tmcf-exec-summary

Proposal Narrative School Summary Enrollment Summary

2 page limit Enrollment Plan: Complete the following table for each school proposed to open in year one. Duplicate

the table as needed. Remove any rows for grades the school will not serve.

Grade Level 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Year 1 2014 75 75 75 0 0 0 0

Year 2 2015 75 75 75 100 0 0 0

Number of Students Year 3 Year 4 2016 2017 75 75 75 75 75 75 100 100 100 100 0 100 0 0

Year 5 2018 75 75 75 100 100 100 100

Capacity 2018 75 75 75 100 100 100 100

Describe the rationale for the number of students and grade levels served in year one and the basis for the growth plan illustrated above.

TYPE YOUR RESPONSE IN THE BOX BELOW, IT WILL EXPAND AS NEEDED.

TMCF Collegiate Academy @ SUNO (the Academy) provides a learning environment for middle school and high school students that is both intimate and comprehensive, personalized and expansive. The Academy’s unique blended learning approach will make efficient use of open, college-lounge-like space on or near the Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) campus to create a community of scholars unlike any other in New Orleans.

The Academy’s is intentionally opening with grades 6-8 and then adding one high school grade per year. Educators have long pinpointed the middle school years as a time when many students begin disengaging from school, creating a need for a future-focused, college prep middle school. At the same time, the ability to accumulate significant college credit depends in large part on a way to accelerate through high school credits; beginning the process with some high school courses in middle school makes the early college scenario more possible for a larger number of students.

The Academy’s enrollment growth plan, which begins with grades 6-8, establishes school culture in the earliest grades and then builds through high school graduation. Each grade level is intentionally small to promote community spirit and maximize student support.

Recent research on small schools shows significant positive impact on graduation rates when the personalization of an intimate learning environment is coupled with a strong mission focus and careful attention to continuous program improvement through use of student performance data. 1 1

Transforming the High School Experience, MRDC Research, http://www.mdrc.org/publications/614/overview.html, January 2012.

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The Academy assumes that demand for its early college, blended learning program will be strong, particularly in the high school years. In order to accommodate all of the students that may want to attend, the Academy may seek to add a virtual component that allows additional students to work primarily from home or the SUNO campus and report to Academy once a week for teacher support, guidance counseling and interaction with peers.

The Academy’s national non-profit partner, Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), will assist with attracting students due to its deep organizational expertise in educational innovation and policy. Founded in 1987, TMCF is the only national organization to provide scholarships, programmatic and capacity building support to the 47 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and to date has awarded more than $200 million in such assistance to its students and member-schools. TMCF member-schools are a vital source of higher education for all students and more than 80% of all students enrolled in HBCUs attend TMCF member-schools.

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Executive Summary 2 page limit The Executive Summary should provide a concise summary of the following: • The mission and vision for the school(s) • The key components of the educational model, including brief explanation of how it will drive success for the expected student population • The academic outcomes the school(s) will achieve • The values, approach, and accomplishments of your school leader or leadership team, demonstrating capacity to open and manage a high quality school • Key supporters or resources that will contribute to your school’s success TYPE YOUR RESPONSE IN THE BOX BELOW, IT WILL EXPAND AS NEEDED.

This Type 1 Charter Application combines an innovative program, proven curriculum, solid finances, community support, strong leadership, an effective Governing Board, and proper accountability measures to create a school that provides an excellent choice for Orleans Parish students and families and produces positive student academic results.

1. Mission and Vision The mission of TMCF Collegiate Academy @ SUNO is to prepare a new generation of learners for college success through an innovative partnership with a historic higher education institution. The Academy will combine world‐class academics with the unique college flavor of SUNO. Located on/near the campus, the Academy will tap into SUNO’s expertise to provide students with a flexible, personalized blended learning program that gives them a head start in college. Students who graduate with a 3.0 GPA or better will qualify for a college scholarship from Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the leading support organization for the nation’s public Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The Academy envisions an innovative, inspirational, and individualized high‐ performance school for today’s learner. The Academy aims to maximize academic achievement for students who seek a cutting‐edge alternative to the traditional classroom. The program will engage families and the community to prepare students for success in college, in work, and in life. The guiding philosophy for school culture is flexibility and individualization in exchange for personal accountability in a high-expectations environment. Our vision is to transform education in the United States and beyond such that high‐ performance personalized learning is the norm rather than the exception.

2. Key Components of the Educational Model The Academy applies the latest thinking about educational technology and school design to provide each student with a personalized, flexible, data-driven path to academic success. Working in a unique college lounge-like environment, students engage with a technology-facilitated curriculum that adapts to their needs and focuses their teachers’ attention where it matters most. Small by design, the school provides each student with a flexible learning space, a mobile computer, a comprehensive curriculum and a combination of the best face‐to‐face and online teachers.

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Each student has full-time access to his or her entire curriculum and online teachers via his or her laptop or tablet to complete work at flexible times, locations, and at an individual pace. Parents also have 24x7x365 access to student performance data, thereby stimulating essential family involvement. Students who need more intensive intervention and direct instruction receive it, while students who are ready to move ahead do so. At the unique campus, students will be guided by a dedicated in-person staff that includes a Principal, a licensed Guidance Counselor, a Special Education Coordinator, an English Language Learning Coordinator, and an Administrative Assistant, as well as an instructional team including highly qualified teachers in English and Math), Success Coaches, and a Personal Trainer.

3. Academic Outcomes TMCF Collegiate Academy @ SUNO has targeted the following outcomes: • A cohort graduation rate of 81‐90%.

• Accelerated acquisition of Carnegie Units beginning in the freshman year.

• Progression of all students into post‐secondary programs with Individual Graduation Plans developed around Career Areas of Concentration.

• Accelerated progression into post‐secondary degrees beginning with successful PLAN/ACT results, dual enrollment, and completion of Advanced Placement courses.

• Over the long term, successful completion of college degrees within the generally expected time frame.

4. Leadership Team’s Capacity to Open and Manage a High Quality School •

A Governing Board of educators and business and community leaders will bring substantial education and business leadership to the group including expertise in education, school management, finance, policy, and economic development.

•

A national non-profit partner TMCF that brings deeps organizational expertise in educational innovation and policy to the Academy.

•

A respected higher education partner, SUNO, whose pedagogical expertise and roots in the community ensure that the Academy will appropriately serve students from throughout New Orleans.

•

A highly skilled Education Service Provider partner, Connections Education, with an excellent track record in supporting high-quality charter schools.

5. Key Supporters or Resources The Academy’s success requires thoughtful mitigation of the challenges it may face in launching an innovative learning model for students who might come to the experience with great ambition but under-preparation. To mitigate these challenges, the school will draw upon the resources and support of the partners– TMCF, SUNO, and Connections.

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