IMPACT V1I2 by IDEA Public Schools

IMPACT A magazine for IDEA students and families

COME TO CLASS

WITH US!

Tweet #impactbyIDEA upon receipt!

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2 – WINTER 2014-15 1

IDEA SCHOOLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS IDEA PUBLIC / ACADEMY: K-5

TABLE

CONTENTS ACADEMY: K-5 LEARNING AT IDEA OUR BEST IDEA YET

AR ZONE

K – 5 students get the best of both worlds: teacher-led instruction and technology-based learning

Students become Accelerated Readers at IDEA

iLEARNING HOTSPOT

DROP EVERYTHING & READ (DEAR)

The amazing educational arcade

Reading is the key to lifelong learning

ACADEMY MATHEMATICS

When it comes to math, we don’t just do the easy problems. We go for the gold.

ON THE COVER

IDEA Quest students Lian Gonzales (12th), Sarah Bartels (4th) and Daniel Cantu (6th) walk the halls.

43 Top to Bottom: Reianna Williams (IDEA Allan - 2nd Grade) ; Destiny Villarreal (IDEA College Prep Brownsville - 6th Grade) ; Tyler Powers (IDEA Academy Donna - 3rd Grade)

IDEA SCHOOLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS IDEA PUBLIC / ACADEMY: K-5

IMPACT A magazine for IDEA students and families

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Annie Sykes

COLLEGE PREP: MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL THE COLLEGE PREP LIFE

Our college prep programs take independent learning to the next level

WORLD CLASS CLASSES

Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and other fancy names for excellent courses

CATALYST

The goal is the same – the path and pace may be different. Catalyst meets our older students at their level and helps them grow.

THE ROAD TO COLLEGE

Preparing our students for college success

ART DIRECTOR Alexandria Rivera

EDITOR-AT-LARGE Searcy Milam

22 INSTRUCTION LEADERS CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER Dolores Gonzalez

VP OF ELEMENTARY PROGRAMS Leslie Whitworth

DIRECTOR OF SECONDARY PROGRAMS Michael Franco

2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA AUTHORS

Much more than a monthly writing contest

DIRECTOR OF INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING Pablo Mejia

COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? Email marketing@ideapublicschools.org

HEALTHY KIDS HERE!

Promoting health and wellness for life

IDEA ACROSS TEXAS

Austin, San Antonio, Rio Grande Valley

42 48

IMPACT MAGAZINE IDEA Public Schools San Antonio | Rio Grande Valley | Austin

IDEA SCHOOLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS IDEA PUBLIC / ACADEMY: K-5

WELCOME Dear IDEA Team & Family, How much IDEA Public Schools stuff have you and your children collected during your time with us – uniforms, sweatshirts, folders, handouts, pens, and more? We bet a lot of it says: College for All Children. Why do we put it everywhere? Because to us, it’s everything. A focus on College for All Children reflects our founding belief: With the right support and structure, each student can be successful in college and in life. The slow reader, the human calculator, the visual learner, the science buff, the nature lover, the careful listener. From a Kindergartener to a senior to an IDEA alum and college graduate – each one learns in a unique way. Our job is to keep that learning alive. How do we accommodate such diverse learning styles and interests? We have a saying here at IDEA: “The goal is the same: college. The path and the pace may be different.” To match all the paths and paces, we’ve created an innovative academic program that blends traditional classroom instruction with technology-based learning. We’ve customized that model for each grade level. In this way, we have become a school system that supports all learning styles at each stage of life. But what does that actually look like for your children? Or for our own children, who also attend IDEA? We’re glad you asked, because that’s what we’re going to show you in this second issue of IMPACT Magazine. In this issue, you will see from the eyes of both students and teachers how our students receive excellent, teacher-led instruction. You will learn about our blended learning spaces, which our students visit for regular access to personalized educational technology. You will read how our programs support students who struggle, challenge those who excel, and meet the needs of those in between. And it doesn’t stop there. Throughout this magazine, IDEA families old and new will learn how we at IDEA Public Schools keep our promise of College for All Children from kindergarten to college graduation.

Tom Torkelson Founder and CEO

JoAnn Gama Co-Founder, President, Superintendent

Students in the iLearning HotSpot at IDEA Brownsville College Prep

IDEA SCHOOLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS IDEA PUBLIC / ACADEMY: K-5

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS CREATES INDEPENDENT, LIFELONG LEARNERS WHO ARE SUCCESSFUL IN COLLEGE & BEYOND! INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING

CORE CURRICULUM

13-16+ 9-12

AP COURSEWORK

6-8

AP PREPARATION

3-5

IDEA LITERARCY & MATH

K-2

DIRECT INSTRUCTION

College Prep CATALYST

Academy

BLENDED LEARNING

COLLEGE & BEYOND

IDEA SCHOOLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS IDEA PUBLIC / ACADEMY: K-5

Academy IDEA

K-5 Learning at IDEA Public Schools

Big Learning. Little People.

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

Better IDEA A two-part formula

100%

EVERY DAY!

Excellent Teachers

Smart Technology

Better Learning

DEA’s elementary academic program is called Better IDEA. Better IDEA is a two-part formula: Excellent teaching plus individualized practice equals academic success. With Better

IDEA, teachers lead instruction in small groups, so students are taught at their own level. Then, students head to our Blended Learning spaces – the AR Zone for reading and the iLearning HotSpot for math – for just-right independent practice. The name Better IDEA comes from the concept that individualized learning is simply better for kids. We recognize that each student’s journey of getting to and through college is unique. Better IDEA puts each student first by making sure they find a learning path specific to their needs, interests, and goals. Students who need more support experience the joy of learning in the Better IDEA program. The feeling of “I don’t get it” is erased when learning opportunities are tailored to the individual. Likewise, individualized learning offers the same benefit to students ready for advancement: A math whiz develops her numeracy skills and a future doctor reads non-fiction biology books. And the best part of all: With the data and flexibility Better IDEA affords teachers, our outstanding teachers can meet each student’s need exactly. When students learn on their own path and pace, magic happens.

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

AR ZONE (ACCELERATED READER)

“ONCE YOU LEARN TO READ, YOU WILL BE FOREVER FREE.” - Frederick Douglass

Destiny Villarreal (IDEA College Prep Brownsville - 6th Grade)

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

HOW TO

BE AN ADVANCED

READER!

First, cozy up with a good book in your personal reading carrel. You can bring a few with you in case you finish your first one.

Now, crack that book’s spine and dive in. Did you know reading can take you to a whole new world? Savor every last word from start to end.

Don’t understand something in your book? Use strategies from your ELA class to get to the bottom of it.

Finished? Did you like it? It helps to think about what you’ve read for a little bit after you’re done.

Now let’s earn some AR points! Head over to the computer and log in to your personal AR dashboard.

Search for your book and find the reading comprehension quiz. Good luck!

