AMY ZAFFUTO CO-DIRECTOR, CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION Intel Schools of Distinction Roxbury Preparatory Charter School

Background: Roxbury Prep September 13, Mission: Prepare students to enter, succeed in, and graduate from college 265 students, 100% African-American or Latino, 72% free and reduced-price lunch eligible School was founded to serve the underserved communities in Boston without access to college prep schools School opened in September 1999 with class of 6 th grade students; first graduating class in June 2002 Charter renewed in February 2009

School Organization: September 13, Rigorous, college prep Math, Science, English, History, and Reading classes from 7:45 AM to 3:15 PM Athletics and visual and performing arts Enrichment classes from 3:15 to 4:15 PM Small, focused classes with outstanding teachers, a strict code of conduct, and mandatory uniforms

Outstanding Results September 13, On the th grade math MCAS test, Roxbury Prep students ranked #1 out of all schools in the Commonwealth. On the th grade ELA MCAS test, Roxbury Prep students ranked #9 out of all schools in the Commonwealth. Students scored advanced or proficient on the 2009 MCAS at a higher rate than 80% of all Massachusetts middle schools, including Wellesley, Weston, Belmont, Brookline, and Harvard. Nearly 70% of the students in the Class of 2009 matriculated to independent, parochial, or exam schools. Nearly 80% of the graduates from Roxbury Prep’s first three classes are enrolled in colleges and universities across the nation.

Reasons for Success: September 13, Freedom/Accountability Research/Systems Three C’s: Curriculum, Character, Community

Freedom/Accountability: September 13, Freedom  Freedom to establish college prep mission, to require our students to wear formal uniforms and complete two and a half hours of homework each night, to create a culture of academic rigor and high expectations Accountability  Accountability plan  choose systems, choose data to collect and analyze, make outcome-oriented, data-driven decisions  Must produce results  otherwise shut down

Research/Systems: September 13, Research Best Practices  There is no “magic bullet”  find out what other schools are doing well and do it better Develop strong systems  Curriculum, discipline, professional development, etc.  Refine your systems every day

Three C’s: Curriculum September 13, Curriculum  Recruitment of outstanding teachers  Extended day: 7:45 AM – 4:15 PM (two periods of literacy; two periods of math)  Development of clear internal standards aligned with MA standards, the MCAS, and our college prep mission (CATs)  3 full weeks in summer  Development of internal assessments aligned with MA standards, the MCAS, and our college prep mission  comprehensive assessments each trimester  Tutoring

Three C’s: Character & Community September 13, Character  School Creed  Strict code of conduct (emphasized in information sessions and orientations)  Advisory character development program  built around school creed Community  Enrichment  Community Meeting  Family involvement/communication  Summer opportunities  High School Placement/Graduate Services

Science at Roxbury Prep September 13, Results  MCAS  Roxbury Prep students have outperformed Boston Public Schools students, state averages, and affluent suburbs.  Comps  Roxbury Prep students average a 50% gain between pre and post test on internal assessments Program  August Curriculum Development  Professional Development  Double Labs in 8 th Grade  Integration of Technology and Engineering Standards