March 9, 2016 Dear Parents and Community Members: We are pleased to present you with the Annual Education Report (AER) which provides key information on the 2014-2015 educational progress for the Avondale Academy. The AER addresses the complex reporting information required by federal and state laws. The school’s report contains information about student assessment, accountability and teacher quality. If you have any questions about the AER, please contact the Avondale Academy for assistance. The AER is available for you to review electronically by visiting the MI School Data website. You may also review a copy in the principal’s office at Avondale Middle School. The state has identified some schools with the status of Reward, Focus or Priority. A Reward school is one that is outperforming other schools in achievement, growth, or is performing better than other schools with a similar student population. A Focus school is one that has a large achievement gap in 30% of its student achievement scores. A Priority school is one whose achievement and growth is in the lowest 5% of all schools in the state. Our school has not been given one of these labels. Although our ACT test scores have improved each of the last 8 years, these scores along with our M-Step scores are below the bench marks and cut scores set forth by the State. We also continue to be penalized for students who enroll here and do not graduate. The 4 year cohort graduation rate for the 2014-2015 school year was 36%. This is primarily due to a transient population. Attendance rates for the Avondale Academy are 88%. We have taken many steps to remediate these concerns by implementing strategies to improve our school academically. In 2008 we started a program called Test Taking Skills which evolved into a mandated ACT prep class for juniors in 2011-2012. This class has now transformed into an SAT prep class to help students meet the academic needs of the newly mandates PSAT and SAT exams. The purpose of this class is to teach students strategies for test taking and how to become successful test takers. Four years ago we began additional programs. We implemented Writing across the Curriculum, designed to address the writing deficiencies of our students, and we have implemented strategies to improve our student’s basic math skills. We are working on math skills that students will use in everyday life. All of these programs are integrated into the weekly lesson plans of all teachers. Beginning in the 2015-2016 school year, the Avondale Academy will also offer enhanced academic support to academically deficient students. This support will come from the addition of 2 paraprofessionals providing academic support both inside and outside the classroom and attendance interventions. Our SAT class is a mandated class that our 11th graders are required to take prior to taking the SAT/MStep assessments. This class is designed to not only instruct students on how to become better test takers, but the class is also used as a tool to improve writing, reading, science and math skills. Two teachers are in charge of delivering this curriculum. We have a math teacher and English Language Arts teacher in place to best service student need.
Avondale Administrative Offices2940 Waukegan StreetAuburn Hills, Michigan 48326-3264 Phone 248-537-6000Fax 248-537-6005
Two years ago we partnered with Graduation Alliance, a dropout prevention/intervention program. This program helps us to educate students who are in their 5th or 6th year of high school, or have been labeled a dropout by the state. We have been working with Oakland Schools to develop additional strategies to bolster our academic scores. In addition, we are developing supplemental materials to assist student achievement. These activities include individualized tutoring after school by teachers, online remediation courses through our Edgenuity program, in-house SAT preparation, and alternative/specialized means of instruction to better serve our student population. We are working towards completing three goals outlined in depth in the Avondale Academy’s school improvement plan. Those three goals are to increase our standardized test scores, increase graduation rates, and to prepare our students for institutions of higher learning. 2014-2015 we were awarded a grant from the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN). We have used this grant to implement college literacy activates for our students focusing on applying to college, financial literacy (FASFA), and decision day activities. All students are afforded the opportunity to visit a college campus, and meet with college representatives. You as parents can help us. Encourage your student to work hard in school. Encourage them to stay in school and graduate. Attendance is critical to your student’s success. Your student needs to be here to take advantage of the programs mentioned above. Get involved in our school and your student’s education. Together we can continue to improve our test scores and prepare your students for life after high school State law requires that we also report additional information. 