First question? Nailed it! Second, third, fourth, fifth… all the way to the end. You did it!

Did you score 85% or higher? If so – way to go! If you didn’t, plan your next steps to improve your understanding.

Pat yourself on the back. Another successful day as an IDEA Advanced Reader! Top to Bottom: Sofia Lucio (IDEA Academy Brownsville - 1st Grade) ; Oscar Hernandez (IDEA Academy Brownsville - 1st Grade)

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

iLearning HotSpot The amazing educational arcade

mazing educational arcade, or IDEA Public Schools’ iLearning HotSpot? If you guessed the second one, you’re right. But if you guessed the first one, you’re not far off either.

iLearning HotSpots allow our young mathematicians to get deep into math. With engaging educational software programs such as Reasoning Mind and Dreambox, students can push their math ability, master their numeracy skills, and get practice with tricky concepts. Furthermore, iLearning HotSpot lessons align with both state standards and the

Students visit the iLearning HotSpot on a rotating schedule, usually two to three times a week. Facilitators are on hand to help out when needed and celebrate individual and class-wide progress. Most iLearning HotSpots have posters showing each visiting group’s progress. If you’re ever lucky enough to be in a HotSpot when a new mastery sticker is added to the poster, you’ll be amazed at the grins seen around the room.

classroom curriculum. This means that by playing fun math games and tracking their progress, our students are getting themselves ready for standardized tests. The best part? All of this practice happens at each student’s “exactly right” level – the sweet spot (or should we say HotSpot?) between boring and overwhelming.

iLearning HotSpot. Math practice, but with fun computer games. Mastery tracking, but with stickers and celebrations. A teacher who helps students if needed, but knows they’re ultimately driving their own progress. It’s got everything an arcade would have, only it’s better for your brain.

“THE IMPACT ON OUR SOCIETY OF THE COMPUTING REVOLUTION

Students in the iLearning HotSpot at IDEA College Prep Brownsville

IS SIMPLY BREATHTAKING -- IT HAS CHANGED THE WAY WE WORK, PLAY, LEARN, AND COMMUNICATE.”

- Bill Gates

BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION

A longtime supporter of IDEA Public Schools!

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

4x5

w A=lxw

c a

2+ 1 5 5

r A = π r2

Carlos Garza (IDEA College Prep Brownsville - 6th Grade)

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

Students reading at IDEA Academy Monterrey Park

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

L to R: Arpona Rountree (IDEA Walzem - 1st Grade) ; Ayaan Bhakta, Soraya Suarez, Adrian Torres (IDEA Academy Monterrey Park - Kindergarten) ; Anthony Walker (IDEA Academy Brownsville - 1st Grade)

“Neuroscientists have discovered that reading a novel can improve brain function on a variety of levels.” – Psychology Today, 2014

“Reading enjoyment has been reported as more important for children’s educational success than their family’s socio-economic status.” – Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, 2002

“Although the cornerstone for lifelong reading is laid in the early years, we also know that it is never too late to start reading for pleasure.” – Sheldrick-Ross, McKechnie & Rothbauer, 2005, for the National Literacy Trust

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

t’s long been established that reading is not only good for children – it’s fun for them. Any quick internet search on the subject returns hundreds of thousands of articles that say the same thing: The more kids read, the more they love it. And for good reason! Reading lets children explore worlds from Bali to Brownsville, meet people from Harry Truman to Harry Potter, and imagine

ideas from time travel to treasure hunting. When children learn to love books through reading what they like, they’re set up for a lifetime of brain power. All of this is true even for struggling readers. Take the story of Steve Gardiner, former Montana Teacher of the Year and author of many books on reading, and his class. Mr. Gardiner proved how reading for pleasure can make a huge difference. As a brand new teacher, Mr. Gardiner was put in charge of a reading and writing course for students who had repeatedly failed English. From the very first day, his students made clear how much they disliked reading. Mr. Gardiner wasn’t surprised – if all their previous experiences with reading had been failures, it was no wonder they were reluctant to dive in. But he was a true believer in the power of reading. He knew that getting his students to love books would not only help them in English class, but also in their other subjects, and for a long time to come. Despite disagreement from his principal (who believed time devoted to “just reading” in school was a waste), Mr. Gardiner started a daily Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) program. For 15 minutes each day, his students would read books they had chosen for themselves. The difference was dramatic and immediate. Before the SSR program, getting the class settled was a nightmare – the kids were late, loud, or both. Within a few week of SSR, students couldn’t wait to get to their seats to read. Engagement in the classroom was at a high, and performance in both reading and writing improved. By simply allowing time to read for pleasure, Mr. Gardiner did for his students what their former teachers could not. He made them want to read. Mr. Gardiner’s story – and the wealth of research on reading for pleasure – has been an inspiration to us here at IDEA.

DEAR at IDEA This year, we’ve taken a page from Mr. Gardiner’s book and started a Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) period. This is an uninterrupted, 30-minute period for reading and reading only. DEAR happens each time our first through seventh grade students visit the AR Zone. This means that they’ll be digging into their favorite books for half an hour several times a week. What exactly does DEAR look like at IDEA? First, when students get to the AR Zone, they have a few minutes to get situated. This involves choosing a book, picking a spot to read, settling in, and gettting comfortable. Students can choose from shelves upon shelves of books in our AR Zones. We coach our students on picking books that are a good fit – books that capture their interest and match their reading level. After the students settle down, the AR Zone facilitator announces that DEAR has begun.

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

Students sink into their books. They get lost in stories about robots and mermaids, fourth graders and superheroes, neighborhoods like theirs and places that are worlds away. And because the books they choose are at exactly the right level, tricky words and boring plots are few and far between. This allows our students to give their undivided attention to the joy of reading a good book. At the close of DEAR time, students who have finished their books head to the computers to take an Accelerated Reader (AR) quiz. These quizzes give students insight into their reading comprehension – an 84% or below means they may need to read more carefully. An 85% or above? They got it! After each successful quiz, students are awarded points. The more advanced a book, or the better the quiz score, the more points are given. Throughout the school year, students can “cash in” their points for various prizes. (Ultimately, we want students to love reading for the sake of reading. Until then, a little prize doesn’t hurt!) Ayaan Bhakta (IDEA Academy Monterrey Park - Kindergarten)

DEAR at Home! You can DEAR at home, too! Reading with

Show us how you DEAR at home!

your children sets a great example. In today’s age of electronics and extracurricular

Snap a picture of your “reading routine” –

activities, finding the time to read with your

whatever your family does to read together

kids can be hard. But it’s worth it. According

outside of school. Then, post it on Instagram,

to the non-profit group Reading is

Facebook, or Twitter with the hashtag

Fundamental, reading to and with your

#DEARforIDEA. We’ll collect photos between

children a little each day is the best way to

now and February 28, and then announce the

turn them into lifelong readers. Plus,

winner on our social media pages.

reading together is a great way to spend one-on-one time.

