Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy Annual Report 2014

Together, we grow.

Together, We prove what is possible.

Together, We make an impact.

“The formula for success at BVP is pretty simple –

it’s a lot of hard work.” -Marielle Emet, Dean of Academics, BVP Middle School, and 2013 Milken Educator Award Recipient

02 | Letter from Board Chair & Executive Director

03 | Mission, Vision & Growth

06 | Points of PRIDE

07 | Intentional Diversity

09 | Scholars in the Spotlight

11 | Results

13 | Leaders in the Spotlight

15 | Future Growth

17 | Financial Summary

18 | Partners & Donors

1

Growing from 4 to 7 schools

by 2017.

Daniel McKee,Board Chair 2

LeTTeR fRoM BoARd ChAiR & exeCuTiVe diReCToR

“BVP is shoWinG

ThAT WiTh hiGh

exPeCTATions,

GReAT TeACheRs,

And MoRe TiMe,

ALL sTudenTs

CAn AChieVe AT

exTRAoRdinARiLy

hiGh LeVeLs.”

-JeReMy ChiAPPeTTA

Dear Friends,We are pleased to share with you Blackstone Valley Prep (BVP) Mayoral Academy’s 2014 Annual Report – our first!In 2009, a group of community and education leaders asked the question, “What would be possible if we could start a school from scratch?” At the start of the journey to find the answer, our doors opened with just one school and one grade – the very first mayoral academy to serve families in Rhode Island. It’s hard to believe that in only five years, BVP has four schools serving over 1,000 scholars and will grow to serve over 2,000 across seven schools by 2017. The short answer to the question originally posed in 2009 is this: “A ton!” Today, in 2014, BVP is serving as one proof point for what is possible in our communities and for our scholars and families across the state. BVP’s early and hard-won successes, combined with increasing demand from families in the Blackstone Valley, continue to indicate the need to offer more seats. In 2013, over 11,800 applications were submitted for around 1,300 open spots – not just for BVP, but for all Rhode Island public charter schools. At BVP in 2014, there were 1,935 applications for 185 seats.Motivated to do more, BVP will grow with a focus on creating more high quality seats to meet this demand. At scale, BVP will enroll more than 2,000 scholars across three elementary schools and three middle schools feeding into one high school. This level of expansion will better meet the demand within the Blackstone Valley – specifically, within the four communities BVP currently serves. In this report, we highlight our accomplishments in the 2013-14 school year, but we also look forward to the future, focusing on our growth and the continued exploration of what is possible. The truth is, we couldn’t do it without your support. Together, we grow. Together, we make an impact. Together, we prove what is possible.

Sincerely,

Jeremy Chiappetta,Executive Director

BVP’s Mission is To PRePARe eVeRy sChoLAR

3

mis

sio

n, v

isio

n &

gr

ow

th

BVP is proud to serve as one proof point for what is possible with high expectations, a longer day and school year, and a focus on helping every child prepare for success in college and the world beyond. BVP is a public, tuition-free network of schools that serves the families of Central Falls, Cumberland, Lincoln and Pawtucket. As a member of the Rhode Island Mayoral Academies (RIMA) network, BVP is governed by a Board of Directors that is chaired by the mayor of one of its sending communities.

Focused on the future of our state and economy, RIMA’s mayors advocate for high quality school choices that effectively prepare students to be successful in the careers of not just today, but also the future. BVP’s students – called scholars because of the extensive time they dedicate to their studies – are engaged in 21st century learning that will prepare them to be leaders in their communities.

In response to increasing demand for enrollment, BVP was approved by the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) to grow to operate seven schools – three elementary and three middle schools feeding into one high school – by 2017.

bvp family demand

BVP’s early success has led to increased demand and more enrollment applications

than there are seats available.

Successgrowth

demand

BVP’s Mission is To PRePARe eVeRy sChoLAR for suCCess in CoLLeGe And The WoRLd Beyond.

BVP’s current schools (as of 9/2014)

ElEmEntary School 1 Location: Cumberland Head of School: Kyle Quadros Grades: K-4 Scholars: 425

ElEmEntary School 2 Location: Cumberland Head of School: Colleen Colarusso Grades: K-3 Scholars: 328

middlE School Location: Lincoln Head of School: Joy Souza Grades: 5-8 Scholars: 333

high School Location: Cumberland Head of School: Jonathan Santos Silva Grade: 9 Scholars: 97

4

bvp family demand

Waiting List Enrolled

2008

2009

2010

2011

2013

2017

2014

RI passes mayoral academy legislation.

