2022 Perspectives Annual Report: Perspectives Turns 25!

Perspectives Charter Schools

The Power of Perspectives:

Our Legacy. Our Promise. Our Future.

2022 Annual Report

Our Legacy. Our Promise.

Our Future.

We are Amari and Amaya, twin students at Perspectives Leadership Campus. We are in the class of 2025. When we think of Perspectives, we think of the word: diligence.

This was a challenging year. After adapting to two years of online learning, we fully returned to in-person instruction. Getting used to being back in the classroom was difficult for many students. However, with help from our teachers, we made it through the year. We are stronger because we were able to overcome those challenges.

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Amari & A

Our school’s promise to guide Chicago students to career pathways and prepare them for life is so important. We are grateful for the dedication and commitment we see in our teachers and principals every day. They celebrate our achievements, and they encourage us to strive for more even when we experience downfalls – that’s what A Disciplined Life® (ADL) teaches us.

Our future as students looks bright thanks to Perspectives’ ADL curriculum. We learn how to persevere through personal obstacles. We have also become leaders in our classrooms. We were both quiet and reserved when we first arrived at Perspectives as middle school students; it is great to see how we have grown. No other school has ADL. At Perspectives, we are fortunate to get to know the benefits of having a growth mindset by studying ADL. The three pillars of ADL – creating positive perception of oneself, building healthy relationships, and gaining tools for productivity – are giving us the knowledge and tools we need to build solid foundations as we move forward in life, toward college, careers, and families. Perspectives encourages students to ask themselves these questions: How will you set plans for yourself? How do you set rules for yourself to help you diligently overcome challenges?

That is Perspectives and what it means to live A Disciplined Life®.

Over the last 25 years, we have grown from: 1 classroom to 5 schools 30 students to 1600+ students 10 programs to 50+ enrichment and athletic programs 12 staff members to 250+ staff members We could not have done this without our tremendous supporters: people who believe in access and equity in education and believe in the social-emotional well-being of our Chicago students.

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Happy 25th Anniversary, Perspectives Family!

Thank you for supporting Perspectives Charter Schools. We’re pleased to share this year’s Annual Report with you. For 25 years, our A Disciplined Life education model has had an incredible impact. In the 2021-2022 school year, we served over 1,600 Chicago students across our network of schools. We are grateful for how you, our supporters, continue to stand with Perspectives students. Thank you for standing for educational equity and for school choice.

ACADEMIC RIGOR

Our dedicated team successfully supported students as they strived to rebound from pandemic-related learning loss and credit deficiencies. For example, our sophomores increased their Fall 2021 PSAT scores by an average of 75 points. This was 1.5 times the growth suggested by the College Board’s annual benchmark progression. ather than let challenges define their high school experience, R graduates of the class of 2022 went on to highly selective colleges and/or are boldly pursuing their career aspirations.

Ninety-nine percent of our seniors graduated, and every single one of them was accepted to a college or university.

When compared to similar schools across the nation, Perspectives students outperformed their peers on social emotional learning metrics – including learning strategies, emotional regulation, empathy, and social awareness – proving the value and demonstrating the impact of our A Disciplined Life education model.

Supporting, guiding, and encouraging our students is what brings staff members back year after year. Last year, Perspectives students showed a level of achievement and a commitment to excellence that sparked a substantial increase in teacher retention, thus deepening the level of expertise in the classroom.

As we continue this important work, we are so thankful that you are here with us. We could not do it without you, and we need you now more than ever.

Together, we live A Disciplined Life,

Deborah Stevens

Hall Adams

Chief Executive Officer

Board Chairman

Our A Disciplined Life Model Works Panorama, the #1 social-emotional learning measurement tool in a 2021 report from Tyton Partners supported by CASEL and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, confirms that our A Disciplined Life Model works. When compared to similar schools nationwide, Perspectives’ students fall into the following percentiles for their ability to:

EXPERIENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES

Our students resumed participation in in-person experiential opportunities like athletics, afterschool, early college credit courses, and hands-on certification programs in pharmacy technician, patient care, IT, and more.