Drop Everything and Read… and then share it!

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

Academy MATHEMATICS Personalized

Rigorous

Fun

isit any IDEA Academy math classroom around the network. What will you see? Smart, personalized, and rigorous math instruction. What will you not see? Our math teachers letting any students off the hook with those tough math problems! At IDEA, we know that the hardest problems are the ones we learn the most from. We also know that solid numeracy skills are vital to lifelong success, even in careers that may not require math often. That’s because mathematics is not just numbers – it’s the ability to recognize patterns, explain changes, and predict outcomes. It’s a foundation for lifelong, independent learning. To prepare our elementary school students for both easy and tough questions, we use a combination of classroom instruction and educational technology to encourage strong mental math and procedural skills. With research-backed curriculum and the iLearning HotSpot, we can be sure our kids are on-track. You’ve already heard about the iLearning HotSpot. Our classroom programs include Direct Instruction (DI) – a math curriculum we use in Kindergarten through second grade – and our own IDEA Math program, which we developed in-house to prepare our 3 – 5 students for the Texas STAAR test.

MS. VANESSA GUTIERREZ SPEAKS PORTUGUESE, SPANISH, AND ENGLISH, BUT HER FAVORITE LANGUAGE IS MATH.

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

This is abundantly clear in her second grade classroom at IDEA South Flores in San Antonio, where students are mastering addition, subtraction, number families, money, skip counting, counting by fives, and other foundational skills. Ms. Gutierrez knows the importance of early numeracy, so she doesn’t waste a minute of the time she gets with her students. Her ability to maximize classroom learning time is astonishing. She knows that saving a few minutes each day can add up to serious academic gains. Every moment is a math moment. Students enter her classroom and open their books in the blink of an eye. How do they know which page to be on so quickly? They’ve taken a few seconds at the end of the last lesson to mark their places. No more waiting for everyone to flip to page 32. As Ms. Gutierrez leads the lesson, she moves around the room constantly, monitoring and encouraging. She calls out the rare unengaged student not with a consquence, but with a question: “José! What’s 2 + 17?” José quickly answers and is back in the lesson. Ms. Gutierrez doesn’t even let “lining-up time” go to waste. As students file into place at the back of the classroom, they are peppered with fast facts: “9 + 8? 17! 20 – 4? 16!” She knows that fluency with facts makes all other math easier, so she often fills procedural time – lining up and packing up, for example – with fun fast fact games. The kids love it – and so does she!

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

IDEA

College Prep Middle School, High School, and Beyond

Rigorous Coursework

Sports, Arts, Music after school.

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / COLLEGE PREP: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

Arturo Sanchez (left) and Rogelio Terran (IDEA College Prep Weslaco Pike - 6th Grade)

College for All Children Grades 6 - 12 at IDEA take college preparation to the next level. IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / COLLEGE PREP: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

Constantine Polites (IDEA College Prep South Flores - Principal)

COLLEGE PREP At IDEA, “College Prep” refers to both middle school and high school – the years when college is within reach and preparation is paramount. During these years, students transition from the teacher-led, foundational knowledge environment of Academy to a world where students drive their own learning. During this noticeable transition, students are supported by teachers, support staff, and school leaders who are fully committed to sending all students to college. IDEA South Flores College Prep – home of the Owls – was founded in San Antonio in 2013. Principal Constantine Polites had been with IDEA at the College Prep level for several years before that. From teacher to assistant principal to school leader, he’s an expert on how IDEA serves its middle and high school students. Read on for Mr. Polites’s bird’s eye view of College Prep life here at IDEA, from coursework to college tips to Catalyst (read more about Catalyst on page 26).

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / COLLEGE PREP: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

L to R: Nick Marmolejo (IDEA Walzem College Prep - 6th Grade Math Teacher) ; Daniel Estrada (IDEA College Prep Brownsville - 6th Grade) ; Christy Ramirez (IDEA College Prep Weslaco Pike - 6th grade science/humanities teacher) with Lauren Jones (IDEA Colllege Prep Weslaco Pike - 6th Grade)

typical day at IDEA South Flores College Prep begins with a balanced breakfast served in homeroom. After the South Flores Owls have had their fill, they begin a morning meeting. This is a time for teachers and students to talk about the non-academic side of being an IDEA

student – the skills, attitudes, and character traits they need to do well in life. “They can get pretty deep,” says Mr. Polites about morning meeting talks. “They talk about things from managing your anger and resisting peer pressure to thinking creatively and showing persistence. Succeeding in college takes more than book smarts – it takes things like perseverance, creativity, and the ability to make good choices. Over and over. We have to carve out time to talk about it.” Character discussions happen all across our network, in morning meetings and in other ways. Our goal is to give all children the chance to thrive in life, and this means personal development just as much as academic preparation. After morning meeting, IDEA South Flores students start their academic day. They hit all the core subjects: : English, science, social studies, math, and a foreign language. Students also have Catalyst, a daily period where each IDEA scholar gets individualized learning time – either from a teacher or through an educational software program – for a chance to learn at their own pace (fast, slow, or somewhere in between - whatever’s right for them!). This is the standard at all IDEA schools, although the schedule and exact structures look a little different across campuses. Even with their differences, the goal of each IDEA College Preparatory School remains the same: On graduation day, every student will leave IDEA fully ready for college. After school, students at IDEA South Flores can participate in a variety of extracurricular activities. Soccer, Student Council, and Young Rembrandts – an after-school art course – are popular choices. Across IDEA, students can join interest-based clubs, student leadership clubs, sports teams (the RGV’s IDEA Donna and IDEA San Juan both went to the state championships in volleyball and flag football, respectively, this year – congratulations to the Titans and the Saints!), and much more. At IDEA, we encourage extracurricular activities. They allow students to build leadership skills, gain community engagement experience, and be able to explore their interests with their friends in a safe setting. Mr. Polites – and all our College Prep teams around the network – work hard to make middle through high school at IDEA a great place to grow and learn. From breakfast to biology to basketball, our College Prep campuses prepare our students to be well-rounded, successful citizens.

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / COLLEGE PREP: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

AP FOR ALL

Advanced Placement Courses at IDEA

Janice Rogers (IDEA College Prep Monterrey Park - 6th Grade)

dvanced Placement courses – what your child will call his or her “AP classes” – are the backbone of IDEA’s high school curriculum. AP courses are known first and foremost for being rigorous: They’re taught essentially at a college level. They’re tough, because so

is college. But they’re also fun! Students can dive deep into rich topics such as macroeconomics, biology, European history, and calculus. What’s more, research has shown that students like ours who take AP courses in high school are more likely to earn their college degree. Amazing learning opportunities plus a boost toward college graduation? Sign every student up!

