ALMA DEL MAR CHARTER SCHOOL

2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Dear Friends,

Alma del Mar (“Soul of the Sea”) began with a group of us who were driven by a set of shared beliefs, among them that kids in the City of New Bedford are just as capable as kids anywhere and, that given the opportunity, they will become the leaders that this city and this world so desperately needs. We called on you - our supporters and friends, near and far - and you joined us in acting on those beliefs.

As Alma enters its fourth year, we do so as a school with a cohesive model, strong culture and a growing track record that attests to the power of those original beliefs. We now know that when we combine the best practices of “no excuses” urban charter schools with Expeditionary Learning’s in-depth approach to teaching content, we see brilliant results. By traditional measures, our scholars are proving that they are no less capable than their more affluent peers. This past year’s third graders outperformed not only the state average on the math MCAS, but also most of the surrounding suburbs. Another measure of our scholars’ achievement is the high quality of the work they produce here. Anyone who reads our Kindergartners’ field guide to vernal pools, available at the Buzzards Bay Coalition Center downtown, is astounded by our young authors’ depth of knowledge and the level of detail in their scientific drawing (see Belief 4 for more examples of this kind of work).

As we look to the year ahead, we are focused on building Alma into an institution that outlasts any individual here today and that guides every single one of our scholars to high achievement. For our academic program, that means addressing our identified gaps. Many of our scholars, especially those in our lead cohort, are not yet strong enough writers to effectively communicate their increasingly sophisticated thinking. That’s why this year we’re increasing the emphasis on expository writing based on high level texts throughout our curriculum. From an organizational standpoint, building a lasting institution will mean further investment in our incredible teaching talent. By rapidly developing our new teachers and providing meaningful opportunities for our veterans to grow and lead, we will add to our phenomenal teaching team and build a deep bench for the future. Operationally, the year ahead holds the challenge of expanding our facilities to ensure we can provide space for our school as we nearly double in size over the next three years. We are excited about our recent purchase of our school building and its 2.3 acres of land, which is the first important step toward our long-term expansion.

We are pleased to present to you our Annual Report for the 2013 - 2014 school year. In it we’ve distilled our work down to Six Beliefs in Action. These are the guiding principles that make Alma the incredible school that it is today and the beacon that lights the way forward for the next part of our journey. If you have been with us these past three years, thank you for acting on your belief in the potential of our scholars. If you are new to Alma, let this report be an invitation to join our “crew.” The scholars and families on these pages look forward to your continued support as we commit to the challenging and fulfilling work ahead.

Sincerely,

Will Gardner Chris ArnoldExecutive Director Chair, Board of Trustees

6Beliefs in

Action

1 New Bedford kids can achieve at the same level as kids anywhere.Many believe that the correlation between high poverty and low academic achievement is immutable. At Alma, we challenge that belief. For our scholars, zip code does not determine destiny. Results of the 2013-2014 MCAS show that Alma scholars are already outperforming their peers in New Bedford and are performing on par with students in more affluent areas.

3rd

Gra

de

Ach

ieve

men

t le

vel*

% low income*Combined average percent scores proficient and advanced on third grade 2014 ELA and Math MCAS.

80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%40%

50%

60%

70%

80%Marion

Mattapoisett

Fairhaven

Dartmouth

Wareham

New Bedford

Fall River

Alma del Mar

Breaking the Pattern:Academic Achievement vs. Poverty

High Achievement/Low Income

Low Achievement/Low Income

High Achievement/High Income

Low Achievement/High Income

of our scholars will be the first in their family to graduate from a 4-year college.81%

Our Kindergarten scholars scored in the 99th percentile in reading and 97th percentile in math on a nationally normed test.*

Alma fourth graders outperformed their New Bedford peers by 14% in Math and 12% in Literacy.**

*ITBS 2014**MCAS % proficient and advanced

2An inclusive school is a stronger school.It is too often the case that those students with the greatest needs have been denied access to the most rigorous schools. Alma is a high quality educational option for those families who have traditionally had no other option but a failing neighborhood school. 79% of our scholars come from low-income families. Our percentage of English Language Learners is more than twice the local district average. And once our families experience education at Alma, they stay with us. Last year, our rate of attrition was less than 4%, far lower than most comparable urban charter schools.

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

25%22%18%

14%6% 8%

79%76%

38%

20%23%17%

MassachusettsNew BedfordAlma del Mar

Students withDisabilities

Low-IncomeEnglish LanguageLearner

First Languagenot English

Student ProfileMulti-Race,

Non-Hispanic, 7%

White, 29%

Hispanic, 44%

Asian,1%

African American,20%

“We chose not to leave New Bedford because of Alma.We were going to move, but then my son started at Alma. It’s such a wonderful school. I’m so thrilled with what he’s learned and how well he’s done. Alma del Mar is helping him become a well-rounded student and a well-rounded person.”

