Executive Summary. School for Advanced Studies

Transcription

1 Miami-Dade County Public Schools Dr. Omar Monteagudo, Principal SW 104 Street T-706 Miami, FL Document Generated On September 30, 2014

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 Description of the School 2 School's Purpose 4 Notable Achievements and Areas of Improvement 5 Additional Information 7

3 Introduction Every school has its own story to tell. The context in which teaching and learning takes place influences the processes and procedures by which the school makes decisions around curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The context also impacts the way a school stays faithful to its vision. Many factors contribute to the overall narrative such as an identification of stakeholders, a description of stakeholder engagement, the trends and issues affecting the school, and the kinds of programs and services that a school implements to support student learning. <br><br> The purpose of the Executive Summary (ES) is to provide a school with an opportunity to describe in narrative form the strengths and challenges it encounters. By doing so, the public and members of the school community will have a more complete picture of how the school perceives itself and the process of self-reflection for continuous improvement. This summary is structured for the school to reflect on how it provides teaching and learning on a day to day basis. Page 1

4 Description of the School Describe the school's size, community/communities, location, and changes it has experienced in the last three years. Include demographic information about the students, staff, and community at large. What unique features and challenges are associated with the community/communities the school serves? SAS is a full time dual-enrollment high school initiated in the school year as a combined effort of Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) and Miami-Dade College (MDC). Students attending SAS complete their last two years of high school while attending MDC and in many cases simultaneously graduate with both a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree from MDC. The school, fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, is located on four campuses of MDC -- Homestead, Kendall, North, and Wolfson. For the academic year, SAS is composed of 588 students (118 at the Homestead Campus, 240 at the Kendall Campus, 113 at the North Campus, and 117 at the Wolfson Campus). The demographics are as follows: Eleventh Grade 322 (55%), Twelfth Grade 266 (45%); Female 364 (62%),Male 224 (38%); White 88 (15% as compared to 8% district mean ), Hispanic 380 (66% as compared to 66.7% district mean ), Black 89 (15% as compared to 23.5% district mean ), Asian/Native American/Multi-racial 26 (4% as compared to 1.8% district mean ). Students identified as gifted number 262 (45% as compared to 8% district mean ). All 588 SAS students are enrolled in advanced classes (100% as compared to 69.7% district mean ). The economic status of 292 students makes them eligible for free or reduced lunch (50% as compared to 60.8% district mean ). The opportunity for acceleration and enrichment attracts motivated and academically talented students who wish to advance their studies. One hundred percent (100%) of our students graduate and 100% of eligible students continue their academic studies at colleges and universities in Florida, throughout the nation, or at foreign universities. Members of the Graduating Class of 2013 were accepted at 26 of the top 50 universities in the United States. They are now attending many distinguished colleges and universities, including Cal Tech, Stanford, MIT, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Washington University at St. Louis, Rice University, Vanderbilt University, University of Notre Dame, Emory University, University of California at Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Virginia, Wake Forest University, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, New York University, University of Rochester, Case Western University, University of Miami, University of California - Santa Barbara, and the University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign. Our students will also be represented in all of the best colleges and universities in State of Florida. is a Nationally Recognized High School of Excellence ranked 6th Best High School in America in 2013 by Newsweek Magazine and top 100 Best High School in the nation by the Washington Post. The school prides itself on a family-like environment, small school setting, and focus on quality education. The small high school environment affords the opportunity for individual student tutoring, counseling, and mentoring by faculty and staff. All SAS personnel support the school's mission and feel a responsibility and concern for the care and support of all students. The "traveling" administrative team is comprised of the Principal, one Assistant Principal, an Activities Director, a Gifted Coordinator, and an Enrollment Coordinator. In addition, the instructional staff includes a counselor, language arts teacher, social studies teacher, and mathematics teacher at each of the three smaller campuses Homestead, North, and Wolfson Campuses; and a counselor, one full-time and two part-time language arts teachers, two social studies teachers, and two mathematics teachers at the large Kendall Campus. The smaller sites are supported by a secretary/receptionist and sharetime registrar; the Kendall Campus includes the Principal's secretary/treasurer and a full time registrar in addition to the receptionist. We consist of fifteen classroom teachers and four counselors. One hundred percent of the teachers received effective rating or higher and are Page 2

5 Highly Qualified. Eighty three percent of our teachers have an advanced degree and three percent are ESOL endorsed. Fourteen percent of our teachers are National Board Certified. Thirty eight percent have 6-14 years of experience and 62% have 15 or more years of experience. Over the past three years, SAS has experienced a significant increase in applications received. This expansion has resulted in extensive wait-list of qualified applicants at all four sites. In addition, the number of students passing the AP exams has increased from 737 to 820, the overall percentage of students passing the AP exam has increased from 59.24% to 61.6%, and the A.A. graduation rate has increased from 38.60% to 89.68% over this same period. Page 3