BVP ES1 launches with 76 kindergarteners.

BVP MS1 opens in Lincoln.

BVP ES2 opens in Cumberland.

To meet the needs of increasing demand, BVP grows to serve seven schools and over 2,000 scholars.

BVP opens its high school and builds a permanent home for BVP ES2.

BVP grows to serve 1,000 scholars and employ over 120 staff. BVP receives a five year charter renewal from RIDE.

With a sense of urgency and responsibility to offer more seats, BVP will grow to serve over

2,000 scholars, K-12, across seven schools.

Successgrowth

demand

our visionBVP will be a model of rigorous 21st century college and career preparatory public education that serves an intentionally diverse scholar population by

ensuring the academic, social and emotional growth, and health and wellness of all scholars;

investing and engaging families, staff and community;

fostering welcoming and accepting schools that promote individual achievement and supportive climate;

and will significantly improve the educational landscape in Rhode Island by

disseminating best practices;

collaborating with educational innovators, political leaders, and mayors throughout the sending districts, across the state and nationwide; and

proving what is possible for 100% of scholars.

5

Perseverance

respect

Discipline

Integrity

Enthusiasm

2013-2014 points of

BVP received a five-year charter renewal from the Rhode Island

Department of Education.

BVP had the highest percentage - 94% - of eighth grade scholars who

were proficient or proficient with distinction on the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) in math in the state!

BVP became home to the RI Co-Elementary Art Educator of the

Year and the prestigious, nationally recognized Milken Educator Award.

BVP was named a founding member of

the National Coalition of Diverse Charter Schools.

BVP received a $2.2-million award from the Charter School

Growth Fund to expand and serve more students.

BVP received a planning grant from Next Generation Learning

Challenges to design its blended learning high school. In May 2014,

BVP was awarded $450,000 to implement that model. BVP High

School opened in September 2014.

6

intentional diversity7

8

Asian

Black

Hispanic

White

3%

BVP Demographics

46%

38%

13%

BVP believes deeply in the importance of leveraging the intentional diversity of its school community:

The BVP network was one of seven schools profiled as a “successful example” of an integrated charter school in research published in May 2012 by The Century Foundation in conjunction with the Poverty & Race Research Action Council. The study found that socioeconomically and racially integrated schools are more likely to foster student achievement, social development and future employment.

BVP intentionally accepts students from four unique sending districts, two from the traditionally higher-income suburban communities of Cumberland and Lincoln and two from the predominantly lower-income communities of Pawtucket and Central Falls.

Most recently, BVP was one of 13 schools nationwide to become a member of the National Coalition of Diverse Charter Schools (www.diversecharters.org).

Valuing diversity is an organizational priority and a core belief shared across the network. Bringing together four neighboring communities gives scholars the opportunity to break boundaries across lines of racial and socioeconomic differences and learn in the same classroom.

“We are family, not by blood, but by a common goal and dream for the future. no matter what these children end up doing in life, they will have had the best foundation any community could hope for.”

-Marcia Costa, BVP ES1 family member

of BVP scholars qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

63%

9

Josianquianes

scholars in the

A lot of things would be different if I weren’t at BVP. I wouldn’t know the violin, I wouldn’t have friends, and I don’t think I would fit in at [another] school. People here are one of a kind, and teachers prepare students for college.

When attending community meetings with her parents, Alessandra translates and will even stand up and speak for her mother who is sometimes shy (like Alessandra). We are so proud of her initiative and courage.

–Alessandra’s first grade teacher, Ms. Rebekah Thibeault

At first I was struggling at BVP, but now I have turned it all around. Everyone has some secret talent, and teachers here get to know you, find it and push you forward until you succeed.

gradE: 8School: BVP MS scholarFavoritESubjEct: Math

gradE: 2School: BVP ES 2 scholarFavoritEbook: Snow Shapes by Judith Moffatt

gradE: 5School: BVP ES 1 alum BVP MS scholarcarEErgoal: Firefighter or Teacher

Alessandra uribe

oliviaLandry

10

enrichment: Olivia entered BVP as a kindergartner and hasn’t looked back. She is currently in the fifth grade. Olivia appreciates the rigorous academic preparation BVP provides, but she also loves going to art, music and P.E. With a longer day and a longer year, BVP offers each 2-3 times weekly. When asked what else she loves about BVP, Olivia will tell you that she feels especially thankful for being able to make friends with people from different communities, who she may not have met if she went to another school.

