|
 New
Orleans College Prep was founded in 2006 by a group of local
residents committed to a new vision of public education in
New Orleans. In contrast to low-performing public schools
that fail to focus on results, New Orleans College Prep leverages demanding, standards-based, and performance-driven
instruction to drive dramatic gains in student achievement.
New Orleans College Prep provides all our students with
a sound college preparatory education that rivals the academic
rigor of the best private and public schools in the city.
As a public charter school, New Orleans College Prep is publicly
funded, independently managed, non-selective, and available
tuition-free on a lottery basis to any child in Orleans Parish.
Charters are accountability contracts granted by the State
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) through
a competitive process to qualified non-profit organizations
led by individuals with the skills and commitment to build
a successful school. New Orleans College Prep’s charter application
was approved by BESE on February 15, 2007 and the school opened
for an entering class of 125 sixth graders in August 2007.
In August 2009, we opened New Orleans College Prep Elementary School with grades Kindergarten through 2nd grade. We will grow both schools every year to eventually serve grades PK-12.
Our Mission
New Orleans College Prep will prepare each of its students
to enter and excel in a rigorous 4-year college or university.
Our Vision
The silver lining of the levees breaking is an unprecedented
historical opportunity to rebuild New Orleans public schools
from the ground up. The state-controlled Recovery School District
has re-opened schools, largely as charters, with open enrollment
parish-wide, strict accountability targets, and the promise
of improved educational opportunities for public school students
in New Orleans. New Orleans College Prep seeks to provide
all New Orleans children with the educational opportunities
they deserve.
In our first year of operation, the percentage of our students
scoring proficient on the state exams increased by 15% in
English, 11% in Math, 17% in Science, and 38% in Social Studies.
In 2009, our second year of operation, NOCP had an average gain of 17% in state test scores on the iLEAP exams.
We maintain a palpable sense of urgency to leverage the success
of our first two years to grow and contribute to the opportunity
before us – to establish the very first high performing system
of urban public schools in our nation’s history. The time
is now – we must capitalize on this chance to model to the
entire country how entire failing districts can be turned
around through effective public-private partnerships with
“no excuses” charter schools.
Our school is built upon the following principles and practices:
· Expect all students to achieve at high levels
· Recruit and empower outstanding teachers
· Prepare every student for college success
· Establish a structured school culture of excellence
· Extend learning time to ensure student mastery
· Teach with curricula and methods that have proven results
· Use data to drive instruction
· Engage families in the life of the school
|
