Aurora Central HS – 2011-12 State of School Report State of the School — Big Picture

1. Aurora Central HS – 2011-12 State of School ReportState of the School—Big Picture

2. Aurora Central HS – 2011-12 State of School ReportAchievement – CSAP Growth OPR: DARO

3. Aurora Central High School 2069 students enrolled

4. Current Demographic Changes • 215 refugee students and new refugee students enrolling daily; Newcomer Academy is at capacity; 2 new classes formed second semester for refugee students and beginning ELL; currently 171 beginning language learners • 801 ELL students B, EI, I, P (CELA) • Of 2069 students, 1430 are ELL or previously ELL • In 2012, for the first time, White students will not count for a sub-category population on CSAP • African-American population declining; Black population is increasing as ELL and refugee students • Diminishing number of native English speakers as models • Over-age and under-credit student population growing; ELL’s and refugee students • In 2012, Asian cohort will count for the first time on CSAP- Almost exclusively ELL/Refugee • ACHS receiving 10-15 refugee students on average per month since school started in Aug. 2010

5. CSAP 2011 School CSAP Reading Proficiency Performance (2009 – 2011) School CSAP Math Proficiency Performance (2009 – 2011) School CSAP Writing Proficiency Performance (2009 – 2011)

6. Aurora Central H.S. – 2011-12 State of School ReportMajor Improvement Strategies/Root Causes • Major Improvement Strategy #1: Provide precise and rigorous instruction based on analysis of data in order to differentiate instruction that results in increased achievement especially for ELL and IEP students. Root Cause(s) Addressed: We do not provide precise and rigorous instruction based on analysis of data in order to differentiate instruction that results in increased achievement especially for ELL and IEP students. • Major Improvement Strategy #2: Provide systematic and differentiated professional learning around precise and rigorous instruction that is necessary to increase academic achievement and accelerate growth. Root Cause(s) Addressed: We have not provided systematic and differentiated professional learning around precise and rigorous instruction that is necessary to increase academic achievement and accelerate growth. • Major Improvement Strategy #3: Provide for shared responsibility of student learning through positive, open and consistent communication and collaboration. Root Cause(s) Addressed: We do not have a school culture that provides for shared responsibility of student learning through positive, open and consistent communication and collaboration. • Major Improvement Strategy #4: Consistent use of interventions and supports in the areas of: freshman course failure; intervention/credit recovery options; on-time graduation • Root Cause(s) Addressed: Students who are not on-track to graduate are not identified in a timely way and there is a lack of and consistent use of interventions and supports in the areas of: decline in course grades; freshman course failure and intervention courses /credit recovery options. ____________________________________________________________________________ OPR: Principal

7. Major Improvement Strategy #4 (cont.) • CO Graduation Pathway Intervention Specialist focusing on 8th Transition and 9th grade • District Truancy Specialists (2) • Gear-Up Coordinators (2) – Grant renewed for new cohort • Colorado Youth at Risk – Two on-site Coordinators and adult Mentors for 120 students by 2013 • PBiS – Improve referral, suspension and expulsion rates through positive support • Colorado Youth for Change- Drop-out recovery and mentoring • Pathway and certification programs • ICAP- Individual Career and Academic Planning/Naviance • Naviance/ College in Colorado. Org – all students register in 9th grade to begin high school and college/career planning

8. ACHS Health Science Academy (Aurora LIGHTS) Grand Opening of New HSA Wing Dec. 2011 Unique Characteristics of the Academy Of Health Sciences & Technology • School-within-a-school, housed in a comprehensive high school • Small learning community – 120 students • Challenging pre-collegiate academic curricula • Specialized studies in the biomedical sciences • Choice of clinical or research emphasis • Tutoring, mentoring, and college counseling • Field experiences, job shadowing, and internships • Collaboration with university and community partners • 4 years of advanced English, mathematics, science, social studies, world languages, and biomedical sciences

9. NEWCOMER ACADEMY • ACHS Newcomer Academy is a welcoming, small school community that supports the unique needs of refugees and English language learners who are new to the country and English. Students are typically a part of the Newcomer Academy for six months to one year as they acclimate to their new high school, community and country. Support includes coordinated programs between refugee agencies, opportunities for acceleration through extensive summer school program, tutoring and parent and community outreach • Personalized schedule for each student based on: Student assessment profile Student age Transcripts and schooling experiences • Student schedules include: Two English development courses Content courses with sheltered support Newcomer support classes to close literacy gaps • Staff Members: ACHS ELA Liaison/Coordinator ELA Teacher Leader 3 ELA teachers with ELD/English Language Arts certification Content teachers in Math and Science with LDE certificate and /or experience teaching ELLs

10. Aurora Central Athletic/Activities • ACHS offers 17 competitive sport programs and 20 active clubs. • There are over 500 students involved in athletics and activities • Mock Trial Team – Top 5 in State • Hosted 5A Girls’ Golf State Championship • Boys’ Tennis Team added this year • Boys’ Basketball Team – APS Champions • Boys’ Soccer Team qualified for State • Jr. Carlton Hurst scored 1000th career point this Basketball Season • After-school activities offered to all students who wish to participate one Thursday each month right after school(soccer, movies, talent show, dance, etc.)

11. Aurora Central – 2011-12 State of School ReportCommunity: Enrollment • How many students in your boundaries do not attend your school? (past 3 yrs) 2011-12 = 765 2010-11 = 578 2009-10= 424 • How many of these students are in charter schools? (2011-12) Total = 271 • How many of these students attend other APS schools? (2011-12) Total = 494: AWCPA 200, Hinkley 158, William Smith 50, APS Online School 39, Gateway 36, Rangeview 10 and Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory 1 • What are two activities you are using to recruiting/retaining students? * Next Slide OPR: Chief Operating Officer And Principals

12. What are activities you are using to recruiting/retaining students? Mailings home to all 8th grade feeder school parents and students promoting HSA, College Academy, 9th and 10th Grade Academy Highlights of positive events and activities are sent to the Communications Department Counselors, teachers, coaches, administrators visit MS campuses throughout the year to recruit 8th Grade students from South, North, Boston, Fletcher visit our campus each spring; HSA invites North MS students to visit our HSA classes and have lunch Newsletters home to parents Brochures developed for the ACHS, HSA, College Academy Continual development of pathways and adding college courses Professional development of teachers on creating relationships and best practices to retain students Providing after-school activities for students not engaged in clubs, sports, or other activities in the school Home visits (400 - 1st sem. 2011), phone calls, and individual conferences with students Using school TE for truancy coordinators Mentors from Colorado Youth at Risk for at-risk students

13. Teacher leaders and coaches in Math and Literacy have been significantly cut or eliminated; capacity pulled out of the building and little or no district PD to support remaining teachers Open periods are affecting attendance and lack of a full schedule may affect graduation rate Administrators are spending more time on supervision than before Intervention classes in Math significantly decreased by 25 classes. Expanding Pathways difficult due to qualifications of teachers The district professional development focus is on new teachers who we are not keeping due to cuts. Capacity is not built with all non-probationary teachers in tested areas. Not enough elective classes; many classes over 50 students, i.e.; PE, Choir, Theatre Concerns about safety of students and staff due to reduction of support staff. Budget Cuts