Our students’ successes from the 2021-2022 school year are inspiring, and families across Chicago have taken note!

This fall, we experienced a 10% increase in our overall enrollment and welcomed our largest class of ninth graders.

We are extraordinarily grateful to our supporters, partners, and champions. You keep us motivated. You sustain our work. You have made 25 years of service possible. Your steadfast commitment enables our students to thrive. Your generous support has created opportunities for our students, staff, and communities to learn, grow, and succeed.

As you will see in this report, Perspectives experienced an outstanding year:

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING

SCHOOL COMMUNITY

90th percentile Use strategies to manage their learning processes and exhibit grit

> [

90th percentile

Regulate and manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in difficult situations

70th percentile

Consider, understand, and empathize with the perspectives of others

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Celebrating Accomplishments Celebrating Perspectives Charter Schools’ 25th year has been a moment of pride for our entire network.

What started out as a single-classroom has grown into a family of five schools across Chicago’s South Side. Year after year, our graduates contribute to Perspectives’ legacy of excellence. Well, this year is no different. The Class of 2022 has left their mark, and we are impressed! Please take a look at the accomplishments of our Class of 2022.

1,684 students

99% of our seniors graduated

100%

• of our seniors were accepted to a college or university • of our seniors completed the FAFSA, unlocking solutions to fund their post-secondary education, if needed • of our seniors graduated with a clear post-secondary plan

Our seniors were awarded over $16,000,000 in scholarship funds, including: 3

• 51% plan to attend a

4 year college or university

• 20% plan to attend a 2 year college

• 15% plan to enter the workforce

• 9% plan to pursue a trade and/or certification

• 5% plan to join the military

1 Illinois State Scholar 1 Horizon Scholarship Recipient

attending Howard University (full-ride, totaling $100,000)

3 Lundbeck Scholarship Recipients

attending the school of their choice (totaling $15,000)

cy a g e l ’ s e v ti c e p Pers of excellence

Our graduates were accepted by highly selective universities, including: Bradley University

Miami University of Ohio

DePaul University

Michigan State University

DePauw University

Morehouse College

Drake University

North Carolina A&T University

Howard University

Purdue University

Illinois Institute of Technology

St. Xavier University

Jackson State University

Tuskegee University

Loyola University

University of Chicago

Marquette University

University of Illinois Chicago

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign University of Kansas University of Kentucky University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of Texas University of Wisconsin

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School Highlights Perspectives Middle Academy (PMA), under the dynamic leadership of Principal Jasmine Morales, introduced Sankofa Circle, a new program that celebrates achievements and encourages student engagement and community unity. The program is named after an African proverb that encourages us to reflect on the past in order to create a positive and successful future.

Teachers and staff at PMA use the Sankofa Circle to help students develop positive thinking through critical consciousness.

The circle offers students space to connect and grow their communication skills, helping them reach their goals and build healthy social-emotional learning practices. Sankofa Circle also serves as an opportunity to introduce our youngest students to college options. College exposure is also engrained in the program with advisory classrooms electing to represent a specific university.

PMA Sankofa Affirmation

s

I am strong and determined.

I believe in myself and love myself too.

There is nothing I cannot get through.

I matter.

Because I am…A PMA WARRIOR. Watch me.

ine Morale

asm Principal J

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“I feel like having this 15-minute session every [Monday and Wednesday] morning… has contributed to a lot of the success that we see here. Our students want to be a part of this unique experience that they know a lot of schools don't offer. And I'm just proud of the work that we're doing to build community and to have students feel proud of being a PMA Warrior,” said Principal Morales.

Athletic Highlights Perspectives’ student-athletes came back into the school building performing well in both their academics and in their designated conferences.

The post-pandemic return to in-person athletics was a breath of fresh air. And, so much was accomplished.

Our varsity basketball programs won their respective conferences. Participation in athletics also enables our students to build self-confidence, comradery, and academic success. Our valedictorian and salutatorian were both active in athletics all four years.