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / COLLEGE PREP: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

(IDEA Quest College Prep - 8th Grade)

Juan Medina

(IDEA Quest College Prep - 12th Grade)

Melissa Reyes

PRE-AP STUDENT AT IDEA QUEST

AP STUDENT FEATURE AT IDEA QUEST

In middle school, IDEA students take classes that prepare them for the rigor of Advanced Placement courses. Juan Medina, an 8th grade student at IDEA Quest, gives us his take on Pre-AP at IDEA.

We sat down with Melissa Reyes, a student at IDEA Quest College Prep who is taking five AP classes this year: AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Government, and AP English Literature. She gave us some insights into what it’s like to take Advanced Placement Courses at IDEA.

On high expectations: “Our teachers expect way more from us in middle school than in elementary. I think they do this to show us that in college, grades are permanent. You can’t do badly on a test in college and then re-take it – you have to do it right the first time. So I’ve been taking studying way more seriously now than I used to.” On getting ready for high school: “In 8th grade we spend a lot of time learning study skills that will help us in high school and college. Organization is a big one. In history, we have ‘notebook checks’ during each unit where the teacher looks over our notebooks to be sure our notes are strong and everything is in the right place. I know in high school, with AP classes and after-school clubs and sports, I’m going to need to be organized to tackle it all.”

On the level of rigor: “AP classes are definitely tough. But my teachers are awesome. That’s what’s great about being in a small school: if there’s ever something we don’t get, or if we need extra tutoring, our teachers will literally bend over backwards to help us. They always have time for me, whether it’s just explaining a concept again or giving me extra practice. And I think it’s good that AP classes are challenging, because they’re supposed to prepare us for college. I don’t want the easy way.” On feeling prepared for college: “I really think my AP classes have prepared me for college. I mean – college will definitely be harder. But what these classes have taught me is how to stick with a challenging class. I’ve learned to study hard and keep up with the work, so I know I can do that in college, too. And also, our AP teachers have high expectations for us. They push us to take responsibility for our learning and our work, because that’s what we have to do in college.” On her favorite class: “I thought I wanted to be a doctor until I took AP Government. Now, I know that I want to work in government. I love learning about the systems and people – I get lost in it! And there are so many issues that need to be solved right now. Tomorrow is the end of our unit on how a bill becomes a law, and we get to present a fake bill that we wrote. Mine is about creating these things I called CEAHs – Centers to Eliminate Animal Homelessness – because we have so much of that in my community. I love animals. Fun fact: I recently convinced my friend to be a vegetarian with me!”

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / COLLEGE PREP: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

International Baccalaureate The rigor of AP with an international flavor

L to R: Alexia Alonso (IDEA College Prep Donna - 12th Grade), Chrischelle Navalta (IDEA College Prep Donna - IB Theory of Knowledge Teacher) ; Anthony Cortez (IDEA College Prep Donna - 11th Grade) ; Sy Perez (left) and Sonia Gonzalez (IDEA College Prep Donna - 11th Grade)

tudents at all IDEA schools take AP courses, but IDEA Donna, our flagship IDEA school, is also a designated International Baccalaureate (IB) school. A second IDEA school – IDEA Frontier in Brownsville – is currently in the process of getting their own IB designation.

What does IB mean, and how is it different from AP? Both programs offer rigorous coursework, both can apply toward college credit, and both look great on students’ resumes. The educational goals are slightly different for AP and IB. AP offers single courses (such as AP Spanish or AP Environmental Science), whereas the IB curriculum is more interconnected and cross-disciplinary. For example, IB students may learn about the Industrial Revolution in history, English, and science courses, simultaneously. And, IB courses emphasize global thinking – seeing patterns across many cultures and throughout history. IDEA Donna and Frontier are proud to offer their students access to the International Baccalaureate program as well as Advanced Placement.

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / COLLEGE PREP: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

“I LOVE THE IB PROGRAM. IT TEACHES STUDENTS HOW TO THINK GLOBALLY.” – Ulises Manzano, IB Spanish teacher at IDEA Donna

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / COLLEGE PREP: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

Catalyst cat · a · lyst \ka-tə-ləst\

a person or event that quickly causes

change or action

Daniel Favila (IDEA College Prep Weslaco Pike - 6th Grade)

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / COLLEGE PREP: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

Catalyst: Essential Ingredients 60 Minutes

4 Groups

4 Learning Experiences

DEA’s mission is College for All Children. Since our founding in 2000, we’ve learned a lot about what makes students succeed: rigorous classwork, individualized attention from excellent teachers, the chance to practice at their own pace, and most of all, engaging material that fans the flames of learning.

Last year, the IDEA teams who dedicate their time to our excellent academic programs landed on a brilliant thought: What if we could create a program that combines those best practices into a daily event? What if we could make sure that all students, every day, have a chance to challenge themselves, get intensive help from teachers where they need it, master their learning through practice, and explore their interests? At least some of their school time could truly be their time. This is how Catalyst was born. Catalyst is a daily one-hour period in IDEA middle and high schools. Similar to the blended learning model we use in our elementary schools, Catalyst combines teacher-led instruction with independent, technology-assisted learning. During a Catalyst period, students are divided into groups, each engaged in one of four learning experiences: Computer-based practice Project-based learning Small-group instruction Distance learning, where they can choose an online class to take. The computer-based activities are made possible by COWs. COW stands for Computers on Wheels – portable computer units that can be easily transported. Catalyst begins when the COWs roll in! Another key aspect of Catalyst is that as students develop their college-readiness skills, they also take more and more charge over their own learning. They track their own progress and in some cases can even choose their own learning materials. In this way, not only do students benefit from personalized learning experiences, they get excellent practice in the type of self-driven learning that college professors expect. Middle and high school are the “home stretch” of the road to college. We understand how critical it is to use every moment wisely – to address weaknesses and encourage strengths. It’s a time to develop strong, lifelong learning habits. Most of all, it’s a time to be sure that each IDEA student who crosses our stage at graduation is prepared to succeed in college. Catalyst is one of the ways we do just that.

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / COLLEGE PREP: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

Catalyst

A Day in the Life

Any day of the week, visit a Catalyst period and you’ll see quite a unique scene. Students will be engaged in one of the above-mentioned experiences: tailored practice on a computer program, project-based learning, small-group instruction, or distance learning. Some students will be using the COWs, some will be working with other students in a small group, and some will be with their teacher. You’ll hear typing, clicking, and the low voices of groupwork, but otherwise, it’s quiet. That “Catalyst quiet” is a wonderful thing – it’s the sound of an engaged group of students learning at their own pace. To get a better idea of what Catalyst actually looks like, imagine a typical IDEA classroom – 12 to 15 kids and their teacher. In the back, two students struggling in math are getting a whole hour of their teacher’s undivided attention. On a nearby computer, their classmate who’s a bit behind in reading is logged in to Achieve 3000, a nationally recognized program that helps students tackle challenging non-fiction texts. He’s engrossed in an article on Ancient Egypt at his exact reading level. A few tables over sits a third classmate. It seems like her only problem at school is mastering concepts too quickly. She is watching a video lecture on marine mammal communication from the online biology course she’s taking at the University of Texas at Brownsville. And toward the front, five students – of all ability levels – are huddled over research for their robot project. They’re learning to build the electrical connections that will make the robot raise its arm. As the hour wraps up, the students begin to review what they’ve accomplished that day. They track progress towards the goals they’ve set for themselves, and use this information to make good decisions about how to use Catalyst time tomorrow. The warning bell rings, and students begin to carefully put away the COWs and pack up their things. Finally, they head into the hallway, ready for the next class, one hour closer to college.