- Alma Parent

3Our teachers become great through hard work and practice.Great teachers are not born; they are made. With this in mind, we invest heavily in the support and training of our teaching talent. Alma teachers receive weekly one-on-one coaching meetings and feedback. In addition, our teachers receive 1 1/2 hours of targeted training every week. Our Associate Teacher Program develops newer teachers by allowing them to gradually take on more responsibilities alongside veteran colleagues.

Meet Ms. Palmieri, Kindergarten Lead Teacher“I started out as an Associate Teacher. The program offered me an opportunity to learn and be mentored by other classroom teachers. I thought this was an incredible opportunity for my development and growth as a teacher. I was observed and was provided with tons of feedback so that I could continue to get better. I gained much confidence in the classroom because the teachers were all so positive and supportive. The program gradually prepares you to take on a Lead position by the end of the year. You learn each day and take on responsibilities a little at a time. I hope that all of my students continue to be motivated to go above and beyond, to reach for their dreams, to live the life they all hope for.”

4The work scholars do today matters.In many schools, the student work ends up in the recycling bin at the end of the day. At Alma del Mar, we expect every scholar to do work of which they are truly proud. Our scholars complete multiple drafts of essays, critiquing each others’ work in order to improve its quality. We focus on real work.First graders learn about argumentative writing and then write letters to elected officials to advocate for change in their communities. Fourth graders study the Holocaust and then explore the role of stereotypes and prejudice in society. Our scholars do their best work because they know that it will be important to an audience beyond their classroom.

Opposite Page: second grade whale Expedition greeting card watercolor and text; Top Left: first grade American symbols Expedition greeting card art work; Top Right: third grade forces of nature Expedition field guide art work; Bottom Right: kindergarten vernal pools field guide Expedition art and text. All scholar work presented here was completed as part of an Expedition final product and involved research and the completion of multiple drafts.

The arts are not extras; they’re essential.Alma scholars are also artists and musicians. They study great painters such as Rothko, van Gogh and Warhol, and then create works in their style. They packed Gallery X downtown with an exhibit of their sculptures, watercolors, oil pastels, and pencil sketches. Music instruction begins in kindergarten and intensifies in 3rd grade, when every one of our scholars has the opportunity to take up a string instrument.5

Self Portrait in the Style of Vincent van Gogh, Katherine Veenstra, second grade

In 2014, The Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education named Alma del Mar a model school in the areas of Access and Equity, and Culture and Family Engagement.

6Parents care. It’s our job to engage them.At Alma, we’ve found that the secret to having engaged parents is to meet them where they are. That means we start the year by conducting home visits with every one of our families. With their school-issued cellphones, our teachers are on call every night. Parents and scholars don’t hesitate to call or text with even the smallest questions. Many of our parents also engage in service at Alma. Whether they are organizing uniform swaps, introducing new families to Alma with a pancake breakfast or attending our weekly Town Hall assembly, our parents model our mission of cultivating service-minded leaders.

99% of parents agree: “My scholar is learning what he or she needs to know to be on the path to college.”

97% of parents agree: “I feel welcome at Alma del Mar.”

95% of parents agree: “Alma offers me opportunities to be involved in my scholar’s education.”

June 2014 Parent Survey

“I truly feel blessed to have the opportunity to send my children to a school where they are not only receiving an excellent education, but are being mentored by a remarkable team of caring teachers and staff. Thank you, Alma del Mar, for everything you do for our children and for helping to ensure they have a bright future ahead of them!”

- Tracy Setzler Sylvia,mother of Ryleigh and Morgan, ‘27

Marguerite AleardiRachel ArrudaSallie BarkerBarbara BedellLaurence BedellDonna BourassaGilbert CabralMargo ConnollyAmanda ConstantBronwen CunninghamCarol DildinePriscilla Ditchfield Jason FalkPam GarnettChris GendronBarbara HaddadLinda LacroixSally LemelinSteven LePageMelissa LinharesLourenco LopesMadeleine McGuireKathy MelvenDrew NahigyanLynne Nahigyan

Kathe ParkerJane RiouxLecia SeablomAmy SeroussiMartha Cary Shuster Jan StewartMeredith SwanDamian SzulcAnne Zeigler

Alma del Mar greatly appreciates the support of volunteers. Volunteers fill many important roles in the Alma community, including assisting with office tasks, helping in the after school program, and serving as mentors.

