Karen E. Buck in partnership with the Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education
STEM FOCUSED, STUDENT CENTERED The New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School, “Sci High,� is an open-admissions public charter school that prepares students for college and successful careers. Sci High provides a rigorous curriculum with particular opportunities and emphasis in life sciences, physical sciences, technology and mathematics, in a supportive environment of learning and respect.
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5 THINGS YOU MAKE POSSIBLE 1
You help us remain committed to access and open enrollment as linchpins in Sci High’s mission. All students can grow and thrive when presented with the opportunity.
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You provide the introductions, networks and funding for staff needed for the social and after-school services that support students in achievement despite their challenges.
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You support the extensive tutoring program that brings neighborhood university students and others in to work one-on-one with students to increase their mastery.
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You helped us equip laboratories for biology, environmental science and chemistry. Students explore concepts and hypotheses in weekly lab experiences.
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You make paid professional internship experiences available for every student. Sci High scholars gain STEM career insight in labs, fieldwork and more in New Orleans and beyond.
DO THE MATH Creating a high-challenge, high-support environment takes added resources and commitment. Your donation allows Sci High to provide the extras that build our children’s confidence and results. 3
CREATING VISIONS, CRAFTING FUTURES Sci High is dedicated to individual excellence for each student. Our curriculum focuses solidly on college prep, and our robust counseling program helps each student identify potentials, possibilities and pathways for personal success. From course selection to ACT prep to education and mentoring on the college application process, Sci High keeps students focused on their futures.
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OUR RESULTS: AT A GLAN
70%
of students Graduate with more than 4 credits in Math AND/ oR SCIENCE COURSEWORK
395 STUDENTS ENROLLED in THE FALL OF 2013 — AN ALL-TIME HIGH NUMBER Student Population 48% male, 52% female 82% eligible for free- or reduced-price lunch 80% African-American 14% receive special education services 7.5% homeless
137 SCHOLARS
TOOK college-level, OPEN-ENROLLMENT Advanced placement (AP) COURSES > LEARN MORE FROM THE LA DEPT OF EDUCATION EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Basketball, flag football, softball, martial arts, Youth Creative Design Agency, debate, improv/theater, robotics, rock/hip hop band, cooking, newspaper, Interact Service club, Beautiful Foundation, anime, venture camping crew, health ambassadors, volleyball, baseball, track and field, and data-driven tutoring program
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NCE
STEM COURSES OFFERED
36 IntERNS EXPLORED INTERESTS, GAINED EXPERIENCE & BUILT RESUMES
SCI HIGH
$340k
IN TOTAL FOUNDATION SUPPORT
>50%
OF SCI HIGH DIPLOMAS INCLUDE AdVANCED PLACEMENT CARNEGIE UNIT CREDITS
Algebra I Algebra II Geometry Math Essentials College Prep Algebra Pre-Calculus AP Calculus AB AP Probability & Statistics Astronomy Biology Chemistry Environmental Science Physics I, II Anatomy & Physiology AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Environmental Science IC3 Certification Microsoft Academy + 5 additional AP courses offered in English, government and history 6
EACH SCHOLAR HAS A STORY Brenna graduated in May as the valedictorian of the Class of 2013. Her accomplishment is particularly noteworthy when you learn that at age 10 she lost her mother to suicide and then her sister to a drug overdose just last year. In her words: “When I was a junior in high school, I decided to join the Sci High family, because I craved a rigorous art and academic curriculum. Before Sci High, I had never chosen my own classes or taken an Advanced Placement class.
“When I reminisce about Sci High, and what it means to me, I think of the words freedom and opportunity. We had the freedom to take five AP courses in one year, which some students actually do, or to get ahead in the local work force. This is the beauty of Sci High. What you believe, you can make happen.” Brenna postponed the full scholarship she earned to Dartmouth College by one year so she could volunteer in New Orleans at Sci High and other places and be a regular presence in her young niece’s life.
AFTER SCI HIGH: CLASS OF 2013 Our graduating seniors are enjoying first-year college studies at a wide range of institutions, from Brandeis University to the Savannah College of Art and Design, from Bard College to Tulane University. A record number enrolled at LSU. 7
Photos by Kathleen Flynn, Nola.com | The Times-Picayune
“EVERY STUDENT WALKING THESE HALLS GETS THE FULL SUPPORT OF TEACHERS & FACULTY TO MAKE THEIR DREAMS HAPPEN.”