Why Catalyst Works Catalyst may seem uncomplicated at first glance – each day students have an hour to do their own activities, as simple as that. But what Catalyst actually achieves is quite complex. It tackles some of the most fundamental problems in education – problems that people spend countless hours and dollars trying to solve. First, Catalyst keeps students of all ability levels engaged in high-quality instructional material. Under normal circumstances, it’s not unusual for the students in the same grade to span years of grade-level readiness. For instance, in a single seventh grade homeroom, there may be a fourth grade reader and a ninth grade reader, a math expert and a whole host of math strugglers. This is not to mention the rest of the class: those students who are largely on-level but have a hundred different learning habits and preferences. This is, of course, how it should be! We celebrate diversity in our students’ learning. However, ensuring all of them get what they need academically can be challenging.

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / COLLEGE PREP: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

Daniel Loper (IDEA College Prep Weslaco Pike - 6th grade ELA teacher)

With Catalyst, students have a daily chance to learn and practice at their “just-right level,” as we often call it. Throughout the year, students take diagnostic tests that show them where they are academically. Using this data, students can map out how to achieve the goals they set for themselves. They work toward these goals each day during Catalyst. In this way, the reader who’s behind can log in to the reading program Achieve 3000 for some much-needed practice with texts that interest her. The math whiz can go online to explore concepts he otherwise may not see until high school, or even college. And the student who really struggles has dedicated time with his teacher, who knows him best and can help where it’s most needed. This daily dose of differentiated instruction ensures our students are neither left behind nor left bored. Another amazing thing about Catalyst: It provides teachers a whole hour to work with individual students. There is no substitute for one-on-one teaching and learning. It’s the reason why time and time again, studies find that teachers are the number-one influence on student achievement. But with lessons to write, papers to grade, students to teach, and everything else, finding time for individual help can be tough. Catalyst solves this problem. While the majority of the class is

independently working on computers or projects, teachers can dedicate time to the students who need it most. Finally, Catalyst is a daily exercise in independent learning. During Catalyst, students are held to high behavioral expectations – they’re expected to be on-task the whole hour. There are two reasons for this: First, we trust our middle and high school students to rise to the challenge of managing their own learning. Second, and most importantly, we want to expose them to college-level expectations. In college, no one will check to see that they’re working on their term paper. No one will question whether they’re keeping up with their reading. No one will remind them what the syllabus says. The expectation is for self-driven, self-managed learning. Catalyst is a daily chance to practice that mentality. We coach our students to think of Catalyst as a chance to show their initiative. They know it’s a time to catch up where they’re behind and push forward where they excel, a time to analyze, reflect, and explore. Catalyst is our students’ chance to take the reins.

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / COLLEGE PREP: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

FOUR Learning Experiences

EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY A critical component of Catalyst is the COW. No, not the farm animal. A COW is a state-of-the-art Computer-on-Wheels system that allows students to benefit from blended learning software, similar to Better IDEA. During Catalyst time, COWs are wheeled into the classroom and students have access to software programs that allow them to practice skills at their own pace. That is one smart COW!

PROJECT-BASED LEARNING Here, a small group of students works with a project leader to get hands-on experience with highly engaging and skill-building projects such as computer programming, creative writing, robotics, microbiology, mock trials, or mural creation. Not many kids leave high school having built a robot or painted a mural! Project-based learning is a student favorite, and for good reason. It’s so fun, they forget they’re learning!

SMALL-GROUP INSTRUCTION Sometimes you just need a little face-time with your teacher. The structure of Catalyst – with students using COWs or working on a project – allows for teachers to close learning gaps with specific students without losing precious time as the week goes by and the lessons progress. The benefit of small group instruction is immeasurable: Students can get exactly what they need from the talented and trusted teachers who know them best.

DISTANCE LEARNING With the flexibility and access to technology offered by Catalyst, students can push their educational limits. The distance-learning component of Catalyst allows students to take an AP course not offered at their school, or begin on a college course for credit. Distance learning challenges students to manage their own learning – a skill that is critical to a successful college career.

Opposite Page (L to R): Laura Noa Pulido (IDEA Allan College Prep – 8th Grade) Martinez Marrero (IDEA Allan College Prep – 8th Grade) ; Csejth Rodriguez (IDEA College Prep South Flores - 6th Grade) ; Olivia Valdez and Santos Zuniga (IDEA College Prep Frontier - 6th Grade) ; Learning with technology at IDEA College Prep Brownsville

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / COLLEGE PREP: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

FOUR Learning Experiences

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / COLLEGE PREP: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

THE ROAD TO COLLEGE

ollege Prep at IDEA is exactly what it sounds like: Throughout middle school and high school, we prepare our students for college. College readiness is a short phrase with big implications. It’s not just about classroom learning, but also mastering the soft skills necessary for success. It means everything from developing a well-rounded resume to choosing the right college to attend. Our job is to help students achieve this profile of college preparedness. At IDEA, we graduate students who are not just ready to go to college. They’re ready to thrive there. How do we do this? Getting ready for college requires more than just coursework. Learn how IDEA supports college preparation outside of the classroom.

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / COLLEGE PREP: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

COLLEGE COUNSELING

ROAD TO COLLEGE

College counseling is a cornerstone of what we call our College Success Program – the collection of courses and systems that get our students college-ready. We have one counselor for every 33 students. We take pride in this ratio – it means our students get dedicated attention as they apply for college. Beginning in high school, students work closely with their counselor on the college application process. Counselors help students choose that magic combination of reach schools (tough to get into but incredible to attend), fit schools (universities that are a good academic match), and safety schools (schools into which the student has a solid change of acceptance). They also help students – as well as families – with everything from applications to financial aid to final decisions and even preparing for that first day of college. IDEA students and parents are in good hands with these passionate and knowledgeable counselors.

Another way we support our students to and through college is the Road to College class. High school is one of the busiest times for students at IDEA. Not only are they juggling AP classes, extracurricular activities, and more – they are in the midst of the college application process. That’s why we have Road to College: a class dedicated to developing the skills, attitudes, and beliefs that create college success. During Road to College class, students can explore their interests by learning about different majors. They will learn how college opens up the future, and why college success is critical. The class is also there to polish essays, resumes, and short-answer questions required for applications. And it doesn’t end there. The Road to College course is a special time for students to get what they need in order to graduate from college.

