2003-2004 Annual Report Our Mission Roxbury Preparatory Charter School, a public middle school, prepares its students to enter, succeed in, and graduate from college. Roxbury Prep is founded on the philosophy that all students are entitled to and can succeed in college preparatory programs when: 1) the curriculum is rigorous, engaging, and well-planned; 2) the school emphasizes student character, community responsibility, and exposure to life’s possibilities; and 3) a community network supports students’ academic, social, and physical well-being. Roxbury Prep helps students gain admission to outstanding public and private college preparatory high schools. Our Core Values To prepare students for success in college and beyond, the Roxbury Prep community adheres to the following values: 1) Scholarship: We think critically and aspire to and achieve academic excellence. 2) Integrity: We are honest and ethical in our words and our actions. 3) Dignity: We have self-respect and honor our heritages. 4) Responsibility: We are accountable for our decisions and our actions. 5) Perseverance: We are resourceful, work hard, and always strive to do our best. 6) Community: We use our talents to make positive contributions to our communities. 7) Leadership: We act on the principle that if we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem. 8) Peace: We resolve conflicts with compassion and help others to do the same. 9) Social Justice: We endeavor to make our society more just. 10) Investment: We are reflective, act with foresight, and invest in our futures. “From observations during the four-day visit in classrooms and common areas, the team concluded that student-teacher relationships reflect the core values of respect for all students’ potential … [Students] are treated as responsible learners. The climate supports academic risk and participation. Inspection team members observed students who freely (and respectfully) disagreed and defended an answer that was different from those given by the rest of the class.” - SchoolWorks Charter School Renewal Inspection Report, p. 19 2003-2004 Annual Report Table of Contents OUR MISSION ............................................................................................................................................................................... i OUR CORE VALUES .................................................................................................................................................................... i TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................................................................. ii LETTER FROM THE CHAIRPERSON .................................................................................................................................... 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................................... 2 MISSION AND OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................................................. 2 CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION ................................................................................................................................................. 2 CHARACTER................................................................................................................................................................................. 2 COMMUNITY ................................................................................................................................................................................ 2 ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE 2003-2004 ACADEMIC YEAR ........................................................................................................... 3 CHARTER RENEWAL .................................................................................................................................................................... 3 RECOGNITION BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.......................................................................................... 4 CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION....................................................................................................................................... 5 CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT ...................................................................................................................................................... 5 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR PROMOTION ............................................................................................ 5 COMMON INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES ....................................................................................................................................... 6 HOMEWORK CENTER ................................................................................................................................................................... 7 STANDARDIZED TESTS ................................................................................................................................................................. 7 SUMMER ACADEMIC PROGRAM ................................................................................................................................................... 7 SPECIAL NEEDS............................................................................................................................................................................ 7 MCAS RESULTS .......................................................................................................................................................................... 8 STANFORD 9 TEST RESULTS....................................................................................................................................................... 10 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT RESULTS ................................................................................................................................... 12 MIDDLE SCHOOL ASPIRATIONS AND PATHWAYS TO COLLEGE (MAPS TO COLLEGE) ................................................................ 13 HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT ........................................................................................................................................................ 13 GRADUATE SERVICES ................................................................................................................................................................ 16 STAFF RECRUITMENT................................................................................................................................................................. 17 STAFF BIOGRAPHIES FOR 2004-2005 ......................................................................................................................................... 18 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT .................................................................................................................................................. 21 TEACHER EVALUATION.............................................................................................................................................................. 22 CHARACTER.............................................................................................................................................................................. 23 ADVISORY CURRICULUM ........................................................................................................................................................... 23 ENRICHMENT PROGRAM ............................................................................................................................................................ 23 CREED DEEDS AND THE SPIRIT STICK ........................................................................................................................................ 25 COMMUNITY MEETING .............................................................................................................................................................. 25 COLLEGE VISITS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 25 FIELD TRIPS ............................................................................................................................................................................... 25 STUDENT ACTIVITIES................................................................................................................................................................. 26 SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES........................................................................................................................................................... 26 SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.............................................................................................................................................................. 27 DRESS CODE AND CODE OF CONDUCT ....................................................................................................................................... 27 COMMUNITY ............................................................................................................................................................................. 28 FAMILY INVOLVEMENT COMMITTEE .........................................................................................................................................