Brenna Gourgeot, Valedictorian, Class of 2013 > Click here to watch a video of Brenna’s story 82
THE COMPLETE EXPERIE
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ENCE
SCI HIGH IS WELL ROUNDED Top row, from left to right: Each year, students research and share information at the annual College Fair; college visits are a key aspect of preparing students for successful applications; ninth grade students bond at Transition Camp; a Robotics Team student shows off her work at the BEST Competition Bottom row, from left to right: Students gather in solidarity to express hope for peaceful ends to conflict; a visit to the University of New Orleans School of Engineering includes some downand-dirty fun; faculty and students form close relationships that pay off in student progress; the venture club seeks out new perspectives on a City Park canoe trip 10
CHARTING A PATH FOR PROGRESS While we celebrate the accomplishments of our students and staff, we also have a clear plan for continued development so that more students can access an even stronger Sci High. Some key goals for the future: I ncrease the availability of after-school programming so that students in need of support or who desire specific activities will consider Sci High row participation in tutoring programs for ACT classes G and End of Class exam prep nlarge internship program with a target of every E Sci High student completing at least one STEM-related internship ugment existing academic and college counseling A programs with additional personal counseling designed to assist students with the significant challenges many face xpand our focus on sustainability, with a first goal of E reducing cafeteria waste by 50 percent. ontinue to pursue options for a technologically C innovative building for our school and new home for our students
INVEST IN PROGRESS To improve and enhance what Sci High offers to New Orleans young people, we’ll need additional partners, volunteers and funding. Your support will ensure a stronger Sci High stays part of the New Orleans landscape. 11
EVERY DAY, WE RECOMMIT TO OUR MISSION Schools around the country are being rated and measured in ever-changing ways. Our goal for Sci High is to earn an “A� Louisiana School Performance Score. But no matter what our SPS rating, we continuously seek to improve Sci High and advance the model of what an open-enrollment school can offer our community. Every day, we see and support the potential energy present in every young person. Join with us.
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WITH GRATITUDE FOR YO The Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education is a public advocate for an open-enrollment, rigorous, hands-on educational model, paired with the belief that any student can succeed in a safe and supportive environment. Eighty-seven percent of fundraising goes directly to support school needs. We thank the following friends for helping us reach our goals. $50,000-$124,999
$1,000-$4,999
21st Century Community Learning Baptist Community Ministries Keller Family Foundation Boatner Reily Family Foundation Reily Foundation Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Mary Zervigon
Mr. and Mrs. George Bernstein Nancy Bissinger Robert Brown Diana and Joseph Caverly Coach Across America/Up2Us Robert Corley Kathleen Martin and Colby Dempsey Margo and Clancy DuBos Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Epstein Elizabeth Fowler Brian Friedman Richard and Linda Friedman Susan Grafton Roland Hummel Leslie Jacobs Kay and Robert Kerrigan Janet and Jean Lapeyre Catherine Lemann Newell-Usdin Fund Roger Ogden and Ken Barnes Propeller Lynn E. Pyke Lee and Kathy Randall Chris Reade Pamela Ryan Robert and Madalyn Schenk Social Entrepreneurs of New Orleans Sodexo, Inc. Dr. Roy and Marjorie Weiner Whitney Bank Thomas Wiese, Ph.D.
$10,000-$49,999 Believe and Include Freeport McMoran Foundation German Protestant Orphan Asylum Foundation Goldring Family Foundation Institute for Mental Hygiene jk livin Foundation Keep Louisiana Beautiful Georges Lurcy Charitable and Educational Trust Pro Bono Publico Foundation RosaMary Foundation Selley Foundation Tulane University
$5,000-$9,999
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Nicholas and Amy Altiero Toni and Richard Bachmann Ellen and Mac Ball Entergy Charitable Foundation Jennifer Fallon Latter&Blum Philip and Caroline Loughlin Gustaf W. McIlhenny Family Foundation Robert Merrick Robert and Margaret Reily Fund Reily Foods Company Saint Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church Robert Sternhall, Ph.D.