Love of Learning: Alessandra entered BVP at a STEP reading assessment level of one and was able to reach a level four by the end of her first year, which is a significant demonstration of growth. She has developed a love of learning both inside and outside of the classroom. Alessandra helps translate from Spanish to English for her parents in public places and has been known to help her fellow English language learning classmates to speak up more in class. One day, after helping her with homework, Alessandra’s father discovered that she had taught herself to read in Spanish, which he confirmed by asking her comprehension questions at home that she was easily able to answer.

Academics: When Josian came to BVP, he needed to work extra hard to meet BVP’s behavioral and academic expectations. By the seventh grade, his teachers will tell you that he became a model of what it means to be a BVP scholar. In addition to making significant academic gains, Josian began regularly engaging in class and supporting others, even becoming a frequent nominee for Mathlete of the Week, where scholars nominate peers for going above and beyond in math class.

spotlightBVP scholars are held to high standards in every way. The following scholars not only exemplify what it means to be a BVP scholar, but they also showcase the unique aspects of BVP’s program that make it successful, including a focus on academics, a love of learning, and enrichment courses.

Results

BVP exceeded the state average in every subject, in every grade

11

12

2013-2014 necap reading results*

6569

8083 83

7581

70 72 6974

67 65

5663

0

20

40

60

80

100

Blackstone Valley Prep

Rhode Island

Weighted Sending Districts

8th7th6th4th3rd

2013-2014 necap math results*

5256 59

6370

5259

78

49

59

73

57

43

94

80

0

20

40

60

80

100

Blackstone Valley Prep

Rhode Island

Weighted Sending Districts

8th7th6th4th3rd

70

80

90

100

70

80

90

100

0

3

6

9

12

15

StabilityRate (%)**

Attendance(%)

Chronicabsenteeism (%)

97

95 94

97 97

87

90

98

4

1513

3

BVP ES

StatewideElementary

BVP MS

StatewideMS

*5th grade results are for newly enrolled BVP scholars and not part of the BVP accountability system.

**Stability data tracks the percentage of students who stayed in the same school throughout the school year.

62%

100%

29%

The percentage of BVP sixth grade

ELLs scoring proficient was

62 points greater than the state

average for their ELL peers in

reading.

The percentage of BVP low-income

third graders scoring proficient

was 29 points greater than their peers across the state in math.

The percentage of BVP scholars

scoring proficient exceeded the

state average in 100% of grades for both reading

and math.

13

BVP Teacher of the year

AlysonChathamMs. Alyson Chatham has taught at BVP for four years. Over the last two years, she participated in The National Academy of Advanced Teacher Education (NAATE), which is a rigorous professional development program that brings together teacher leaders across the country to engage in case-based discussion about masterful classroom instruction and leadership.She graduated from Clark University with a degree in Psychology and concentrations in Peace and Conflict Resolution and International Studies. Ms. Chatham completed her Master of Arts in Teaching with a specialization in Urban Education at Clark.Ms. Chatham is BVP’s 2013-14 Teacher of the Year.

leaders in the

bvP is a community of people who are

actively committed to growth. on every level

of the organization, people take the time to

critically observe and reflect on strengths and

challenges. People at bvP constantly question

themselves, as well as their peers and leaders

in order to gain a deep understanding of how

every individual scholar best learns.

high school head of school

14

Jonathansantos silva

Mr. Santos Silva’s journey at BVP started when he joined the advisory committee tasked with setting the framework to design a BVP high school from scratch. Having always dreamed of leading his own school, Mr. Santos Silva was a natural fit for the role of High School Designer. He spent the 2013-14 school year traveling the country, visiting blended learning schools and working with teachers, professors and consultants to incorporate only the best practices as part of his model. Mr. Santos Silva is a Massachusetts native and a graduate of the D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University. He taught math at a Bureau of Indian Education school on the Pine Ridge Reservation of South Dakota before moving to Rhode Island to coach new teachers in K-12 classrooms throughout the state. A part of the Aspiring Leaders cohort at the Academy for Transformative Leadership, Mr. Santos Silva is now BVP High School’s Head of School.

leaders in the spotlight

the special thing about leading a

founding school is that you have the

opportunity to write your own story.

