Overview of Rochester Prep

Anna Hall Chief Operating Officer Uncommon Schools Rochester Uncommon Schools Troy

About Charter Schools

•  Free, public schools –  Charter schools never charge tuition –  Any student can enroll –  The only admissions requirement is an application; students are

admitted by random public lottery •  Autonomy in exchange for accountability

–  Freedom from some requirements –  5-year contracts, with high-stakes evaluations at least every 5 years

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New York State Charter Schools Year First Charter School Law Enacted: 1998

Charter Schools Operating in the 2013-14 School Year: 233 Students Served by NYS Charter Schools: 87,000

Uncommon Schools

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Uncommon Schools

•  A Charter Management Organization (CMO): Uncommon contracts with school Boards of Trustees to deliver management services

•  Non-Profit: Uncommon’s “bottom line” is student achievement. •  Provides “central office” type support •  Recently awarded the Broad Prize for top-performing Charter

organization

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“Uncommon Schools starts and manages outstanding urban charter public schools that close the achievement gap and prepare

low-income students to graduate from college.”

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Rochester (1,100 students) •  2 Elementary School •  2 Middle Schools

Newark (2,700 students) •  4 Elementary Schools •  4 Middle Schools •  1 High School

Troy (400 students) •  1 Elementary School •  1 Middle School

Boston (700 students) •  3 Middle Schools

New York City (5,000 students) •  6 Elementary Schools •  12 Middle Schools •  2 High Schools

Uncommon currently operates 38 schools in 5 regions.

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Uncommon Schools in Rochester- Rochester Prep

Uncommon Schools in Rochester 2013-14

During the 2013-14 school year, Rochester Prep includes 4 schools

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Rochester Prep Brooks Campus Middle

Rochester Prep West Campus Middle

Rochester Prep Jay St Elementary

Rochester Prep West Campus Elementary

•  Grades: 5-8 •  Students: 322 •  Year Opened: 2006

•  Grades: 5-7 •  Students: 260 •  Year Opened: 2011

•  Grades: K-4 •  Students: 445 •  Year Opened: 2010

•  Grades: K •  Students: 120 •  Year Opened: 2013

Rochester Prep’s model: What makes us Uncommon

We believe that there is no “100% solution”- but there are 100 different 1% solutions •  A longer school day and year. •  A focus on accountability and data-driven instruction •  Students wear uniforms and are held to strict behavioral

expectations. •  We believe that school time is for learning: students don’t have

recess or nap time, even in Kindergarten. •  Middle school students have 2 periods of math and separate 90-

minute periods of Reading and Writing every day. •  We believe that learning should be joyful. •  Teachers have 3 weeks of PD every August and every Friday

afternoon. •  Dual-leader model: a principal whose sole focus is on teaching and

learning, and a Director of Operations whose focus is everything else

We believe that every student can go to college. Period.

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Uncommon Rochester Math Performance, Grades 3-8

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0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

Uncommon Schools Rochester Performance 2012 - 2013 New York State Math, Grades 3-8 % Students Scoring "Advanced" and "Proficient”

Roch Prep West Rochester District New York State Pittsford District

Uncommon Rochester ELA Performance, Grades 3-8

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0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

Uncommon Schools Rochester Performance 2012 - 2013 New York State ELA, Grades 3-8

% Students Scoring "Advanced" and "Proficient

Roch Prep West Rochester District New York State Pittsford District

Uncommon Rochester Math Performance, Students Enrolled for 2+ years

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New York State Math Exam, Grades 5-8, 2013 % of Students Scoring “Advanced” or “Proficient”

5%

29%

13% 16%

36%

18%

Rochester District New York Statewide NY State Black Students

NY State Hispanic Students

NY State White Students

Uncommon Rochester

Source: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/irs/ela-math/

Uncommon Rochester ELA Performance, Students Enrolled for 2+ years

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New York State ELA Exam, Grades 5-8, 2013 % of Students Scoring “Advanced” or “Proficient”

5%

31%

15% 17%

40%

14%

Rochester District New York Statewide NY State Black Students

NY State Hispanic Students

NY State White Students

Uncommon Rochester

Source: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/irs/ela-math/

Don’t take my word for it: Come see what we do

Rochester Prep Middle School: 630 Brooks Ave, Rochester, NY West Campus Elementary and Middle Schools: 1020 Maple St, Rochester, NY Rochester Prep Elementary School: 899 Jay St, Rochester, NY Email: msherry@rochesterprep.org