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25 years: Gala celebration Perspectives’ annual A Discipline Life® Gala celebrates our achievements and helps to raise critical funds to continue programming and resources for our students.

This year we celebrated Perspectives’ 25th year of impact! On Friday, May 6, we came together to reflect on the Power Of Perspectives. Students, alumni, staff, and supporters shared their personal success stories and achievements.

The theme for the evening was “Our Legacy. Our Promise. Our Future”. Larry Ashkin was recognized as Our Legacy honoree. Anthony Carmello received the Our Promise honor. And, we acknowledged William Heard as Our Future honoree.

A Disciplined Life Award Each year, Perspectives Charter Schools recognizes leaders in our community who exemplify what it means to live A Disciplined Life. Our distinguished award recipients are beacons of inspiration, demonstrating how the 26 Principles of A Disciplined Life can change the world.

Our Legacy: Larry Ashkin Since 1997, Larry Ashkin has been deeply involved in the charter school movement in Chicago. He served as a founding Board Member of Perspectives Charter Schools.

Larry continues to support Perspectives in his current role as Chairman Emeritus and valued advisor.

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Our Promise: Anthony J. Carmello

Anthony J. Carmello

Anthony J. Carmello has been a dedicated volunteer and a champion of Perspectives for years.

He and the amazing team at EY have shown a true commitment to our students by providing mentorship opportunities, college scholarships, conflict resolution workshops, and more.

Our Future: William Heard

William Heard is active in the philanthropic community, focusing his efforts on supporting education and youth programs. His service is an inspiration for all. In addition to Perspectives, William supports a diverse collective of local organizations creating opportunities for young people and under-resourced communities.

This year’s gala was hosted by student emcee Jeremiah and Board member DeEtta Jones.

We’re grateful for an incredible night together to celebrate a remarkable legacy of service, change, and community in the Chicagoland area.

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Community Highlights Staff Spotlight: Paulette Jordan is the Leader of Safety and Security for Perspectives Charter Schools.

Miss Jordan joined the Perspectives family in August of 2008. However, her commitment to students and passion for youth development started well before coming to Perspectives.

Early in her career, she owned and operated a daycare center – which is where she met one of our high school principals. Her journey with Perspectives began shortly thereafter.

According to Miss Jordan, the most rewarding aspects of her work are mentoring students, emphasizing the principles of A Disciplined Life, and helping students become “well-developed young adults.” She has held many roles at Perspectives. Reflecting on her time as an ADL advisor, Miss Jordan recalls a student who was seeking employment and applied ADL principles while in her interview. “The student came back, and she said to me, Miss Jordan, you told me to use those principles, and that’s how I got the job! “ Perspectives’ students and alumni view Miss Jordan as someone who always has their back and sincerely cares about their education, their safety, and their futures. Current staff member and Perspectives graduate, Clarence Boyles, shares this sentiment.

Mr. Boyles credits his success to his willingness to seek wisdom and demonstrate perseverance, two ADL principles that Miss Jordan reinforced in him. With her guidance and support, Mr. Boyles has developed the maturity he needs to perform well in his current position. He is now supporting students as Miss Jordan once supported him. Miss Jordan says, “Once Clarence joined the security team, he took on a meaningful role as a mentor. I have watched him help students transition away from street life. And, those students became leaders, graduating high in their classes, and successfully moving on to college.”

Miss Jordan’s work and legacy at Perspectives is known throughout the network. She lives by the saying, “Talent can only take you where character can keep you.”

“I feel like I have been a positive impact on students at Perspectives.

They will always remember Miss Jordan, and they will always remember the lessons I teach because I try to back up everything I say with good character.”

— Paulette Jordan 9

Alumni Spotlight: Robert Emmons, Jr. is a 2011 graduate of Perspectives High School Of Technology.

He is a college graduate, husband, father, and business owner.