Every day is a new opportunity to create

a new future for your students. rhode

island is small, but our diversity at bvP is

a microcosm of america. What we build

here will work anywhere.

future growth15

32

32

16

As a public charter school, BVP believes in serving as one high quality school choice for the communities it serves. BVP’s track record of strong academic results — paired with the intentional diversity of its scholar population — is proving what is possible for every community across the state and across the country. If it works here, it can work anywhere.But this work is not possible operating in a bubble. BVP continues to partner with local community organizations and school districts to identify and implement best education practices and to learn from one another. In this way, BVP’s work is raising the bar for all schools and all students and making a large impact in the smallest state.By 2017, BVP will serve over 2,000 scholars across seven schools, grades K-12.

BVP is making an impact and proving what is possible.

elementaryschools

11

1

middleschools

highschool

Currently Open Opening August 2015 Opening August 2016 Opening August 2017

17

financial summaryRevenueState and Local Entitlement Funding $ 12,275,058 Federal Grants and Funding $ 991,027 Private Grants $ 1,079,615 Other $ 191,538 Total $ 14,537,239

ExpensesPersonnel $ 9,156,143 Facilities $ 1,237,753 Transportation $ 997,883Other (Non-Personnel) $ 1,773,466Total $ 13,165,245

84.4%

1.4%

7.4%6.8%

7.6%

13.5%

ExpensesRevenue

69.5%

State and LocalEntitlement Funding

Federal Grants and Funding

Private Grants

Other

Personnel

Transportation

Facilities

Other (Non-Personnel)

9.4%

18

bvp partnerships

bvp donors

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Brown University- Urban Education ProgramCentral Falls School DistrictThe Century FoundationCharter School Growth Fund

Civic BuildersHarry Kizirian Elementary School, ProvidenceHighlander InstituteLeadership Rhode IslandMacColl YMCA

National Coalition of Diverse Charter Schools Next Generation Learning ChallengesPrincipal Residency NetworkProject LEARN

Rhode Island Campaign for Achievement Now (RI-CAN)Rhode Island CollegeRhode Island FoundationRhode Island Mayoral AcademiesTeach For America

BVP is proud to have many partners that are integral to its success. To mention just a few, a special thank you goes out to the following:

The elementary third grade strings program was made possible by a donation from the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation. BVP is thankful for the generosity of its donors and partners who help support the important work of preparing scholars for success in college and the world beyond.

Got College?$1,000 & Above

BankRI Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation Timothy & Maria BrownJohn & Leticia Carter The Champlin Foundations Charter School Growth Fund Brad & Tiffany CollinsDonnelly’s Edwards Wildman Jeff & Sara Enright Fidelity Charitable Gift FundGregory & Tracy Fine Mark & Debbi FitzgeraldH.V. Collins Company Labonte Landscaping Lifetouch National School Studios The Louis Calder FoundationLowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation Michael & Dr. Susanna Magee WB Mason McAdams Charitable Foundation Susan Moore

Moses Afonso Ryan LTD Nellie Mae Education FoundationNext Generation Learning Challenges Jonathan & Stephanie Noris Rhode Island FoundationJames & Erika Sanzi Starkweather and Shepley Charitable FundSodexo

Perseverance$500-$999

Bank of America Civic Builders Durham Bus Services Michael & Patricia Cunningham Stephen & Marielle EmetAndrew & Tina Goodale JPA Technologies Victor Lombardi & Lisa BowieLuJean Johnson Memorial Hospital Medical Staff Brian Murphy & Christine LoseaJay NimmagaddaKimberly Noble Ocean State Rental John & Heather PicerneReebok International LTD Chris & Georgia Shaban

19

Respect$250-$499

Ai3 Architects T. Joseph AlmondJason & Michelle Boie Maryellen ButkeRichard & Julie CasimiroJeremy & Christie Chiappetta Churrascaria Marques Kate Crowe Kevin Egan Robert & Christine Feld Marcolino & Sandra Ferretti Ernie Frizzle Jacqueline Hazley HINT Water Hope Actions, Inc. Judith HughesJani-King Cleaning Company Kimberly Jallette John & Susan Kanakry Subrahmanyan & Suryavasavi KatralapalliAllison KeneallyDavid & Genny Lauck Robert & Jennifer LoPiccolo Jacob & Rachel McGuire Daniel & Susan McKeeMcKee Brothers Oil Neighborhood Health Plan of RI Ocean State Printers RXinsider John & Gayl SanziSteven & Katelyn SilvaRobert & Joy Souza The Home Loan Foundation The Law Offices of Kevin B. Murphy and Associates Tony Luis Auto Aleksandr & Eugenia VitkinChris & Jessica Waters Daniel WaughDelia Wilson

