Maynard Jackson's Turnaround (Leslie: schools, zoned, educational)

[equinox63]

Actually, many Drew Charter students/parents are transferring to Jackson High School to participate in traditional high school extra-curriculars (sports, clubs. etc.) that Drew doesn't provide. They also transfer to participate in Jackson's IB Diploma Program as juniors (another program that Drew doesn't provide). Some parents chose Drew early on because they were simply scared of Jackson (based on stereotypes from the Southside days). But now that Jackson is growing to be one of the better schools in the city, many parents are now jumping ship...

For what it's worth, our kindergartner was accepted to KIPP and Drew, but we chose a well-regarded traditional Jackson Cluster Elementary school anyway. We wanted her to participate in the IB PYP and MYP, and only the Jackson and North Atlanta Clusters have it right now.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by jeoff

... It probably seemed like the best solution at the time, but it sounds as if the area has outgrown it.

This.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by equinox63

Actually, many Drew Charter students/parents are transferring to Jackson High School to participate in traditional high school extra-curriculars (sports, clubs. etc.) that Drew doesn't provide. They also transfer to participate in Jackson's IB Diploma Program as juniors (another program that Drew doesn't provide). Some parents chose Drew early on because they were simply scared of Jackson (based on stereotypes from the Southside days). But now that Jackson is growing to be one of the better schools in the city, many parents are now jumping ship...

For what it's worth, our kindergartner was accepted to KIPP and Drew, but we chose a well-regarded traditional Jackson Cluster Elementary school anyway. We wanted her to participate in the IB PYP and MYP, and only the Jackson and North Atlanta Clusters have it right now.

Glad to see we will have help in continuing the transformation of the entire Jackson Cluster. Look forward to working with you at King and Jackson.
I will tell you that it feels as if the good news of Jackson and other schools does not reach Kirkwood/East Lake as many parents are still fleeing to Drew. Some parents see Drew as the neighborhood school. I wish we had more outreach or the good news trickled our way more.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by jeoff

While I could see Drew drawing wealthy famlies now, I don't think its success started because of wealth--it was successful as a mostly poor and almost completely minority school--probably, the very modest level of excluvicity that comes from having an application process that occurs months in advance kept out children of parents that were transient, unaware of the process, or just unmotivated--these parents are most likely to have the kids that make learning and teaching more difficult--Drew had less--Toomer more. It probably seemed like the best solution at the time, but it sounds as if the area has outgrown it.

Drew's board is now considering changes to the enrollment lottery that will 'right the ship' of the lower grades that are overwhelmingly white and not lower income.

“Over time our school has become more economically diverse and that’s a great thing, but in the lower grades we have many fewer kids who come from lower income families than we like to have,” Naughton said. “Forty percent of the kids in the early grades apply for free in reduced lunch.” Drew’s Board of Directors, want the percentage of free and reduced lunch students to be at least 65 percent.

At the board's discretion, they can implement a weighed lottery

“Our expectation is we would use the weighted lottery strategically per grade and per tier,” Naughton said.

I feel like this weighed lottery won't be transparent, could be a source of corruption and abuse. Drew's lottery has already been accused of not being transparent.
Drew Charter considering changes to enrollment preferences - Decaturish

[CCATL]

Originally Posted by jeoff

While I could see Drew drawing wealthy famlies now, I don't think its success started because of wealth--it was successful as a mostly poor and almost completely minority school--probably, the very modest level of excluvicity that comes from having an application process that occurs months in advance kept out children of parents that were transient, unaware of the process, or just unmotivated--these parents are most likely to have the kids that make learning and teaching more difficult--Drew had less--Toomer more. It probably seemed like the best solution at the time, but it sounds as if the area has outgrown it.

You're completely correct - Drew's success is not do to wealth of attending students and families. There is still a majority low-income student body. However, the East Lake Foundation has pumped huge amounts of money into Drew to guarantee its success, and Drew has applied for and received a number of large grants from the state. The school really is great, but it is no secret that the success they have had is due in large part to the resources available to them.

My point was not that Drew needs the wealthier families, but that King and Jackson do. The public schools don't have the same money flowing into them that Drew has. In addition, the use of the money they do receive is mostly pre-determined by the district, while Drew has the freedom to do what they think is best for their students.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by CCATL

You're completely correct - Drew's success is not do to wealth of attending students and families. There is still a majority low-income student body. However, the East Lake Foundation has pumped huge amounts of money into Drew to guarantee its success, and Drew has applied for and received a number of large grants from the state. The school really is great, but it is no secret that the success they have had is due in large part to the resources available to them.

My point was not that Drew needs the wealthier families, but that King and Jackson do. The public schools don't have the same money flowing into them that Drew has. In addition, the use of the money they do receive is mostly pre-determined by the district, while Drew has the freedom to do what they think is best for their students.

East Lake Foundation, Drew, and Purpose Built have done such a great job, that APS has contractor Purpose Built to operate Carver HS and transform the Thomasville area, the same way East Lake Foundation did for Villages of East Lake. Of course closer to home, I would like to see East Lake Foundation get involved with Edgewood Court Apartments and Tier 1 those apartments to help end the cycle of poverty and crime at that location.

[equinox63]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Glad to see we will have help in continuing the transformation of the entire Jackson Cluster. Look forward to working with you at King and Jackson.
I will tell you that it feels as if the good news of Jackson and other schools does not reach Kirkwood/East Lake as many parents are still fleeing to Drew. Some parents see Drew as the neighborhood school. I wish we had more outreach or the good news trickled our way more.

Doesn't Kirkwood and East Lake normally feed into Toomer Elementary? Perhaps you can reach out to Ashley Adamo (Principal) or Tiffany Olive (Toomer IB Specialist) in order to drum up some informational/PR sessions for the EL and KW communities.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by equinox63

Doesn't Kirkwood and East Lake normally feed into Toomer Elementary? Perhaps you can reach out to Ashley Adamo (Principal) or Tiffany Olive (Toomer IB Specialist) in order to drum up some informational/PR sessions for the EL and KW communities.

Already started that conversation.

[equinox63]

I also think the hope is that the "Jacksonfication" of King Middle School will start happening soon. They are also getting IB (similar to Decatur City and the North Atlanta Cluster). And I believe they will be in a newly renovated state-of-art building located at Hill St. On the border of Grant Park and Summerhill.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by equinox63

I also think the hope is that the "Jacksonfication" of King Middle School will start happening soon. They are also getting IB (similar to Decatur City and the North Atlanta Cluster). And I believe they will be in a newly renovated state-of-art building located at Hill St. On the border of Grant Park and Summerhill.

It has already happening (not to the same level of Jackson), but you don't hear much of it.