SFUSD Board of Education Unanimously Approves Leadership High School Charter Renewal For Immediate Release

Contact: Elizabeth Rood

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

415-349-0931

Last night, February 14, 2012, the San Francisco Unified School District Board of Education unanimously approved the renewal of Leadership High School’s charter, authorizing the school to operate through June 2017. Opened in 1997, Leadership is the longest standing start-up charter high school in California and has set itself apart for a strong college-going culture and commitment to serving youth historically underserved and under-represented in college-preparatory programs. Currently 82% of the student body is Latino or African-American; two-thirds are living at or below the poverty line; nine out of ten will be the first in their families to complete college; and half speak a language other than English at home. During the renewal process, the school’s outstanding 94% college-going rate was cited as a significant reason for Commissioners’ support. In the hearing, Commission Fewer stated, “because of their legacy, because all their students graduate [meeting U.C. college eligibility] a-g requirements with a C or better, and because they have great hopes and expectations for all their students, I am supporting this charter renewal.” Leadership’s personalized environment and its effectiveness connecting with students of color were also commended. Commissioner Maufas, reflecting on her visit to the school noted, “It just knocked my socks off… I saw kids of color doing college-level work… I wish more of our families knew about Leadership and what it offers to kids who aren’t a great match for some of our schools... You are giving students that specialized attention. You know how to do it right, and it’s not fake. It’s genuine and intense and connects on a level that some of our schools just cannot do… You combine rigor with all the other social stuff that connects in kids’ lives. I’m so thrilled that you exist in San Francisco. Thank you.” According to the California Department of Education, charter authorizers are required to examine fiscal soundness and academic performance in making recommendations for renewal or denial to their Boards of Education. San Francisco Unified staff recommended renewal based not only on the school’s finances and governance but also on the fact that pupils at Leadership meet or exceed the academic performance of their peers in district schools. Leadership’s charter petition had highlighted this fact, noting that, in 2011, African-American students in the school outperformed the district high school average by 89 points on the Academic Performance Index (not including the scores of county and continuation programs). The only high school in all of San Francisco (inclusive of charters) that outperformed Leadership in any significant way, when looking at the scores of African-American students, was Lowell High School which has an admission process that

screens students based on test scores. (City Arts and Tech Charter and Wallenberg High School each performed comparably to Leadership, within two points.) In the same year Latino students at Leadership scored, on average, 30 points higher than the district average for high schools (again, not including county and continuation programs). Despite this, in December, Leadership came under attack by the California Charter Schools Association which issued an aggressive press release calling on the Board of Education to deny Leadership’s renewal based on test scores alone and without seeing the school’s program or speaking with students, parents, or teachers. Reflecting on this, parents Simon Chacon and James Vogt wrote a letter in support of the school to the Board of Education: “Leadership High School is not a good charter school; it is a GREAT charter school, and it hurts us that they been somewhat maligned by the news media… Leadership’s African and Latino students outscore their peers at most other high schools. Leadership is making a significant contribution to closing the overwhelming achievement gap, and they continue to do so each and every day they are in existence. We only have the deepest admiration and appreciation for every single individual at that school. How many parents can make that statement?” Commissioner Wynns, a long-time charter opponent, referenced CCSA’s attack last night, stating “I am more inclined to support this renewal because of what I view as the political attack on Leadership High School from your own association. I don’t agree that what we ought to do is close schools.” President Norman Yee concluded the Board discussion before the 7-0 vote, “I don’t know what the association that is supposed to be supporting your charter school is saying. Maybe they need to go visit your school because I don’t get it. Your school is doing excellent work with your students.” In a letter of support written to the Board of Education, senior Esteffany Calderon, who was recently named the Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year, writes: “Leadership High School has a commitment to offer every student the best college-preparatory education. Our mission—that all students will succeed, no matter their background, is followed every day in school. Students work closely with teachers. They learn everything necessary for college and about life. Students not only care about their grades but about our community. We become leaders by fighting for social justice.”

For further questions, please contact Leadership High School Executive Director, Elizabeth Rood. Phone: (415) 349-0931 Email: [email protected]