Emmons attended the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, majoring in political science. Emmons is a former candidate for the United States House of Representatives. He now sits on the National Board of Directors for One Goal. He was introduced to One Goal as a member of its first cohort of students at Perspectives. Emmons serves as a consultant for nonprofits across the country. He is committed to help organizations address and solve systemic poverty, racism, and social justice issues.

His favorite principle of A Disciplined Life is: resolving conflicts peacefully. Emmons says, “Life is about resolving conflict peacefully, not just in school, not just between someone that you oppose, but also within yourself. I’m someone who has struggled with anxiety and depression. As an adult, I have had feelings of loneliness.” He reflects on this principle often and it helps him move forward and find solutions to overcome personal battles.

“LIFE IS ABOUT RESOLVING CONFLICT PEACEFULLY, NOT JUST IN SCHOOL, NOT JUST BETWEEN SOMEONE THAT YOU OPPOSE, BUT ALSO WITHIN YOURSELF.” — ROBERT EMMONS, JR.

Emmons joined the Perspectives family as a sophomore.

He continues to live A Disciplined Life after graduating from Perspectives.

He says, “ADL teaches students incredibly important values, like: communicate effectively. This is key.

Throughout my career, I’ve had to communicate effectively in order to push policy, organize people, and mobilize them around various issues. This work requires strong communication skills, skills that I learned as a student at Perspectives.”

Perspectives provides a solid foundation...guiding to future success 10

Donor Listing $250,000-$499,999 Akuna Capital LLC* Center for Education Reform David and Leslie Storch*

$100,000-$249,999 Horizon Therapeutics EY Michael and Rosalind Keiser* Anne and Stephen Bent

$25,000-$49,999 Hall^ and Julie Adams Deborah Stevens^ Lundbeck, Inc. Citi Rick^ and Molly Fezell Axion RMS Laurence ^^ and Doris Ashkin

$10,000-$24,999 DeEtta Jones^ and Associates AAR Exelon David and Amanda Mabie Aldridge Electric Inc. Baldwin Richardson Foods GCM Grosvenor Judy Wise and The Baskin Family Foundation Little Owl Foundation Fund Rita and John Canning | The Canning Foundation Slaven Family Steve and Betsy Young

$5,000-$9,999 Anonymous John Holmes and Jenni Sorenson Heard Capital LLC Andrew S. Ward^ CIBC Illinois Tech Loren^ and Diane Weil Ronald Genty Kim (Day)^^ and Peter Nicholas Michael Teich LaMarr Taylor^ and Bruna Neves Alex Aldridge Alex Ehrlich Ann Andrews Health Care Services Corporation Ikram^ and Josh Goldman John Simios Peter Ellis

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Stacia Beyl Stephen Dill The Kozyra Family Charitable Fund

Wendy DuBoe and Leon Heller William Mack^^

$2,500-$4,999

Anthony** and Regina Robinson Darren Ludwig Alex Debbink Matthew Brewer Jerry Azumah Perkins Will Conor Kelch Susan Webb Veranda Dickens Helen Powell JoAnn S Lilek Judy and Mickey Gaynor Amy and Timothy Hohulin Andy Hartman Andy Kaftan Betty and Richard Seid Brian Knudson Chris Simms Dennis and Sarah Lyons Jennifer Tannous Jessica Garascia Joe Mahoney John Gallop John Musachia^^ Michelle Kerr Michelle Simmons Nicole Robinson Peter Anastasiou Plante Moran Randy Beck Sheree Speakman^ Susie and Brendan Healey The Mack Foundation Tom Hutchinson

Donald and Julie Rocap Anthony Carmello Jud Snyder Rich Magnuson Chris Zachary Eseroghene Omene James Capo John and Julie Peterson John Schreiber Kristie Paskvan