1. PROCESS FOR ASSIGNING PUPILS TO THE SCHOOL • The Avondale Academy enrollment process is as follows. The Avondale Academy is an Alternative High School. Prior to acceptance at the Avondale Academy we require an application, current transcript, updated immunization record, parent driver’s license, student birth certificate, and prior discipline records. • Once these documents are in the hands of the application review committee, parents will be contacted to set up an interview with the parent, student and the interview committee. At the time of the interview, parents will fill out an emergency card and student behavior contract. It is at this time that the parent and student will be informed of whether or not a student meets the qualifications of Alternative Education. This is especially true for out of district students. We offer a traditional setting and a virtual environment through a seat time waiver (STW). • The Avondale Academy is a 9-12 grade Alternative High School Building with a population of approximately 130 students. Avondale Academy offers a day program, and a virtual program. The day program runs exactly like a typical high school. The virtual program is a program where students work on a computer based curriculum, off site, under the guidance of a mentor teacher. After the interview, a determination of admittance will be made within 48 hours and the parent/student will be contacted with the committee’s decision by phone. 2. THE STATUS OF THE 3-5 YEAR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Avondale Administrative Offices2940 Waukegan StreetAuburn Hills, Michigan 48326-3264 Phone 248-537-6000Fax 248-537-6005
We are working towards completing three goals outlined in depth in the Avondale Academy’s school improvement plan. Those three goals are to increase our standardized test scores, increase graduation rates, and to prepare our students for institutions of higher learning. 3. IDENTIFY HOW TO ACCESS A COPY OF THE CORE CURRICULUM, A DESCRIPTION OF ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND AN EXPLANATION OF THE VARIANCES FROM THE STATE’S MODEL The Avondale Academy’s curriculum, its description, and an explanation of its implementation may be accessed by appointment. Avondale Academy has adopted the Michigan Common Core Curriculum. 4. THE AGGREGATE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT RESULTS FOR ANY LOCAL COMPETENCY TESTS OR NATIONALLY NORMED ACHIEVEMENT TESTS Twenty-seven students (27) completed the ACT during the 2014-2015 school year. The results are: 16.7
Composite
Twenty-four students (24) completed the M-Step during the 2014-2015 school year. The results are: Percent % (Advanced/Proficient/Partially Proficient) ELA: 88% Math: 54% Science: 42% Social Studies: 98% Thirty-four students (34) completed the PSAT during the 2015-2006 school year. The results are: Number Test Takers: 14 Seniors 20 Juniors Mean (Average Score): 841 Seniors 834 Juniors State: 972 (Juniors) State: 816 (Seniors)
National: 1010 (Juniors) National: 861 (Seniors)
7% Met Math and Reading/Writing Benchmarks (Seniors) 10% Met (Juniors) 57% Met Reading/Writing Benchmark (Seniors) (Score = 390) 70% Met (Juniors) 7% Met Math Benchmark (Seniors) (Score = 500)
Avondale Administrative Offices2940 Waukegan StreetAuburn Hills, Michigan 48326-3264 Phone 248-537-6000Fax 248-537-6005
10% Met (Juniors) 42% Met None (Seniors) 30% Met None (Juniors) 5. IDENTIFY THE NUMBER AND PERCENT OF STUDENTS REPRESENTED BY PARENTS AT PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES 50% or (64/128) of Avondale Academy students were represented by parents at parent-teacher conferences for the 2015-2016 school year. 44% or (69/159) of Avondale Academy students were represented by parents at parent-teacher conferences for the 2013-2014 school year. 6. FOR HIGH SCHOOLS ONLY ALSO REPORT ON THE FOLLOWING: a. THE NUMBER AND PERCENT OF POSTSECONDARY ENROLLMENTS (DUAL ENROLLMENT) 2 b. THE NUMBER OF COLLEGE EQUIVALENT COURSES OFFERED (AP/IB) 0 c. THE NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN COLLEGE EQUIVALENT COURSES (AP/IB) 0 d. THE NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS RECEIVING A SCORE LEADING TO COLLEGE CREDIT> 0 We, at the Avondale Academy, are proud of the hard work and achievement efforts of our students and staff, but we know that it is not enough. As a staff, we look forward to continuing the partnership with our community to deliver a school experience that continues to grow in the right direction, preparing students to become lifelong learners and contributing citizens. Sincerely,
Taylor Chapman Taylor Chapman Principal Avondale Academy
Avondale Administrative Offices2940 Waukegan StreetAuburn Hills, Michigan 48326-3264 Phone 248-537-6000Fax 248-537-6005