integrity$100-$249

Angelo’s Robert Ardrey Melissa & Bruce BuchananCaprichos Antiquenos Bakery Audrey & John CarrollJulio Castillo Central Falls Fire FightersColleen Colarusso Kathy Cote Brian & Paula Curti Matthew Espeut-Coyle & Sandra Coyle Felipe & Nancy Estrada Stephen & Lisa FlanaganJohn GeogheganKevin & Kathleen Goffe Stephanie Gonzalez Elizabeth GrahamThomas & Linda Guerin Mohammed Hachem & Nancy KassemHoward & Stacey JohnstonCheryl LapradeJennifer Larson Drew Madden Kevin MaddenMendon Wines & MoreBrian & Lori McEwen Christopher & Mary MearsRobert & Diane Morissette John Morton Robert Alfred & Lina Musayev Peter Nigro & Mary Joyce Paul & Carol Lyn ParkerMuhammad Qandil & Sadaf AliKyle Quadros Daniel & Melissa Rouette Teague ShoshRichard & Daria Sitkus Benjamin SmithSpin-Works Artin Taskin IIIThe Washington Trust CompanyUnited States of AmericaHector & Rosa Uribe

discipline$50-$99

Harper AcevedoTaiwo AdelaniMary Ankamah Matt & Lori BardenWhitney BatesKathryn Bendheim Courtney BernierNicole Biddle Brian & Carla Bouthillette Rafael & Diana BrandonRichard Buchanan Alex Calpa Nancy Carriuolo Robert & Shelly CartierThomas & Leslie ChoquetteTimothy & Elizabeth Colestock Jennifer CoteSilvia CuelloDave’s MarketplaceJune DanielJames DiossaPablo & Mizra Estrada Juan C. Flores Frances Fullam Donald GagnonKevin GallagherDiana GallegoJoshua & Ali Geballe Joshua Giraldo Edith Gutierrez Joshua & Ana HurdMichael & Lisa Iannetta James & Debra JadachJill KellyJill Larsen Eric & Sandra Leclair Corinne Lepore Tony Lepore Noel Linback Venus & Vrishali Lopes Kathryn McBride Jim & Melissa McKee Jill McNichols Luke & Jennifer Morin Eladia Nuñez Ocean State Be YogaFolajimi OlagundoyeIris Ortega Didier ParejaStephen & Kelly Parmentier Cesar Peña & Edith Ibarra JoAnn Provencher Donald & Lisa ProvencherJean Quigley Christine ReiCarlos Ribeiro & Tammi JohnsonTia Ristaino-Siegel Rock Spot Climbing Jorge & Catarina Santos Jonathan & Vichara Santos Silva Elsa Segura

Michael & Holly St. Pierre Christine TavaresElizabeth Tavares Evelyn Taveres John & Lynne TeccaVictor & Emily Tomas Kevin & Tracy Walton Gerald ZaniNoralba Zapata

enthusiasm$25-$49

Antonio & Lani AgudeloOrfilia AlbaranBenilde Alger Dawn Baker Milena BarriosLisa BenevidesLetticia BenitezRalph & Jessica BrownJess Bunnell Elizabeth Cabral Michelle CarbonneJohn CostaMarcia Costa Angelica CruzDave & Busters Nicole DelanosDavid DelanosCarolina DiazMichael & Rosemary DunnKeith & Lindy Fregeolle Lina GarciaJocelyn GatlinTrisha GloriaChristina GoodaleFredy & Eliana GomezKatelyn GuignardEdison GutierrezJ Gray’s Family Tavern Chad & Catherine JohnsonShane & Alicia Kelleher John & Tracy Larose Lesly Leon Ruth LincolnBenjamin & Sarah Mahler Tiffani MarroMastery Martial ArtsLisa McDevittKim Monteiro Lindy MuracaRoseanne Nadeau Ken OsbornSebastian Pastor Polar Beverages Jody Pryor Elizabeth SantiagoShelly SencarDircia Silva Eric & Sharon Stager Bruno Tente Elmer Urugutia Keri Wujucik

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Donations listed are for Fiscal Year 2014, which runs July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014.

This generosity does not include the thousands of volunteer hours, direct classroom

in-kind donations and donations through DonorsChoose.org. Thank you to everyone who has supported BVP in ways both big and small.

BVP Board of directors

Hon. Daniel McKee, Chair

Hon. T. Joseph Almond

Julie Casimiro

Hon. James Diossa

Joshua Giraldo

Michael Magee, Ph.D.

John R. Morton, M.D.

Jessica Waters

Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academywww.blackstonevalleyprep.org

Thank you for your continued support!