Our mentors play a vital role in the social, emotional and academic development of our scholars. Mentors are volunteers from the community who meet weekly with the same scholar after school and develop a strong relationship with them over the course of the year.

The mentoring program is designed to reinforce what our scholars need most: the mindset and skills to be successful. Mentors act as an additional caring adult in scholars’ lives and provide them with crucial academic support. The relationship mentors form with their scholars will help scholars build their self-esteem and belief in their own potential.

For more information about our mentoring program, contact Cara Beller at carabeller@almadelmar.org.

We sincerely apologize if anyone has inadvertantly been omitted from the lists contained on this or any of the following pages.

VOLUNTEERS:

COMMUNITY PARTNERS:AHA! NightAlderbrook FarmAmericaReadsBlue Hill Meteorological ObservatoryBarry BurbankButtonwood Park ZooBuzzards Bay CoalitionClinton United Methodist ChurchCohen Center for Holocaust & Genocide Studies at Keene State CollegeCoggeshall Farm MuseumCommunity Boating Center, Inc.Connecticut Science MuseumCouncilor Steven MartinsD&D CaterersDelano LandscapingDibble & SonsDomino’s Pizza (Ashley Blvd.)Eastern FisheriesGallery XGiftstoGiveImmigrants’ Assistance CenterJeff KulieMelissa MasseMayor Jonathan MitchellMobile Loaves and FishesNew Bedford Art MuseumNew Bedford City CouncilNew Bedford Symphony OrchestraNew Bedford Whaling MuseumNormans’ Enterprises Construction Co.NorthStar Learning CentersOcean ExploriumOriginally StuartOur Sisters’ SchoolPlimoth PlantationPolished, LLCPreferred ConcreteProvidence Children’s MuseumRenovation RentalsRep. Robert KoczeraRJF DevelopmentRodrigues Brothers TowingRoger Williams Park ZooHalle RogersSchwartz Center for LearningSen. Mark MontignySharing the HarvestStonewall FarmSouthcoast Music TogetherTabor AcademySally TaylorTeach for America - MAUGLY GalleryUniversity of Massachusetts DartmouthWalmart - North DartmouthStephanie Weinraub

Whaling City Kids WrestlingWinbergs True ValueWorking Waterfront FestivalYMCA SouthcoastYogaKidsYWCA Southeastern MassachusettsZeiterion Performing Arts Center

Thank you for all you do for our scholars!

Fiscal Year 2014 IncomeTuition (MA Department of Education) $2,335,675Government Grants & Funding $213,148Nutrition Funding $128,317Private Support Funding $557,880Student Programs & Miscellaneous Fees $2,095Interest / Investment Income $291Total Income $3,237,407Fiscal Year 2014 ExpensesPersonnel Costs $1,528,516Administrative Costs $164,665Instructional Services $412,708Other Student Services $471,441Operation & Maintenance of Plant $211,833Other Fixed Charges $88,596Community Services $7,520Total Expenses $2,885,280

The cost of educating an Alma scholar this past year was approximately $13,750, excluding capital expenses. The public funding received was roughly $11,750 for each student. This left a funding gap of $2,000 per pupil, generously donated by private donors and foundations.

Your Support Government Funding

$2,000

$11,750

2015 Funding Sources Per Pupil

FOUNDATIONS & CORPORATIONS:Acushnet FoundationAmelia Peabody FoundationBristol County Savings Bank FoundationDaily GoodEastern Charitable FoundationEnable Hope FoundationGeorge H & Jane A Mifflin Memorial FundHarbor Oaks FoundationICF Business Operations CenterIsland FoundationJB Fernandes Memorial Trust IJim and Bess Hughes FundKendall Family FoundationLeonard & Hilda Kaplan Charitable FoundationLynch FoundationNew England Educational FoundationNorthStar Learning Centers, Inc.Patrick Carney Family FoundationRainy Day FundSeymour H Knox Foundation, Inc.St. Aidan’s ChapelTargetUpstream Foundation

PLATINUM STAR SCHOLAR SOCIETY ($10,000+):David & Victoria CrollAdelaide GriswoldLucile Pillow HicksJim & Bess HughesJohn & Doris LudesSteven & Martha Cary Shuster

GOLD STAR SCHOLAR SOCIETY ($5,000 - $9,999):Sidonie Haines

SILVER STAR SCHOLAR SOCIETY ($1,250 - $4,999):Chris & Patricia ArnoldToby BakerMary Jean & Bill Blasdale, in memory of Albert E PaladinoBarbara CookBronwen Cunningham & Robert BoothEd & Barbara Haddad, in memory of Susan Woodcock