COLLEGE VISITS AND SUMMERS AWAY

ALUMNI SUPPORT

In addition to counseling, IDEA students are prepared for college through College Field Lessons and the Collegiate Summer Away Experience, both of which give students a taste of actual college life. It’s well known that college is vastly different from high school. By promoting college-like experiences early on, we’re minimizing the potentially overwhelming nature of living on your own for the first time.

Our promise is to get students to and through college, so we don’t stop supporting college success after senior year. When an IDEA student heads off to college, our Alumni Success Team is there for them. This team supports our alumni as they progress through college toward graduation day. Our alumni are precious to us. Just because they’ve left an IDEA school doesn’t mean they’ve left the Team & Family. That’s why when a sophomore at University of Boston has a question about financial aid, he can pick up the phone and call – at any time – his alumni mentor. It’s why when a UTPA junior wants to know if she can add a second major, she only has to send a text, and we’ll be there to help.

During College Field Lessons, sixth through 12th grade students spend dedicated time on college campuses. They may visit state universities such as UT Rio Grande Valley and UT Austin, East Coast schools such as Harvard and Tufts, and more. Imagine your child on a College Field Lesson, seeing firsthand what college is like. Oak-paneled lecture halls, state-of-the-art technology centers, professors and students mingling on the quad, the option to wear sweatpants to class… All the promise of college is there for them to see. The Collegiate Summer Away Experience is similar. With “Summer Away,” we support juniors who wish to apply to overnight summer programs that match their interests. Last year, we had students spend their summers in leadership programs at Princeton, underwater robotics classes at UT Brownsville, and more. By spending time away from home through these programs, students (and parents, too!) get a chance to adjust to what college life is like.

At IDEA Public Schools, we want to transform communities by giving young people the power of a college degree. It’s no secret what a college degree can do for an individual, a family, a community: better jobs, better pay, better opportunities – a better life. This is our dream for our students, and our college success programs help us get there. Opposite Page (From Top Left to Bottom Right): Eddie Camacopa (IDEA Quest ‘14) and Lilly Lozano (IDEA Donna ‘14) at University of the Incarnate Word ; Alexis Benavides (IDEA San Benito ‘14) and Ivan Cervantez (IDEA Alamo ‘14) at Texas State University ; Meredith Peña (IDEA Quest ‘14), Cherie (IDEA Donna ‘14), and Perla Marroquin (IDEA Frontier ‘14) at Our Lady of the Lake University; Guadalupe Sanchez (IDEA San Benito ‘14) and Liliana Ponce (IDEA San Benito ‘14) at Texas A&M Kingsville ; Jorge Leos (IDEA Quest ‘14) at University of Texas at Austin ; Diego Moreno (IDEA Quest ‘14) at University of the Incarnate Word ; Luiz Gonzales Gonzales (IDEA Mission ‘14), Mario Muñoz (IDEA Mission ‘14), and Fernanda Delgado (IDEA Mission ‘14) at University of Texas Pan American ; Maria Fernandez (IDEA Frontier ‘14) and Ricardo Ramirez (IDEA Frontier ‘14) at St. Mary’s University ; Eluid Ramirez (IDEA Alamo ‘14) at Texas Tech University

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / COLLEGE PREP: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

2014-

2015 Campus-Wide Initiatives

As you’ve seen, IDEA Academy and College Prep are different learning environments with the same goal – to prepare students for success in college and in life. This year, we’re taking that goal a step further with projects and initiatives that span both schools. For example, IDEA Authors is a monthly writing contest that allows all of our students to share their voices in writing. We’ve also launched a multifaceted health program called Healthy Kids Here. It’s a simple name for a comprehensive program focused on making IDEA Public Schools the healthiest school district in the nation.

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

IDEA Authors

You can make anything by writing.” – C.S. Lewis

Writing is everywhere. On page after page of the internet, in newsletters, novels, notes and more, people are making their voices heard through writing. In today’s information age, excellent writing skills have never been so important. In order to prepare students for college and lifelong success, we must give them the tools to put their thoughts on paper. Introducing IDEA Authors: a monthly writing contest for the entire IDEA network. In classrooms across our 36 schools, students will write one essay each month and submit it to their teacher. After a thorough review process, 12 essays – one from each grade – will be named network-wide winners. These 12 IDEA Authors will receive a college savings bond and get their writing published for all of IDEA – and its supporters – to read. In September of this year, the first round of IDEA Authors launched with the following prompt: Think about your vision for your future. What career do you want? Family? Home? Cars? Travel? Write an essay explaining the role education plays in helping you achieve your dreams Our September winners knocked it out of the park – see a few highlights on the next few pages!

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

IDEA Authors

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

IDEA Authors

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

IDEA Authors ESSAY IDEAS for 2015

Parents! Get excited for the upcoming writing competitions each month in 2015. There’s nothing stopping you from starting now...

Grades K-2

Grades 3-12

January

Expository. Write about what you think is more helpful: a computer or a cell phone.

Expository. Science has done a great service to mankind. Choose one specific scientific invention or advancement and write an essay explaining how it has helped improve life for humans.

February

Personal Narrative. IDEA #11 says to surprise others by performing random acts of kindness. Write about a time you were kind to someone or someone was kind to you.

Personal Narrative. IDEA #11 says to surprise others by performing random acts of kindness. Write an essay in which you recollect a moment when you learned the power of a kind gesture.

March

Persuasive letter. What would make your city a better place? Write a letter to the mayor of your city telling them to make a change you wish to see.

Persuasive letter. Choose a law that you wish to change or an issue you feel deeply about. Conduct research as needed to be well informed. Then, write a letter to a state or federal elected official urging them to make a change you wish to see.

April

Expository. IDEA #52 says to learn from your mistakes and move on. Write about how someone can learn from their mistake.

Expository. IDEA #52 says to learn from your mistakes and move on. All students are required to take history class and learn facts about the U.S. and world events. Write an essay explaining how learning history can help us avoid making the same mistakes others made in the past.

May

Compare/Contrast Expository. People change and grow as they learn new things. How have you changed this school year? Write about how you have changed since the beginning of the school year.

Compare/Contrast Expository. People change and grow as they learn and experience new things. Write an essay comparing and contrasting the person you are today with the person you were at the beginning of the school year.

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

IDEA Authors

Check out these excerpts from September's winners!

Karina Rios

Kindergartener IDEA Academy Weslaco Pike

Have you ever asked yourself, “What does grammar have to do with me becoming a dentist?” or maybe, “How does metamorphosis help me become a banker!?” Education plays...