$1,000-$2,499 Jeffrey Bilek Aren LeeKong Vanesa Scott-Thompson Terry^^ and Gina Mullen David and Nancy Napalo Mielle Organics Tom Schwarz and Jane Goldenberg Ethan Frank HBK Engineering Priya and Andy Kaftan Rudy Smith Evan Ashkin and Cheryl Baker* Shanelle Brown David and Peggy Orloff Kathryn Korn Maureen Loughnane Alexandria Glispie Ana Nunoo Mandell Crawley Marquette Chester Ryan Gleitz Sherman Wright Ashley Netzky Benjamin Rush Carl Glover Chicago Women’s Basketball Operations, LLC Collin Wallace CTS Impact Darryl Lewis John Mabie Leslie Anderson-Rutland Michael Donovan Rachel Phelps RJ and Barbara Bukovac Sean Legister Skender Construction LLC Sue Rose Talia Haynes-Gadson

$500-$999

$101-$499 Angela Chalberg-Pool Julie Hakim Adriana Medina James Tomasik Sarah Blabolil Evan Demchick Herb Jackson Marcelia Freeman Molly & David Cook Shuijing (Crystal) Zhang Sally Young Wilton Carr Jr Adam Strauss Andy Ham Brad Kelsheimer Channing Miller Chris Small John Pickens

Michael Nichols Mike Lowe Oscar Johnson Stanley Nunoo Alexander Silverberg Johanns Williams Judy Reinemann Laura N. Stern Ruby McCanne Terrell Shaw Tim Geltz William J. Cadigan David Biondi Anthony Russo Bridget Oliveto Brittany Carroll Colleen Warner ConopCo Realty and Development, Inc. Darnell Martin Edson Foster GCG Risk Management Hannah Krydynski Hon. Debra Walker Isaac Reinemann Jamie Frendewey Jerome Offord John McGaw Josh Udelhofen Judith Bradford Kim Carle Lokesh Kataria Lundbeck Michael Tatone Michele Randall Priyanka Das Rey Gonzalez Robert Bedore The James Shondel Charitable Fund Timothy Liston Tres Johnson Urszula Czarnowska Weston Flegel Daniel Stanfield Jon Powell Bradley Walker Cole Marr Nassar Omar Stephan Choe Louise Tramonte Eileen Samuels Lindsay Vaughan Roderick Beresford-Cole Gregory Schnitter Hardik Y Soni Jason Fletcher Jennifer Carlozzi Kyle Middlebrooks Michael Giordano

Nikkena Sterling Tadd Ingles Brian Lavitschke Katie Smith Susan Owen Adria Crowther Catherine Twomey Chad Lueck Daniel Womer Drew Ryan Elizabeth Bell Genna Popper Hassan Madani Ioanna Kokkino Jody Cambra John Willy Josh Sax Laura Lindboe Matt Warrick Michelle Young Ron Sampson Scott Scholtz Tammie Martin Thomas Shimizu Katherine Kurtzman Allyson Johnson Dustin Greenwell Ming Cheung Robert Guratzsch Taylor Weaver Cherese Ledet Christopher Sylvie Erika D. Patterson Kathleen Toomey Kevin Graan Kimberly Hunter Lundbeck, Inc. Maya Hardy Social Emotional Learning

$100 & BELOW Alex Tantlinger Alison Knysh Alma Vigo-Morales and Barb Kistler Amy Brimmer Amy Saddler Anthony Calabrese Ariel Berger Blair Komasinski Brian Starr Carl Bornholdt Christina Hilyard Christine Tutaj Colleen Omalley Driscoll Darin Wagner Emily Huebener Geoffrey Hyatt Gregory Anderson Heidi Minnihan Jarrett Crusor Jeannie Adamson Joanna Acosta JoEllen Helmer John Crawford Julie Gardner Kevin Murphy Kim Gillespie

