LA's Promise High Schools Achieve 84 Point API Gains

West Adams Prep and Manual Arts produce highest gains among neighboring comprehensive high schools

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Newly released 2011 Academic Performance Index (API) scores for West Adams Preparatory High School and Manual Arts High School reflect a staggering jump in achievement for both schools. West Adams rocketed 51 points from 2010, an overall 113 point three year growth since LA's Promise began working with West Adams in 2007. Manual Arts jumped an impressive 33 points from its 2010 score and an overall 39 points in its two years with LA's Promise. Both LA's Promise schools' one-year API growth far outpaced neighboring comprehensive LAUSD high schools. LA's Promise schools also significantly outpaced the overall LAUSD 19 point one-year increase.

"These results are spectacular," said Dr. Rupi Boyd, LA's Promise Superintendent. "The rise in each school's API is due to innovative curriculum, a strong teaching staff, early interventions for struggling students, additional resources, flexibility in school management, and a testament to the highly motivated students and families of LA's Promise Neighborhood. They give us great momentum as we get ready to start the new school year."

Both schools far surpassed not only the 2010-2011 school-wide API growth target, but West Adams surpassed its target in every state-determined subgroup and Manual Arts far exceeded four of its five.  Hispanic/Latino, English Learners and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged subgroups had the largest gains at West Adams with stunning 53-, 52- and 51-point increases, respectively. Manual Arts also saw impressive gains in ethnic subgroups:  the African American student group had a 29-point gain; Hispanic/Latino students jumped 32 points. English Learners showed tremendous growth with a 31 point jump and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged students increased 32 points. Only 60% of LAUSD schools and 54% of schools statewide met their growth targets.

"While it is time to celebrate these tremendous successes, we remain focused on both sustaining and improving upon our results," said Stephen Prough, LA's Promise Board Chair. "Given the exceptional improvements in attendance and student behavior and gains on the CAHSEE and CSTs, this API growth is a proud summation of a breakthrough year for the LA's Promise family. Our model is working and we will continue to set a new standard for public schools in Los Angeles."

LA's Promise has evolved into a leader in the national movement to turn around Los Angeles' most challenged urban public schools. In partnership with LAUSD, LA's Promise collaborates with the district, sharing decision-making authority while being held publicly accountable for its schools' outcomes and leverages change with public and private resources giving students within the LA's Promise schools' enrollment zone an opportunity for a high-quality education and college preparatory environment.  

LA's Promise began working with West Adams in 2007, Manual Arts in 2009 and John Muir Middle School in 2011 – all in "LA's Promise Neighborhood" - an 8.2 square mile enrollment zone with nearly 8,000 students across all three schools.

The Academic Performance Index reflects the results of statewide testing in multiple subject areas. API scores range from 200 to 1000, and the state's goal is that every school has an API score of 800.

ABOUT LA's PROMISE

LA's Promise, a nonprofit organization, is working to radically shift the education, health and social outcomes for thousands of youth in one South Los Angeles community. This will accomplish a "neighborhood turnaround" in an area we call LA's Promise Neighborhood. LA's Promise Neighborhood is an enrollment zone that includes two large South LA high schools and one middle school operated by LA's Promise on a first-of-its- kind performance contract with LAUSD. Within this zone, LA's Promise transforms chronically failing public schools, opens new schools and re-makes schools into community hubs that offer comprehensive support services for students and families. By doing this, LA's Promise will prepare every child in LA's Promise Neighborhood to be college-ready, healthy and successful in life. LA's Promise also screens and manages more than 50 partners who support these school communities by providing over 200 wraparound services. To learn more about LA's Promise visit www.laspromise.org.

CONTACT
Nichol Whiteman
[email protected]
(213) 745-4928 ext. 5121

SOURCE LA's Promise