High Expectations & School Culture of Excellence
The persistent achievement gap in our city’s public schools must be overcome by the power of high expectations. Research on high-performing schools serving low-income and minority populations has consistently demonstrated that a culture of no excuses and a belief in the ability of all students to achieve at high levels is of paramount importance to securing positive student outcomes. Establishing a highly-disciplined culture that “sweats the small stuff” in relentless pursuit of excellence is integral to establishing an environment where students can achieve at high levels. Even small expressions of disregard for the school’s values and expectations - rolling eyes, un-tucked shirts, messy work, tardiness – are all addressed immediately in a clear and consistent manner. We believe that proper classroom behavior and personal values must be taught explicitly through carefully designed routines, rituals, rewards, consequences, and consistent positive reinforcement from all teachers and staff. Staff meet regularly to review, reinforce, and revise classroom procedures that are determined to be effective or in need of strengthening to have the greatest impact on student achievement. Students attend a one week orientation in the summer before school opens to learn the school academic standards, core values and behavioral expectations that serve as the foundation for the school culture.
top
College Preparation for All Students
Every aspect of the New Orleans College Prep school model is tailored to our mission of ensuring every one of our students is college ready by the time of graduation. Our goal of college preparation guides our decision-making in all areas of instruction and school culture. Moreover, our academic, enrichment, and character education programs are developed to ensure that all our students will meet the admissions criteria of selective universities. New Orleans College Prep scholars are taught the academic knowledge, as well as the study habits, values, and leadership skills they require to be successful in college and their professional careers. We will measure our success based on the goal of 100% of New Orleans College Prep seniors being accepted into at least one four-year college or university. We will do everything possible to support families in securing financial aid to send their children to college, as well as offer ongoing support to our alumni to ensure they remain enrolled and succeed in graduating from college. We will keep in close contact with our alumni and their families to monitor their progress and accomplishments in college and beyond.
top
Extend
Learning Time for All Students
Many of our students come to us in the sixth grade significantly below grade level - on average our students are 2 or more grade levels behind. As such, New Orleans College Prep provides students with a systematic schedule of additional learning time. Research has consistently shown that an educational program utilizing additional hours of carefully planned academic learning is directly correlated to increased student achievement. We have designed a longer school day running from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, extensive tutoring and homework support offered before and after school, and extra time in English and Math instruction. This schedule reflects our belief that literacy and numeracy skills are the gateways to advanced, interdisciplinary, college preparatory learning. Our extended learning time schedule is a key component of our mission to prepare every student to attend and succeed in college, and our belief that all students are entitled to a public education that relentlessly seeks to close achievement gaps at an individual level.
top
Recruit
and Empower Outstanding Educators
Educational researchers indicate that teacher quality is the most important determinant of student success. Recruiting and training great teachers is one of New Orleans College Prep’s foremost priorities. We expend significant resources to recruit and attract experienced teachers who have demonstrated clear results in driving student achievement in their classrooms. In addition to hiring outstanding, talented teachers, New Orleans College Prep provides teachers with 15% more compensation than the local school district, 2.5 hours per day of planning and professional development time, funding for external teacher education, a strong scholarly culture, and clear accountability systems that are tied directly to the best practices of the teaching profession. Furthermore, we create an environment of professionalism that encourages collaboration among teachers so that they can perfect their craft. Each teacher has a desk, laptop computer, cell phone, internet/e-mail, and unlimited access to a printer and photocopier. In addition, weekly teacher meetings are held to ensure consistency and integration across the educational program.
top
Proven Curricula
Aligned with Standards
Curriculum at New Orleans College Prep Charter School is aligned to the Louisiana state standards and Grade-Level Expectations (GLEs), which we believe are rigorous and necessary for students to master in order to be fully prepared to succeed in selective colleges. The framework for curricula is structured according to the clearly defined objectives outlined in the state scope and sequence, though teachers are free to reach those objectives by integrating lessons from various sources or by developing lessons themselves. Our initial curriculum is built from the Louisiana Comprehensive Curriculum, supplemented by programs proven successful by top-performing urban charter schools across the country. The New Orleans College Prep curriculum is continuously measured for results and improved by our teachers over the life of our school.
top
Parental
Involvement
We strongly believe that schools must have parents engaged in their child’s academic career to maximize student achievement. New Orleans College Prep requires much of its parents, and we are clear from the very first contact with a parent of a prospective student that they are making a significant time commitment to the school’s academic program and discipline code. Family involvement in teaching and learning is integral to ensuring students excel academically and are not receiving contradictory messages about what is expected of them. New Orleans College Prep leverages parent involvement in support of their child’s academic achievement through a variety of strategies, including:
- An Accountability Contract that is signed by
parents, students, and school staff.
-
Continuous communication with every family
through staff phone calls and home visits.
-
Weekly academic and behavioral progress
reports.
- Numerous volunteer activities will
fully engage parents in the life of the school – parents
are asked to commit to at least 20 hours per school year of
volunteer time in the school.
top
|