Drew & Lynne NahigyanAlbert & Susan PaladinoKris & Jim TomlinsonHans & Anne Ziegler

BRONZE STAR SCHOLAR SOCIETY ($500- $1,249):Charles & Christina BascomMark & Elizabeth BonoKaryn & Ben CampbellElizabeth Chapin & John GrummonLoretto Crane, in honor of Arthur HuguleyPriscilla & Allan DitchfieldHon. Armand Fernandes, Jr. & Patricia FernandesMarguerite & Will GrahamJennifer & Rupert GranthamMarjorie & Nick GrevilleDavid & Maria HarringtonPrentiss & Polly HigginsHeidi & Arthur HuguleyLucy KeefeTrudy KingeryRandall & Elizabeth KunzLois PaisJohn PannellCharlie & Faith PaulsenDavid Prentiss & Lucy IannottiTom Quinlan

ALMA COLLEGE CHAMPIONS:AnonymousJonas Peter AkinsChris & Patricia ArnoldToby BakerCharles & Christina BascomMary Jean & Bill BlasdaleJoyce Louise CalnenKaryn & Ben CampbellSheila Powers ConverseBarbara CookDavid & Victoria CrollBob & Vickie CunninghamBronwen Cunningham & Robert BoothSteven & Cathy DeRossiJames & Carol Dildine Kathryn DinneenPriscilla & Allan DitchfieldMatthew & Diane DowneyWill & Laura GardnerMarguerite & Will GrahamJennifer & Rupert GranthamAdelaide GriswoldDavid & Maria Harrington

Lucile Pillow HicksJim & Bess HughesNan JohnsonMartha KayDennis KeefeLucy KeefeTrudy KingeryTed & Nancy KurtzJim Mathes & Lucy StrattanKathy MinnockDrew & Lynne NahigyanCharlie & Faith PaulsenDavid Prentiss & Lucy IannottiTom QuinlanMark RasmussenSteven & Martha Cary ShusterPaul SullivanKris & Jim Tomlinson

SUPPORTING DONORS:Anonymous, in honor of Alexander Santos, Jr.Anonymous, in honor of Angelea DepinaAnonymousJoseph & Marguerite AleardiLisa AmaralTerry AufrancSallie BarkerLarry & Barbara BedellHeather CampbellCharles & Kathy CarterRoger & Jane CheeverMark & Sackett Cook, in honor of Arthur HuguleyDeborah L DaiglePeter DeWaltTim DonohueTimothy DyerNancy & Jim Edwards, in honor of Arthur HuguleyArline & Roy EnoksenRussell & Laurie Fearing, in memory of George R FearingKathryn FordJennifer FrancisSeth & Dorothy GarfieldGail Coppins Gettens, in honor of Michael HirschfeldDavid Gilbertson & Carolee MatsumotoCynthia GoncalvesDr. Guillermo GonzalezSamantha GreenSandra & William HewittFrederic & Johanna HoodMichael & Ruth Jolliffe

Thank you to our 2013-2014 donors!

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Chair:Chris Arnold

Secretary:Mary Jean Blasdale

Treasurer:David Cabral

Members: Janice (Jan) BaptistBronwen CunninghamMartha KayJim MathesLucile (Cile) HicksKristine Tomlinson

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Chad BrubakerJohn CameraKaryn CampbellBarbara CookPriscilla DitchfieldEd HaddadJim HughesGerry KavanaughDennis KeefeJay LanaganJudith LiRob MassoudCarolyn OzcanDavid PrentissMark RasmussenRalf RhoMaria RosarioAnthony Sapienza

Linda LacroixBarry & Sherry LeiwantAllison R LorentzenRobert MassoudMichael & Jane McHenryBlaine & Claire O’ConnellElaine OstroffAndrew PappasJames & Kathe ParkerThe Pothier FamilyBill & Pauline RaposaCynthia Redel & Michael EspositoGenie & Don Rice, in honor of Alice Rice Perkins & Mark PerkinsJane & Peter RiouxScott & Anne RobertsonJoanna Ross & James ForrestAnthony R SapienzaMark Schmid, in honor of Arthur HuguleyCarlos SerpaTrisha SlatteryElliott & Antra ThrasherPeter WallaceNeal WeissLisa Yates

26 Madeira Ave.New Bedford, MA 02746Phone: 774-206-6827 Fax: 774-206-6833 Photo credits: Josephine Sittenfeld

Learn. Lead. Serve. Succeed!

info@almadelmar.orgwww.almadelmar.org