Village Academy update

Underneath the scores, of course, are stories of individual schools.  Here's one -- in the form of an email from Deborah Kenny, the founder and principal of the two Village Academy charter schools in Harlem, which are doing great work!  (Especially when compared to the shocking Harlem statistics -- the % of students reading at grade level drops from an already awful 43% in 4th grade and to a horrifying 23% in 8th grade.)

The article from Sunday’s New York Times [which I sent out in a previous email] focuses on an important issue that concerns us all: the sharp decline in student achievement throughout New York City and New York State as students grow from 4^th to 8^th grade.  This problem could not be more serious: if a student is unable to pass the 8^th grade basic skills test, s/he is highly unlikely to graduate from high school.

Harlem Village Academy is open to all students, with no exam, no interview, and no admissions requirements whatsoever.  The student population includes the same population as New York City, with the same average % of special education students.  Most of the students enroll lacking basic phonics and basic math skills, many with a history of behavioral issues and significant family challenges.  Despite these challenges:

·     Harlem Village Academy student test scores improved every grade as students progress through the program, while student test scores in Harlem, New York City, and New York State (including open enrollment as well as exam/selective schools) declined every grade.  Of all schools in Harlem – including public, selective/exam and charter – Harlem Village Academy is the only school that has consistently improved passing rates every year as students move through the grades. 

·     Once a student is enrolled for one year, Village Academy passing rates exceed both the Harlem passing rate as well as NYC passing rates. 

·     By 7^th grade, Harlem Village Academy’s passing rate also exceeds the overall New York State passing rate, which includes suburban districts.  

·     100% of Harlem Village Academy students who began at level 1 (functional illiteracy) improved to level 2 or 3 within one year.

New York City (including selective/exam schools) scores decline each year:

5^th grade: 57% passed  

6^th grade: 49% passed  

7^th grade: 44% passed   

New York State (including selective/exam schools) scores decline each year:

5^th grade: 67% passed  

6^th grade: 60% passed  

7^th grade: 56% passed   

Harlem (district 5, including selective/exam schools) scores decline each year:

4^th grade: 43% passed

5^th grade: 35% passed  

6^th grade: 35% passed  

7^th grade: 26% passed 

8^th grade: 23% passed

Harlem Village Academy scores increase each year:

5^th grade: 49% passing

6^th grade: 58% passing

7^th grade: 61% passing