$500-$999 Florence AndrĂŠ Noreen Carrocci Michael W. Courtney Celia Deininger Frances and Calvin Fayard Marcella and Gregory S. Ferris
Kathy Glazer Greater New Orleans Foundation Members Give Kirk Menard Virginia Meyer Gregory Probst Drs. Janet and David Rice Donna Ryan Sara Stone Carroll Suggs Cedric and Julie Walker Andres Zervigon
$100–$499 Mary Barnett Joan Bennett Anne Bradburn Mrs. Philip Breitmeyer John Brown Dr. and Mrs. Roderic Camp Matthew Caverly Russel Patrick Cecola Joan Coulter Michael Courtney Brad Cousins Charlotte Cunliffe Mason Curran Mr. and Mrs. Richard Davis Mr. and Mrs. William M. Detweiler Brooke Duncan Laura Fakier Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ferguson Maria Gilcrist Mr. and Mrs. Howard Green Prof. and Mrs. Paul Guth Yvette Hales The Hartford Michelle Hayes Susan Hess Harley B. Howcott
YOUR SUPPORT Dotty & Buddy Jacobs Katherine Jackson Kim and Janet Jovanovich Catherine Lemann Diana Lewis Deborah Love Barbara MacPhee Mrs. Walter F. Marcus Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Marsiglia Sarah Martzolf Pat and Lee Mason Dr. and Mrs. Charles A. McKee Myra L. Menville Sybil Morial Mr. and Mrs. David Mushatt Northwestern Mutual Sylvia and Jason Patterson Sidney Pulitzer James and Elizabeth Schnieders Poco Sloss Jacqueline L. Sullivan Mary Tunis Stern Usdin-Weil Foundation Roy Waterhouse Dr. and Mrs. James Wesner Kevin Wilkins Noel B. Williams
Susan Kantor Barbara and Ronald Knill Mary P. Logsdon Mr. and Mrs. Joel T. Mague David Marcello and Jane Johnson Skye McLeod Margaret Milling Claiborne Perrilliat Frank Peterson Mary Pitts Rontherin Ratliff Laurie Rosenberg Mark Romig Ellen Scheib Mr. & Mrs. Milton Scheueman Grant Schreiner Darcy Scoggin Catherine Simoneaux Mimi Smith Touro Foundation
UP TO $99
Florence AndrĂŠ, President Toni Van Zandt Bachmann, Vice President Mason Curran, Vice President Lisa Martin, Vice President Kristen Engeron, Treasurer Ellen Ball, Secretary George Bernstein, Ph.D. Nancy Bissinger Bob Brown Bradley Cousins Tim Dilligan Margo DuBos Margaret Epstein* Frances Fayard Elizabeth Fowler Brian Friedman Louis Glade, M.D. Julie Grantz*
Adriana Adams Richard Allison Ana Babington Michael Batterman Dr. Marc Bernard and Johnette Hassell Michael Carbo and Martha McKnight Andrea Chen Martin Drell Dr. and Mrs. Marc Friedman Deena Gerber Dr. and Mrs. Juan Gershanik Lou and Susan Good Google TRIPS Julie Grantz Julie and Seth Harris Lee U. Hays Sarah Hess Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Jones
SCHOOL DIRECTORS Claire Jecklin Chana Benenson
BOARD MEMBERS 2012-2014: FOUNDATION FOR SCIENCE & MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
Kathleen Kennedy, Pharm.D.* Kay Kerrigan Judith Kiser Sarah Martzolf Pat Mason Lourdes Moran Sylvia Patterson* Gregory J. Probst Lee W. Randall* Christopher Reade Pamela Ryan Madalyn Schenk Mary Tunis Stern Robert Sternhell, Ph.D. Carroll W. Suggs Jackie Sullivan Cedric Walker, Ph.D. Roy S. Weiner, M.D. Thomas Wiese, Ph.D. Kevin Wilkins Arnold H. Zea, Ph.D. Mary Zervigon
BOARD MEMBERS 2012-2014: Advocates for Science & Mathematics EDUCATION INC. Mary Zervigon, Chair Sybil Morial, Secretary James Schneiders, Treasurer Nicholas Altiero, Ph.D. John Brown Joseph Caverly Joan Coulter Joe Daschbach Jennifer A. Fallon Cathy Glaser Michelle Hayes Deborah Love, Esq. Holly Sharp* * 2012–13 board members
FOUNDATION STAFF Martha McKnight, Director of Advancement Michael Spara, Accountability and Communications Assistant
We have made every effort to ensure completeness and accuracy. Please contact Martha McKnight at 504.324.7045 or mmcknight@nolascienceandmath.org with any errors or omissions, so that our records and the online donor roll can be corrected.
