We’re always beyond excited when National Principals Month rolls around each October. With all of the amazing achievements we see from the inspirational school leaders we work with, there’s never a shortage of celebrating to do.
Now that full-time, in-person instruction is back in full swing, there is a lot of catching up to do on the academic front. But with state testing data now readily available again after being interrupted by the pandemic, the quantitative observations are already helping to illustrate many school leaders’ transformational results.
Read on below to hear some of the remarkable achievements we’ve observed lately from our Growth Accelerator principals in Chicago—just a few of the principals we’ve been having so much fun celebrating this month!
Ready for our first inspiring story of transformational school leadership? Kicking things off first is Maria Freeman, principal of CICS Longwood High School.
Under the leadership of Maria and her team, CICS scholars had an average increase of PSAT/SAT composite scores of 96 points—nearly double the national average increase of 50 points.
Bravo, CICS Longwood High School!
UChicago Charter School – North Kenwood Oakland, led by Campus Director Aneesa Sergeant, is proof that when students are empowered to succeed academically, there’s no limit to what they can achieve.
With their strong emphasis on data-driven instruction, Aneesa and her team helped students outperform the national average reading growth for MAP testing (1.25 years of growth last school year compared to 1 year).
Awesome work, Aneesa and team!
Let’s now turn our attention to Vasiliki Jimenez-Tsirtsis, who is leading students to outstanding academic achievement as principal of Acero – Fuentes.
Although the national norm for MAP reading growth is 1 year, Acero – Fuentes scholars were able to outperform at 1.24 years growth with the support of Vasiliki and her leadership team!
Way to go, Acero – Fuentes community!
Talk about a WIN!
At KIPP Ascend Primary, led by Marquita Curry, the number of students at or above grade level in reading last school year nearly tripled, to 33% from 12%.
This is the type of academic progress that we just love to see! Congratulations to all at KIPP Ascend Primary.
Next up is Anita Hernandez, principal of Schubert Elementary School.
Under Anita’s leadership, the percentage of third- through fifth-graders at Schubert Elementary approaching or on level for math skyrocketed last year—to 46% from 17%.
Incredible work, Anita, leadership team, and Schubert Elementary scholars!
JW Kuebler is just one of the many amazing CICS school leaders we’ve had the pleasure of working with who truly embodies what it means to be a transformational educator.
Under the leadership of JW and his team at CICS Irving Park, the percentage of Black students meeting the school’s MAP growth goal for math increased to 64% at the end of last school year, from just 35% mid-year.
Keep those transformational results coming, CICS Irving Park!
Last, but definitely not least, is Jasmine Morales, principal of Perspectives Middle Academy.
In last year’s MAP testing, PMA scholars achieved 1.25 years of growth in reading, which outperforms the national norm of 1 year of growth.
Way to go, Jasmine! We know this isn’t the last success story we’ll hear of from you and your team.