Margaret Blyth Mark Tucker Mary Zura Matthew Young Megan Rafferty Michael Phillips Rasika Karnik Rustin Rethemeyer Sarah Golden Sheena Zepeda Stephanie Coan Coan Terrance Reese Brian Kirkendall Chilufya Mashambe Jonathan Dermer Zeretha Washington Ashley Freiberg Brittany Modi Christian Feaman Colleen McCaffrey Emily Hubbell George Logothetis Heather Strawn James Brown James Drummond James Stevens Jamie Kacich Jessica Johnson John Kleinrichert Jonathan Baude Katherine Karlix Kayleigh McManaman Kevin Bruce Kristen Connelly Kyle Oldham Laura Dyer Mark Molepske Martha Hadjidakis Oriane Dalmeida Reshmi Dasgupta Samantha Oppeneer Sarah Paoli Susan Freeman Sylvie Turner Tracey Schumacher Victoria Carr Edward McClure Judy Shkolnick Matt Dubin, Lundbeck N Krull Andrew Fink Angela Eimers Breanna Gordon Christina Rounds Emily Skwish Garrett Fisher Grace Dadebo Ivana Kosir Jack Werch Jamie Vertin Juanita Manriquez Kaitey Dages Kari Kantor Kellie McCabe Levi Morales Liz Luken Margaret Dugan Mia Douglas Nicole Lieb

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS! Ralph Quintana ^ = CURRENT BOARD MEMBER Samuel Cutrara ^^ = FORMER BOARD MEMBER Verena Esteve * = MULTI-YEAR GIFT Veronica Wilson Caroline Klink Nick Olivares Grace Dean Mario Gonzalez Amazon Smile Foundation Maribel Moreno

GIFTS IN KIND HuFriedyGroup

GIFTS IN HONOR Deborah Stevens^ DeEtta Jones^ Hall Adams^ Kim Waller^ Laurence Ashkin^^

Financials Fiscal Year 2022

Revenue We pour investments into our school community for services and programs that help develop successful learners.

Year after year, we invest approximately $5M to provide wrap-around services for our students throughout the day. Because of these programs, students leave Perspectives feeling empowered and ready to lead.

re

u t u f r u o n i g n investi

85% 10% 4% 1%

City & State Federal Philanthropy Other

Expenses

93% Direct Student Expenses 5% General Administration 2% Fundraising

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At Perspectives, our A Disciplined Life® education model teaches the whole child.

We combine academic rigor, social emotional learning, and experiential opportunities. This establishes a culture of trust, curiosity and achievement.

Board of Directors Hall Adams

Chairman Law Offices of Hall Adams

Loren Weil

Secretary Holland & Knight ACADEMIC RIGOR Our college prep curriculum leverages instruction and personalized learning. Students can take advantage of certification programs, career development, and early college credit.

Rick Fezell Treasurer

Dr. Angela Brooks ABR Consulting

Holly Copeland Horizon Therapeutics

Ikram Goldman ikram SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING A Disciplined Life® is our social emotional learning curriculum and set of 26 principles. This is the foundation of Perspectives. Our 26 principles teaches students to have positive self-perception, healthy relationships, and the tools for productivity.

Adrienne Irmer

Illinois Institute of Technology

Razia Hutchins FleishmanHillard

Jenni Sorenson

Lincoln Park Preschool & Kindergarten

DeEtta Jones EXPERIENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES We use the city as a classroom.

Students at Perspectives gain skills, confidence and insight from field studies, community action initiatives, and career shadowing.

DeEtta Jones & Associates

Andrew Killion Akuna Capital, LLC

Sheree T. Speakman Talent First, PBC

Deborah Stevens

Perspectives Charter Schools

LaMarr C. Taylor Goldman Sachs

Valencia Turner

PCS Parent Representative

Kim Waller

Willis Towers Watson

Andrew Ward Stout

26 Principles of A Disciplined Life At Perspectives, we study the 26 principles of A Disciplined Life®, which help all of us develop:

Positive Self Perception

Healthy Relationships

Accept only quality work from yourself Take responsibility for your actions Seek wisdom Be open-minded Think critically and be inquisitive Love who you are Demonstrate honesty and integrity Be generous Be a lifelong learner Live a healthy lifestyle

Communicate effectively Challenge each other intellectually Show gratitude Solve conflicts peacefully Respect differences Be positive and supportive Show compassion

Tools for Productivity Demonstrate a strong work ethic Use your time wisely Listen actively Be punctual and prepared Be organized Be reflective Be reliable Take initiative Demonstrate perseverance