6 School's Purpose Provide the school's purpose statement and ancillary content such as mission, vision, values, and/or beliefs. Describe how the school embodies its purpose through its program offerings and expectations for students. (SAS) is committed to a comprehensive academic program which will enable our students to become ethical, productive, and active members of society. SAS enables highly motivated students to achieve their academic and personal potential through an accelerated, full-time high school dual-enrollment program in a college setting. In the process, students develop high levels of selfesteem, mutual respect, and appreciation for cultural diversity while demonstrating responsibility and independence as self-directed, life-long scholars. SAS's core beliefs guide curriculum development and its delivery, student and adult interactions, and peer relationships. Student learning is the chief priority for the school, with a focus on skills for transition from secondary to college study. Each student is a valued individual with unique physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs. A safe, physically comfortable, small school environment promotes student learning. Students learn in different ways and enjoy a variety of instructional approaches. Cultural diversity increases students' understanding of different peoples and cultures. A student's self-esteem is enhanced by positive relationships and mutual respect among students and staff. Beyond the academic, social, and emotional scales, (SAS) represents a commitment to education that has been heralded by scholars for decades. They have long advocated greater college and university involvement in secondary education. The success of many institutions flows and ebbs with changes in administrations, public sentiment, and economic viability. SAS is an actual collaboration between the two educational entities that has succeeded and continues to grow at after 25 years of partnership. Within the ever evolving public education system, strong leadership and close husbandry of our mission and purpose have maintained SAS as one of the top high schools in the United States. At, statistical data serves as a testament to students' achievements, hard work, innate talent, and dedication to academic study. The equity of opportunity for students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds is a tribute to the economic investment and collaborative educational decisions of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami Dade College, and the state of Florida on behalf of academically talented students. The actual day-to-day instruction, planning, and implementation of a dual-enrollment high school bespeak the intellect, dedication, and professionalism of a unique team of educators. The lasting friendships attest to the sincerity, generosity of spirit, and genuine concern students and teachers feel for each other. Pride in SAS is definitely warranted. However, SAS's most important gift to students is its influence on their self-esteem, mutual respect, dedication to responsible and ethical actions, and expression of human compassion. Students, and the adults associated with SAS, are incredibly supportive and encouraging as peers venture into new arenas of study. With sophistication of learning and depth of knowledge, students become more confident in their ability to confront any challenge and trust in their capacity to recognize and respond to any conundrum. Studying at SAS is intellectually, emotionally, and tangibly rewarding for students. They emerge as thriving adults. They trust that their dreams are attainable. They know that their accomplishments are recognized, respected, and appreciated. They realize they have the capacity to become positive influences on future generations and the skills to confront the challenges of the 21st Century. Page 4

7 Notable Achievements and Areas of Improvement Describe the school's notable achievements and areas of improvement in the last three years. Additionally, describe areas for improvement that the school is striving to achieve in the next three years. Each year SAS students surpass expectations. A brief snapshot of the accomplishments of the Class of 2013 will highlight student successes. A longitudinal analysis of the success of the SAS program called for increased opportunities for M-DCPS students to join the SAS community. As a result of opening a fourth campus and increased efforts to make the community aware of SAS, the student population has steadily risen from 500 students in August 2010 to 600 in August After a curriculum change that requires all students to take and test for all AP courses offered at SAS, the number of AP tests administered has grown from 1712 in 2010 to 2152 in 2013, signifying a remarkable increase in the number of opportunities student have to earn college credit. The opportunity for acceleration and enrichment attracts motivated and academically talented students who wish to advance their studies. Among our accomplishments this past year include: - 100% percent of our seniors earned their high school diploma % of our students plan to pursue post-secondary studies % of this graduating class has qualified as Florida Bright Futures Scholars. - $17.3 million dollars in scholarships were awarded to the Class of 2013 comprised of 252 students - Among them are: o 6 POSSE Award Recipients o 2 QuestBridge Scholars o 1 Quest Scholar o 3 Ford Salute to Education Scholars o 40 Advanced Placement Scholars with Distinction o 20 Advanced Placement Scholars with Honors o 54 Advanced Placement Scholars. o 1 National Merit Scholar o 1 National Achievement Scholar o 12 National Hispanic Scholars o 2013 State Moot Court Champions o 2013 District Mock Trial Champions o 2013 District African American Brain Bowl Champions o 2013 District We the People Champions and State Runner-up o 2013 District Brain Jeopardy Champions o Miami Herald Silver Knight Honorable Mention Winner in Music and Dance o 4 Students with Perfect Attendance for all 13 years of school graduates, representing 73% of the Class of 2013, earned the Superintendent's Diploma of Distinction of our graduates representing 90% of the Class of 2013 had already earned an Associate of Arts degree from Miami Dade College at the time of their high school graduation. - 70% of our seniors graduated from Miami Dade College with Honors, with 46% graduating with Gold Honors and a GPA of 3.7 and above from Miami Dade College SAS scholars, representing 38.5% of our graduating class, had a weighted GPA of at least 6.0, and 6 students had a GPA above a 7.0. Page 5

8 - 100% of the graduates in the SAS Class of 2013 graduated as either Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude or Cum Laude. Members of the Graduating Class of 2013 were accepted at 26 of the top 50 universities in the United States. They are now attending, Cal Tech, Stanford,MIT, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Washington University at St. Louis, Rice University, Vanderbilt University, University of Notre Dame, Emory University, University of California at Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Virginia, Wake Forest University, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, New York University, University of Rochester, Case Western University, University of Miami, University of California - Santa Barbara, and University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign, as well as public and private colleges and universities in State of Florida. is a Nationally Recognized High School of Excellence ranked 6th Best High School in America in 2013 by Newsweek Magazine and listed by Washington Post as one the top 100 Most Challenging High School in America. The school is striving to increase the overall AP passing rate, the number of students admitted to Tier 1 Colleges and Universities, delivering content to all students digitally and fostering partnership with the District Office of Community Engagement to increase the number of students participating in executive internships. Page 6

9 Additional Information Provide any additional information you would like to share with the public and community that were not prompted in the previous sections. is implementing a digital content delivery model using IPad tablets for the purpose of narrowing the techonological divide. In addition, the school has partnered with the College Board to deliver an online SAT prep course. School for Advanced Studies hosts College Forums for parents and students with representatives from Ivy League Institutions to ensure awareness of post-secondary admissions and financial aid opportunuties. The school participates in local, state and national scholastic competitions to enhance student participation in school activities, enhance public speaking and critical thinking skills and develop opportunuties for network. Page 7