the Report - Aspire Public Schools

2013-2014
School Year
in Review
Letter from Our
CEO and Board Chair
Dear Friends,
The 2013-2014 fiscal year was a banner year for Aspire Public Schools! We marked our 15th
anniversary by celebrating the accomplishments of our students, our history and our established
reputation as a national leader in education reform.
Aspire serves more students in more schools than ever before and remains one of the largest public
charter school systems in the nation. Today, we operate 38 schools, serving 14,600 students
throughout California and in Memphis, Tennessee. For the fifth year in a row, 100% of our graduating
seniors received admissions to four-year colleges and universities. We continue to make College for
Certain a reality for our students.
P RE PARING
ST U D EN TS
K TO 1 2 FOR
COLLEGE
College readiness drives everything we do. This remains our north star as we strive to increase
the number of college-ready Aspire graduates year after year. Achieving this goal requires strong
commitment and investment in developing highly effective educators in every classroom. We’ve
created a robust model of observations, professional development resources and career opportunities
and rewards for teachers and non-teaching staff.
Our mission calls us to go even further than the students we serve directly to share our successful
practices with others to help catalyze change broadly. This includes opening Aspire schools in cities
where broad ripple-effect is greatest, and supporting scalable opportunities to share. In the fall
of 2013, we opened our first Aspire schools in Memphis, Tennessee, a city poised to redefine public
education. We continue to help aspiring charter school organizations replicate and grow while
maintaining quality student outcomes. We maintain our partnership with Schoolzilla, an Ed Tech data
analysis company created at Aspire and spun out as an independent entity. Today, Schoolzilla serves
over one million students nationwide, and is an example of our work creating national catalytic
impact well beyond the students we directly serve.
Aspire has always operated within a highly efficient model, and strong financial stewardship remains
a top priority. We weathered the California budget crisis incredibly well because our disciplined approach
to managing resources served us well, and our philanthropic supporters continue to respect this key
piece of our success.
We’ve learned a lot over the last 15 years, and have so much more learning to do. We embrace our role as
a national leader and colleague for reform-minded educators. We remain committed to staying on the
cutting edge of innovative practices in education to improve results for students. We cannot do this work
alone. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to our supporters, educational partners, staff, students and their
families. Together we can truly change the odds stacked against far too many students across our country.
Thank you for your support.
James Willcox
Chief Executive Officer
Beth Hunkapiller
Chair, Aspire Board of Directors
Aspire Public Schools 2013-2014
1
Celebrating 15 Years
of College for Certain
In 1998, longtime public school educator Don Shalvey joined forces
with Silicon Valley entrepreneur Reed Hastings to launch Aspire Public
Schools, one of the nation’s first charter management organizations.
Aspire is now one of the nation’s highest performing and well respected
school systems, serving over 14,600 students in 38 schools throughout California and in Memphis, Tennessee. Aspire provides a rigorous
college readiness education from grades K to 12. For the past five years,
100% of Aspire graduates have received admission to four-year colleges.
Our Mission:
To open and operate small, high-quality charter schools in low
income neighborhoods, in order to:
Our Vision:
Every student
is prepared to
earn a college
degree.
• Increase the academic performance of underserved students
• Develop effective educators
• Share successful practices with other forward-thinking educators,
and
• Catalyze change in public schools.
2
Aspire Public Schools 2013-2014
Aspire Public Schools 2013-2014
3
Changing the Odds
for Underserved Students
Who We Serve:
Over two-thirds of
Aspire schools serve
more than
80
%
Preparing Students
K-12 for College
100% of graduates were admitted to fouryear colleges and universities for the fifth
consecutive year
Beginning in kindergarten, our students know they are heading to
college. From their first day, our students are immersed in a collegegoing culture with rigorous instruction. They master critical skills to
succeed, in school and beyond.
Aspire’s four-year graduation rate is over 90%
Studies show that by the 4th grade, a student’s academic achievement
is a key indicator to their future college success. We are proud that our
students, by their 4th grade and beyond, are on the path to college.
(as calculated by the National Governor’s Association)
On average, our students graduate with over
15 college credits already complete, giving
them a huge leg up in their first year
economically
disadvantaged
students
Nearly
50
%
of Aspire students
are or were English
Learners
–Aspire Graduate 2014
Aspire students are more prepared to
succeed in college than their peers:
How We Compare:
California
85
%
students of color
60%
more Aspire students read on or above grade level
than the national average
% more Aspire students read on or above
150
grade level compared to their lowincome peers nationally
National Average (Math)
80%
more Aspire students are at or above math
proficiency than the national average
National Average (Math) of Low-Income Students
200%
4
Aspire Public Schools 2013-2014
Local Districts
National Average (Reading)
National Average (Reading) of Low-Income Students
Aspire schools serve
“I have been
in Aspire for
eight years.
It has only
made me a
better person. Aspire has
shown me that there is
unlimited potential no
matter what background
you come from.”
more Aspire students are at or above
math proficiency compared to their
low-income peers nationally
Comparison of 2013 NAEP results and Aspire results for 4th grade.
Aspire
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Based on completion rate of required courses for admittance to California State or University schools.
100
%of our graduates
were admitted to college
“Aspire has
helped me by
continuously
pushing
me to do
better in my school
assignments. At Aspire,
I learned that I can
achieve greater things
by continuously aiming
for more.”
