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Council of Great City Schools Conference

October 28, 2011

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An engaging educational approach that will contribute to the well-being of each middle school and our community by:

Attracting new students Encouraging businesses to invest Providing a high quality curriculum Developing a talented and highly skilled

workforce

Middle School Renaissance Initiative

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Student Membership 24,010 (as of 10/10)Ethnic Breakdown

African American 83%Native American <1%Asian <1%Hawaiian <1%Hispanic 6.6%White 9.2%Other <1%

Elementary class size (K-3) 16:1-18:1(4-5) 22:1

Middle/High class size 22:1Exceptional Ed population 19.0%Free/Reduced Lunch 75% (as of June 2011)

RPS Demographics

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RPS has 46 Schools

◦ 24 of the 28 Elementary Schools are Title I

◦ All 8 Middle Schools are Title I

◦ 2 of the 8 High Schools are Title I

◦ 1 Military Academy serving grades 6-12

◦ 1 Center-Based Exceptional Education School

RPS Snapshot

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RPS middle schools have made progress:◦ 46% of middle school students enrolled in high school courses

(Algebra I, Geometry, Earth Science, 9th Grade English & Biology) for the 2010-11 school year

◦ Increase in foreign language offerings to include Chinese, Japanese & Latin

◦ Establishment of a leadership academy◦ Implementation of a citywide International Baccalaureate

Middle Years Program◦ Expansion of middle school athletics

Our work is not done!

Our Middle Schools

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Partnering for Excellence Program - Leadership Training

Thematic Middle Schools

Student Mentoring

Extended Day Opportunities

Middle School Renaissance Components

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Nine senior corporate executives have committed to serve as mentors to middle school principals.

Senior executives matched with an RPS middle school principal based on interests and strengths.

Workshops will be conducted by corporate executives.

Partnering for Excellence Program -Leadership Training

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Principal Assessments - 360 Survey- Myers- Briggs Type Indicator- Personality Profile- Case Study

Monthly Circle Meetings

Principal Competency Model

Adopted From Carmax

Partnering for Excellence Program

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Research indicates students’ academic performance increases when presented with educational content that is relevant to the world around them.

Richmond Public Schools created themes that will benefit student achievement.

Partnerships are developed with local businesses and non-profits that build on the strengths of these themes.

Thematic Middle Schools

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Binford Visual ArtsBoushall BusinessLucille Brown Global AffairsElkhardt World LanguagesFranklin Military Public ServiceHenderson Legal Studies & FinanceAlbert Hill LeadershipMartin Luther King Arts & Health SciencesThompson Science, Technology,

Engineering, & Math – STEM

Thematic Middle Schools

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Coordinated by Communities in Schools (CIS) with school mentor coordinator

Commitment from business partners

Mentoring Options:

Tier I - 1 to 1 Mentors

Tier II - Higher Achievement Mentors at Boushall and Henderson

Tier III - Enrichment and Extended Day Opportunities

Student Mentoring Program

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Each business partner selected a key coordinator who solicits student mentors and coordinates with school student mentor coordinator.

RPS Grant Manager and Partnering Specialist meet with key coordinators and provide an overview with business partners and their staff who are interested in being mentors for students.

Student Mentoring Program

One to One Mentoring During School

Provide tutorial assistance to 6th graders in mathematics and reading (curriculum provided by Richmond Public Schools)

October through June: One hour per week◦ Monday - Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Specific day and time based on mentor’s availability◦ Approximately 2.5 hours of initial training provided by VA

Mentoring Partnership

Extended Day/Enrichment Activities After School

Volunteers will work with middle school students in the after-school program utilizing the Extended Day curriculum provided by RPS

October through June: One and a half hours per week◦ Monday – Thursday from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

(Specific day and time based upon volunteer’s availability) ◦ Approximately 2.5 hours of initial training provided by VA

Mentoring Partnership

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Develop data collection tools

Administer Gallup Student Poll (measuring student

engagement, hope & wellbeing)

Monitor outcomes every nine weeks with stakeholders

Students track their outcomes

Middle School Renaissance Outcomes

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Increased Student Achievement

Increased Student Engagement

Improved Student Attendance

Decreased Disciplinary Infractions

Improved School Climate

Increased Student Enrollment

Increased Student Retention

Middle School Renaissance Expected Outcomes