Celeste Ruiz

4th Grader IDEA Carver Academy

Brandy Perez

Nalia Wah

6th Grader IDEA College Prep McAllen

5th Grader IDEA Carver Academy

Mayra Sifuentes

In the future I see myself making a change. When I grow up I want to be an attorney, a judge, and eventually a Texas representative. Living in the Rio Grande Valley my whole life has made me realize...

10th Grader IDEA College Prep Alamo 40

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

Alexis Alvarez

11th Grader IDEA College Prep Donna

Laila Rodriguez

1st Grader IDEA Academy Weslaco Pike

Do you have an adored activity or school subject? Have you ever wished that you could perform your favorite activity as a profession? My favorite schools subjects are math and art.

Jasmine Vasquez 7th Grader IDEA College Prep Donna

In China, there is a box that floats on a river. It is not a unique box, nor is it an extroardinary one; it is simply a cardboard box that floats alongside a multitude of other old and tattered cardboard boxes.

Sarah Ortiz

2nd Grader IDEA Academy Alamo

Ambria Ramirez 3rd Grader IDEA Carver Academy

As I envision my future self, I see myself dressed in a gray suit that well matches my professional career. I imagine my hand reaching for my suitcase full with thousands of papered cases from people in...

Maria Flores

8th Grader IDEA College Prep McAllen

Jocelyn Marquez

9th Grader IDEA College Prep Mission

Congratulations September IDEA Authors!

Stefanie Teyer

12th Grader IDEA College Prep Donna IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

STRONG BODY STRONG MIND

Edwin Ballestros (IDEA College Prep Monterrey Park - 6th Grade)

STRONG

BODY STRONG

MIND

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

L to R: Sebastian Gamboa, Angel Alvares Romo, Francisco Cantu-Santos, Andy Perez Morales, Kevin Cabrera Gaona(IDEA Academy Allan - 2nd Grade) ; Aylin Cagigal (IDEA Academy Donna - 2nd Grade) ; Moses Cruz (IDEA College Prep Monterrey Park - 6th Grade)

Healthy Kids Here:

IDEA’s long-term plan to become the healthiest school district in the nation

DEA is making the health of our Team & Family a priority. A healthy body can make a big difference. Studies show that healthy people deal with stress more effectively, have more positive attitudes, and even do better at school or work!

Over the next three years, IDEA’s Healthy Kids Here initiative seeks three outcomes. They are:

Instill the habits of health in our students’ daily lives by creating and promoting a culture of

wellness at IDEA Public Schools.

Maximize our students’ ability to learn and achieve by ensuring their physical health and wellness.

Inspire the IDEA community to foster the health and wellness of IDEA students by actively

participating in initiatives and events

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

Healthy Kids Here

Nikki Gonzales (IDEA Quest Academy - 2nd grade)

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

How will we get there? The ambitious aims of Healthy Kids Here will be reached with IDEA’s unique collection of resources:

Facts

With Healthy Kids Here, IDEA Public Schools will achieve a 50% reduction in the number of absences caused by illnesses spread at school. To do this, we’re teaching our students the facts of health care – daily sanitary practices, good hygiene and health care.

Food

Another Healthy Kids Here strategy is reducing student access to unhealthy foods. We’ve revamped our cafeteria menus to include more whole grains, low-fat foods, lean meats, and fruits and vegetables. We’re also discouraging promotion of salty and high-fat snack foods. These methods, plus fresh produce from our farms, will move us toward the goal of having 75% of students eating at least one fresh fruit or vegetable each day.

Farms

With our farm program, we have the unique opportunity to provide students, teachers, and school staff with farm-fresh fruits and vegetables. Farms at IDEA Donna, IDEA Quest, and IDEA Frontier keep schools supplied with delicious produce. Healthy Kids Here aims to increase production of our farms.

Fitness

The benefits of exercise and the risks of obesity are well-documented. We’re revitalizing our Physical Education program in order to reach the Healthy Kids Here goal of increasing all students’ fitness, and reducing the BMI (Body Mass Index, an indicator for obesity) of at-risk students.

Families

We know that true health change begins in the home. That’s why we’re aiming to get 25% of our families engaged in health initiatives around the community. We want you to join us in our mission to get fit!

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

Healthy Kids Here

(L to R): IDEA Alamo 6th graders ; Adrian Hernandez and Gael Maldonado (IDEA Academy Donna - Kindergarten)

POWER Vegetables FOUND AT IDEA FARMS

Broccoli

1. High in vitamin C and vitamin A 2. Helps fight cancer as well as keeps eyes healthy

Carrots

1. High in vitamin C and potassium 2. Due to its antioxidant richness, carrots are wonderful for the cardiovascular system

Cucumbers

1. Cucumbers are more than 95% water good for hydration 2. A whole cup of cucumbers contains only 16 calories

Tomatoes

1. High in vitamin C and biotin 2. Critical in promoting healthy bone growth and heart health

Spinach

1. High in vitamin K and vitamin A 2. Serves as an anti-inflammatory as well as a cancer-fighting agent

Kale

1. Contains lutein, which keeps vision working well 2. 1 cup of chopped kale contains a whole day’s recommended amount of vitamin A

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

Angel Galvan (left) and Tyler Powers (IDEA Academy Donna - 3rd Grade)

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

C R A O A S E S D I

TEXAS Across our regions,

the academic excellence is the same – but the regional differences

SHINE !

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

Austin

SAN ANTONIO

Rio GrandeValley IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

By the late 2000s, IDEA schools in the Rio Grande Valley were humming along. With a new strategy for growth in place – the 2017 plan – we were ready to start sending even more Texas students to college. So, we opened up two new regions: one in San Antonio, and one in our state’s capitol and fastest-growing city, Austin. We initially came to Austin in 2012 as an in-district charter school, meaning our students would be on AISD rosters but IDEA would run the school, with autonomy over people, program, and culture. The plan was to help revitalize one of Austin’s historically lowest performing high schools – Eastside Memorial High. With IDEA teachers and leaders sending significantly more students to and through college, the bar would be raised overall. This was the vision for our first Austin school, IDEA Allan. The partnership launched, and things were going great. Students who had previously struggled found themselves meeting expectations they never thought possible. Families were loving the rigor and college-going culture of IDEA Allan. However, in late 2012, four months into IDEA Allan’s first year of operation, a coalition of newly-elected AISD trustees dissolved the partnership. This news was a real blow to the 500 students and families at IDEA Allan, plus the staff and lead team who had worked to build the schools. Nevertheless, we vowed to keep our commitment to the IDEA Team & Family. In the words of Austin Executive Director Larkin Tackett, the goal of sending 100 percent of students to and through college is “stronger than the prevailing political winds.” We weren’t going to let the political landscape stop us from doing our job: providing an excellent education to Austin students.

