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Drew Report_ToPrint 10/27/08 11:54 AM Page 1 DREW CHARTER SCHOOL A Choice Education Leadership Team Nicholas Stapleton, Ed.D., Principal Barbara Preuss, Academy Director, grades Pre-K-5 Donnita Davis-Thomas, Academy Director, grades 6-8 Sherique Ransby, Gifted Program Coordinator Hannah Hurley, Special Education Coordinator Eurith Bowen, Ph.D., High School Connection Program Advisor Lindsey James, Director of Extended Services Chris Bennett, Director, CREW (Creating Responsible, Educated and Working) Teens Program Board of Directors Cynthia Kuhlman, Ph.D. Amir Farokhi Lillian C. Giornelli Deborah Knight, Ph.D. Ginger D. Myers Tamara S. Nash Carol R. Naughton Darlene Saunders-Banks Samuel Wright CHARTER SCHOOL CHARLES R. DREW 301 east lake boulevard atlanta, georgia 30317 2007-2008 | Annual Report 404.687.0001 www.drewcharterschool.org Drew Report_ToPrint 10/27/08 11:54 AM Page 3 The Drew Difference Academic Excellence Enriching Experiences Since opening in August 2000 as Atlanta Public Schools’ first charter Drew balances academic school, Drew Charter School has proven its approach to education works. rigor with its vast array of Standardized test results show that student achievement steadily increases enrichment offerings. These from Pre-K through eighth grade; the longer students stay at Drew, the opportunities enhance better they perform. In 2008, 91percent of Drew students met or exceeded classroom instruction and Reading/Language Arts standards, surpassing students in Georgia and the help students discover their Atlanta Public Schools. passions. While many public schools have had to eliminate The school’s rich and academically challenging curriculum focuses on reading, arts, foreign language, and writing, math, science and technology. All students have the opportunity physical education classes, to reach new levels of achievement because Drew has the resources to Drew continues to strengthen accommodate a variety of learning styles. Drew offers a program for students its enrichment offerings with who excel in the current curriculum as well as special programs for students classes such as art, dance, who need extra academic support. drama, chorus, band, orchestra, Spanish, golf, Pre-K to College Support swimming and more. Drew serves about 800 students in Pre-K through eighth grade with Students participating in Drew’s expansive After School Program have the Drew’s commitment to high a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1. chance to take additional enrichment classes such as etiquette, tennis and academic achievement, Drew students are supported martial arts. Students helped to build their confidence by demonstrating character development and from Pre-K to college with access some of these skills in two different community showcases held in 2008. to the people, programs and enrichment opportunities helps scholarships to help them attend Community Support all students reach their and graduate from the best An abundance of opportunities is available to Drew students thanks to high schools and colleges. major support from the Akers Foundation, Atlanta Braves Foundation, highest potential. Atlanta Rotary Educational Foundation, Inc., The Atlanta Women’s In 2007, Drew welcomed its Foundation, CapMark Foundation, CF Foundation, Jack and Anne Glenn inaugural Pre-K class. Operating Charitable Foundation, Rockdale Foundation, Wachovia Foundation, in partnership with the Rollins Center for Language & Learning at the THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola, as well as the East Lake Atlanta Speech School, Drew’s program provides an early learning experience Foundation, which not only raised money to build the school in 2001, but to increase students’ chances for success in school. The Pre-K students continues to help fund a variety of Drew programs. The school also enjoys made significant progress on pre-reading skills when tested at the end of the support of many dedicated, individual volunteers who share their time their first school year. and resources. Drew Report_ToPrint 10/27/08 11:54 AM Page 5 Our Education Partners Atlanta Public Schools Drew was recognized as Center for Civic Engagement, Oglethorpe University Center for Teaching, The Westminster Schools In the 2007-2008 school year, one of 10 schools in the EdisonLearningTM state with the highest gains Drew experienced meaningful Georgia State University School of Music in the percentage of increases in the percentages of and Georgia Tech Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, students in the meets and Computing students meeting and exceeding exceeds categories for Rollins Center for Language & Learning at the Atlanta Speech School state standards on the CRCT. sixth-grade science. Sheltering Arms Early Education and Family Center Our Triumphs University of Georgia From teachers and staff to parents and volunteers, Overall Increase of 4 Science Increase of 11 percentage points percentage points the Drew community works together to ensure student success by creating a learning environment Our Scores that empowers students to discover and develop their talents. Drew students met or exceeded their previous year’s test performance in almost every subject on the 2008 Georgia Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT). Georgia relies on the CRCT to determine Highlights from the 2007-2008 school year include: whether a school has made Adequate Yearly Progress under the No Child Left Behind law. Drew Charter School was singled out as one of three outstanding Georgia schools visited by U.S. Department of Education representatives during National Charter 2007 2008 2007 2008 Schools Week. % Students Meeting or Exceeding Standards on the 2008 CRCT Students reaped the benefits of Drew’s many community partnerships including the “Fit Kids” lifestyle makeover program by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Photos by Duane Stork Photography Reading Language Arts Math* Math Increase of 7 Reading Increase of 2 mentoring and outreach by Oglethorpe University students and faculty, as well A Drew education helps prepare students for the future: State of State of State of percentage points percentage points as a new SunTrust Youth Bank at Drew where students are both managers and GRADE Drew Georgia Drew Georgia Drew Georgia Two thirds of Drew’s eighth graders were selected to attend their customers. About 120 students opened accounts with total saving deposits of more 91% 90% 87% 85% 91% 86% first-choice high schools thanks to their hard work and Drew’s High School 1 than $1,000, which were matched in part by SunTrust Bank. 2 92% 92% 81% 84% 77% 86% Connection Program. An advisor meets with students and families beginning in sixth grade to determine students’ interests and the best fit for high school. 3 91% 88% 88% 87% —— Twelve eighth-graders from Drew’s Beta Club, which is part of the national 4 88% 88% 88% 86% —— organization recognizing academic achievement and leadership, visited Hawaii Drew’s inaugural eighth-grade class of 2004 completed high school in 2008, 5 80% 87% 89% 90% —— to culminate a year-long cultural exchange program with students at the Dole and the students were accepted to more than 30 colleges including Emory 6 Academy in Oahu. 89% 91% 92% 87% 72% 69% University, the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Georgia. 7 94% 88% 88% 90% 85% 80% With drums beating in the background, 24 fifth-graders performed a traditional 8 94% 91% 94% 89% —— More than 200 Drew alumni and area high school students took advantage of dance from Ghana at a “Share the World” luncheon at Atlanta’s Biltmore *This is the first year the state has administered new Georgia Performance Standards the CREW (Creating Responsible, Educated and Working) Teens after-school Hotel under the direction of an artist in residence from Young Audiences, in Math for grades 3, 4, 5 and 8 so no comparisons can be made until 2009. 2007 2008 2007 2008 academic support program. Held at Drew, the program is designed to help Woodruff Arts Center. For more scores, please visit www.doe.k12.ga.us students to complete high school and prepare for higher education and careers..