With schools failing, families ďŹ ling for bankruptcy and foreclosure, and businesses leaving a struggling community in Memphis, Tennessee, Derwin Sisnett and Yetta Lewis saw a need for both education and community development. They worked to develop a community-based school that would address both the academic needs and development needs of the community. In 2008, Power Center Academy opened its doors to 125 sixth-grade students in the Hickory Hill community of Memphis, Tennessee. Nearly three years and 300 students later, Power Center Academy and the community around it began to see early successes through increased achievement scores and the elimination of community blight. In 2011, Derwin and Yetta founded Gestalt Community Schools (GCS), a charter management organization, in order to scale the work they began in 2008.
Gestalt Community Schools (GCS) is a system of K-12 college-preparatory charter schools in targeted Tennessee communities. GCS schools provide strong academic outcomes for their scholars through initiatives including meaningful community involvement. GCS catalyzes community leadership to help revitalize the neighborhood as it operates its schools in that community. Instead of debating whether education impacts the community or vice versa, GCS believes that the most effective method to support student achievement is an integration of education and community (a true "gestalt"). Gestalt Community Schools currently operates ďŹ ve schools in the Memphis community. Building Better Communities Through Education.
POWER CENTER ACADEMY
CENTER ACADEMY POWER CENTERPOWER ACADEMY
Middle School Enrollment: 350+ scholars Grade levels: 6-8 Principal: Mr. Antonio Ryan
High School High School Enrollment: 400+Enrollment: scholars 400+ scholars Grade levels: 9-11 Grade levels: 9-11 Principal: Dr. Steevon Hunter Principal: Dr. Steevon Hunter
HUMES PREPARATORY ACADEMY
HUMES PREPARATORY ACAD HUMES PREPARATORY ACADEMY
Elementary School Enrollment: 50 Grade level: 5 Principal: Dr. Greg Rockhold
Middle School Middle School Enrollment: 350+ Enrollment: 350+ Grade levels: 6-8 Grade levels: 6-8 Principal: Mrs. Julia Callaway Principal: Mrs. Julia Callaway
KLONDIKE PREPARATORY ACADEMY
Elementary School Enrollment: 125 Grade levels: K-2 Principal: Mrs. Robyn Liebenhaut
ACHIEVEMENT We strive for excellence in the classroom and in the community. COMMUNITY Collaboration is key to personal growth and neighborhood revitalization. Partnerships allow us to serve at a greater capacity for maximum impact. HUMILITY We are accountable to our scholars, peers, and neighborhoods in which we serve, because the work we do serves a larger purpose. INNOVATION We strive to evolve faster than the world around us. We can only be our best if we are willing to reevaluate and reďŹ ne what we do. ZEAL Our drive for success is derived from the compassion for the community we serve.
we believe
STATE DISTRICT GESTALT
2012 TENNESSEE COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
we do it
Preparing the next generation to take their places...
college-ready, career-ready, and community-ready. www.gestaltcs.org