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MAKING CONNECTIONS, The Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education is grateful to the community partners that have contributed so much to the success of our students.
BARD EARLY COLLEGE NEW ORLEANS offers juniors and seniors the opportunity to attend their half-day program in the afternoon and complete the first year of a Bard education. BEAUTIFUL FOUNDATION provides after-school experiences for teenaged girls of color to help them mature into strong and accomplished women. COACH ACROSS AMERICA is an Americorps program launched by Up2Us to provide coach/ mentors to resurrect afterschool sports programs in urban areas. 15
COWEN INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION INITIATIVES, based at Tulane University, supports Sci High through teacher development, Advanced Placement programs, college testing and other college readiness efforts. EASTBANK COLLABORATIVE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS helps insure the sustainability of the charter school movement by helping members become more effective and efficient in their operations and providing a unified voice to local, state and national agencies.
GROW DAT, which works collaboratively to produce healthy food for local residents and to inspire youth and adults to create personal, social and environmental change in their communities, hires three Sci High students a year at the farm in City Park. Students receive a stipend for participating. HISTORY MAKERS, the national oral and video archive for African American leaders and unsung heroes, sends local black men and women to public schools as speakers and advocates for education.
AMPLIFYING SUCCESS INSTITUTE OF ETHNIC & WOMEN’S STUDIES partners with the student-based health clinic to inform parents about available free treatment and promotes students’ healthy choices. j.k. livin supports afterschool fitness and wellness programs for inner-city public schools, teaching students about the mindbody connection. LEADING EDUCATORS, a leadership development program for mid-level school leaders, includes an intensive summer program, twilight sessions and visits to schools that are closing the achievement gap in New Orleans and other cities.
LSU COMMUNITY & MINORITY HEALTH EDUCATION sponsors a Sci High Science Club, provides guest speakers from health-related careers, sponsors field trips to LSU Health Sciences Center, and organizes a summer program helping to increase minority awareness and recruitment into the medical professions. Each participant receives a stipend.
NEW ORLEANS CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS allows students to pursue preprofessional training in visual, performing, and culinary arts and creative writing on a half-day basis TEACH FOR AMERICA (TFA) Twelve TFA alumni work at Sci High. The national teacher training program recruits talented college grads, offers intensive training and focuses on eliminating educational inequality.
LSU SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTER offers comprehensive physical and behavioral health services on Sci High’s campus.
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BE THE FUEL, FEED THE ENERGY We need your continued commitment to ensure that all of the children of New Orleans can access the rigor, support and enhanced high-school experience that Sci High offers. Here are a few ways you can help.
VOLUNTEER We actively seek new volunteers to serve as tutors as well as provide other pro-bono support based on academic background or professional skill sets.
CONNECT YOUR NETWORK Share the Sci High story with your friends and colleagues via personal conversation and social media. The more people who know us, the greater number of students we can serve.
SPONSOR AN INTERNSHIP Professional experiences create opportunities for students to sample careers, enhance resumes and strengthen college applications. We seek more internship locations and funding for stipends.
MAKE AN UNRESTRICTED GIFT When you donate to the Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education, we funnel your gift to address priority needs that support student achievement.
Click here to connect with or donate to the Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education, by contacting Director of Advancement Martha McKnight at (504) 324-7045 or mmcknight@nolascienceandmath.org 17
OUR STUDENTS CAN’T WAIT They need your support now to reach their potential. Help us continue the chain reaction—the explosion of positive energy when student interest, a challenging curriculum, the right experiences and a supportive environment combine—that Sci High creates.
> Click here to donate now! 18