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

The next fall, IDEA Allan re-launched as a state-authorized public charter with more than 600 students in a temporary location in Southeast Austin. The success of that launch was made even sweeter given all the obstacles we overcame to earn it. During the application period for the 2014-15 school year, more than 1,200 students applied for only 300 spots. This 4:1 demand is a testament not only to the work of the Allan operations team but also an important validation of the educational opportunity that IDEA leaders and teachers are providing in Austin. Soon, IDEA Allan will move into a permanent, state-of-the-art facility. When it reaches full K-12 enrollment in 2018, the campus will serve more than 1,300 students. Its elementary school will reach scale with 670 students by 2015, and its first senior class will graduate from high school with college acceptance letters in hand in the spring of 2019. The IDEA Allan story has attracted its fair share of media attention, both positive and negative. No matter what the media says, we have only to look at the families that stayed with Allan througout the whole process. These families – and it was the majority of them – believed that IDEA is the school network to help get their kids to and through college. What’s more, they’ve been spreading the word. The waitlist for IDEA in Austin grows each day. To meet the growing demand for more high-quality school options in Austin, IDEA plans to open two new campuses (each with an Academy and College Prep school) by 2016. We are thrilled to continue moving toward our purpose here in Austin – to give all children the opportunity for a high-quality education at no cost.

2014-15 2

SCHOOLS





956

STUDENTS

OPENING

AUGUST 2015!

Last year’s rank among Austin ISD comparison schools in 6th grade STAAR Math Scores

100% Of operating years earning highest TEA academic rating

IDEA Rundberg

(North Austin) Now accepting applications Grades K-2 and 6

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

In 2011, a very famous basketball player began searching for the best charter school network in Texas. He started his own school a while back, and was looking for someone to help take it to the next level. In 2012, he found the network for the job. The basketball player? San Antonio Spurs legend David Robinson. The school? The Carver Academy, founded by Robinson to give San Antonio kids another option for a great education. The network that would take The Carver Academy even further? Yours truly – IDEA Public Schools. Thus began IDEA’s launch into our now fastest-growing region, San Antonio. We were thrilled to bring our tradition of excellence a few hours up Northbound 281. We knew IDEA San Antonio was going to grow to serve kids all across San Antonio from the get-go. To do the expansion right, we came armed with lessons of success and some of our most talented people. And it’s working! As an example, the first year that IDEA Carver operated as an IDEA school, it performed better than the vast majority of schools comparable to it according to the TEA: 2nd place in its 40-school comparison group.

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

Our growth in San Antonio continued. In 2013, IDEA South Flores opened up in south San Antonio. This year, we launched two new schools: IDEA Monterrey Park on the city’s west side, and IDEA Walzem toward the northeast. We’re opening a new school on the east side next year, IDEA Eastside, putting us at a total of 10 schools by 2016. The grand plan is that by 2017, we’ll have a total of 20 schools in San Antonio that, when fully grown, will support over 14,000 San Antonio students on their journey to college. This rapid growth – from 2 schools in 2012 to 20 schools by 2017 – gives us a critical role in changing San Antonio’s education landscape. Not only will 14,000 more students be graduating high school ready for college, we’ll be raising the bar for other schools in the area. A little friendly competition between schools has great outcomes for students! San Antonio is America’s seventh largest city, yet only 9% of its low-income students graduate from college. We’re here to change that, because we believe that all students in San Antonio can get a college degree.

2014-15

 8

SCHOOLS

2,220 STUDENTS

OPENING

AUGUST 2015!

 2017



14,000

Total number of IDEA schools in San Antonio by 2017-18 school year

Number of students on the path to college when IDEA San Antonio is fully grown

IDEA Eastside

(east San Antonio area) Now accepting applications Grades K-2 and 6

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

IDEA’S story begins nearly fifteen years ago in Donna, TX. Our co-founders Tom Torkelson and JoAnn Gama had come to the Rio Grande Valley with Teach For America, a program that trains college graduates to teach in under-resourced public schools across the nation. Tom and JoAnn believed deeply that education transforms not only individual lives, but entire communities. Studying economics at Georgetown University, Tom learned the financial power of a college degree in class after class. The numbers were clear: Without a college degree, even the most talented have trouble accessing good, stable, high-paying jobs. And JoAnn, the first person in her family to earn her diploma, saw firsthand how life’s opportunities open up with a college degree. With all that they’d learned and done, Tom and JoAnn were committed to helping all children have the chance at lifetime success through education. What’s more, they wanted to do this in the Rio Grande Valley. Tom and JoAnn saw the need for excellent public schools and the opportunity for partnership with a tight-knit community. As teachers, Tom and JoAnn worked with energy and passion. They tutored before and after school, they took advantage of every minute of class time, they found ways to reach each student. All this paid off – their students achieved major academic growth. But for Tom and JoAnn, academic excellence in their classrooms wasn’t enough. They dreamed of a school where the quality of education didn’t depend on “getting” a certain teacher. Their goal was to give students an excellent education, not just an excellent year, because they it takes more than one goodyear to succeed in college and in life. With this in mind, Tom and JoAnn started an after-school academy that students could attend for enrichment, tutoring, and whatever else they needed on the path to college. What did they call it? Individuals Dedicated to Excellence and Achievement, or IDEA! The program was wildly successful, and Tom and JoAnn sought to turn it into a full-fledged school. In 2000, IDEA was granted a state charter and became IDEA Donna, our flagship campus. Today, IDEA Donna is one of the nation’s best high schools according to US News and World Report.

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5

The success of IDEA Donna made it clear to Tom and JoAnn that their formula – excellent teachers, personalized learning, a college-focused school culture, and small class sizes – was working. They knew that they could put more Valley students on the path to college by building more schools like Donna. So, in 2006, they opened the next two campuses: IDEA Quest, in the Edinburg/McAllen area, and IDEA Frontier in Brownsville. And the growth continued: Between 2006 and 2014, IDEA opened 10 campuses – 20 schools – across the upper, mid, and lower Rio Grande Valley. Next year, we’ll open two more campuses, one in Brownsville and one in McAllen. Today, there are 26 IDEA schools in the Rio Grande Valley, serving over 16,000 students. From Mission to Brownsville, our schools are sending Valley students to and through college at unprecedented rates. We consistently outperform other school districts on state success measures across all grade. We send nearly 100% of our students to college, and our alumni are graduating from college at five times the national average for their peers. Our community partnerships grow ever stronger thanks to the students and families who believe in us and spread the word about us. It took only 15 years for a little after-school program to become one of the strongest school districts in the Rio Grande Valley. We can’t wait to see what the next fifteen will bring.

2014-15



 26

16,178

SCHOOLS

OPENING

STUDENTS

AUGUST 2015!

Schools ranked in the US News and World Report’s Best High Schools

Schools earned all possible academic distinctions awarded by the state

IDEA North Mission

IDEA River view

Now accepting applications Grades K-2 and 6

(Mission, Texas)

(Brownsville, Texas)

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 2014-15 CAMPUS-WIDE INITIATIVES IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS / ACADEMY: K-5