–Aspire Graduate 2014
Aspire Public Schools 2013-2014
5
Developing highly-effective
teachers & school leaders
“There’s a passion
that everyone
shares to educate
and ensure that
their students
receive the best
education and
environment that
can be provided.”
–Aspire Teacher
Aspire believes one of the most important keys to preparing students
for college is a highly-effective teacher in every classroom. Aspire
is leading the nation in providing tools and resources to train and
develop teachers.
Our teachers have the tools they need to succeed.
100% of teachers receive a rubric-based
observation
Over half of our teachers serve in leadership
roles, supporting peers
Every teacher is provided an individual
professional development plan
“The commitment
to serve students
by building
strong teachers is
powerful.”
–Aspire Teacher
Teachers collaborate with grade and contentalike colleagues to share best practices
Compensation and rewards are based on years
of effective practice
With a focus on meeting the needs of new teachers, Aspire Teacher
Residency (ATR) provides hands-on classroom experience, one-onone mentorship from a highly-effective teacher, a Master’s degree
and teaching credential.
“ATR stands out for the
way that it looks at
the training of urban
educators as a quality
long-term investment,
giving us incredible
training and offering
us significant support
in the classroom.”
–ATR Graduate
Aspire understands strong school leaders are at the core of every
successful school. We empower our school leaders, and have
developed our in-house Aspire Principal Residency (APR) to
develop new school leaders.
“The administration,
teachers, support
staff, and students
give it their all
every single day.”
“The training I receive surpasses all of the training I have
received in my tenure as an educator.” —APR Graduate
Aspire Public Schools 2013-2014
of ATR graduates are
effective or highly
effective in their
first year
50
%
of our residents
represent the
communities
we serve
80
%
–Aspire Teacher
6
95
%
of graduates are still
teaching at Aspire
Aspire Public Schools 2013-2014
7
Catalyzing Change
in Public Schools
National Expansion into Memphis
“What we like best
about Aspire is the care
they give to make each
student be successful
at school and in life.”
–Aspire Memphis parent
In school year 2013-14, Aspire opened
schools outside California for the first time
with our national expansion to Memphis.
With a commitment to help catalyze
change in public schools, Aspire is part
of Tennessee’s state-wide efforts to turnaround the lowest performing schools.
2013-14: 2 schools serving 600 students
2014-15: 3 schools serving 1,100 students
…growing to 10 schools serving 5,600 students
Increased grade-level reading from 3% to 25%
89% of parents rated our schools an “A” or “B”
90% teacher retention
in the news
Let public charter
schools succeed
How One LA School is Becoming
a “Titan” of Blended Learning
8
Aspire Public Schools 2013-2014
Data Analysis
Ed Tech Schoolzilla
Aspire’s launch of Schoolzilla
marked the first time a public
school system developed and
shared an innovative student
performance tool with all other
school systems. Schoolzilla is
considered an innovative ed
tech company, providing crucial
student information to teachers
and school leaders in school
districts across the country. Over
1 Million
Students
Served
Schoolzilla already serves hundreds of schools, district and charter alike, across
the country, making data tools that originated at Aspire available to teachers and
school leaders nationwide.
Blended Learning Innovations
Aspire teachers at center of
fierce national debate
As Apprentices in Classroom,
Teachers Learn What Works
Innovating and
Sharing What We Learn
A Win for Los Angeles Kids
Editorial: Aspire Public Schools is
doing neighborhood homework
Sharing successful practices with other forwardthinking educators is part of Aspire’s mission.
Aspire has expanded our blended learning model
into more schools, allowing students to work with
online tools at their level and pace, while teachers
collect real-time data to inform their instruction. Aspire
has launched 12 blended learning schools since 2011.
Aspire continues to share our blended learning model
with others, and currently has a book in production to
further share our learnings and practices.
Aspire Public Schools 2013-2014
9
2013-2014 Financials
FY2014 Revenue
Government Revenue
$135,018,427
Local Revenue
$1,283,703
Private Funding (grants,
donations, and in-kind)
$14,597,444
1%
2013-2014 Supporters
FY2014 Expenses
Program Expenses
$111,360,574
89%
84%
10%
15%
1%
Admin Support
$20,102,269
Fundraising
$1,235,517
Statement of Financial Position
Aspire Alumna Rena Stone
speaks at Aspire’s Inaugural
College For Certain
Fundraising Dinner
10
Aspire Public Schools 2013-2014
Current assets
Non-current assets
Total assets
$73,838,072
$149,549,485
$223,387,557
Current Liabilities
Long-term Liabilities
Net Assets
Total Liabilities and Net Assets
$17,328,282
$150,759,319
$72,628,238
$223,387,557
$1,000,000+
$10,000+
Anonymous
Charter School Growth Fund
The Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation
Patty Quillin and Reed Hastings
Helen and Charles Schwab
Tipping Point Community
U.S. Department of Education
The Clayton Christensen Institute
Susan and Peter Colby
Warren Felson and Lucy Sun
Marci Glazer and Jonathan Kaplan
The Peery Family Fund
Sally and Jeff Snipes
TPG Capital
$500,000+
Achievement School District
The Eli and Edythe Broad
Foundation
$100,000+
Anonymous
EDUCause
The Green Foundation
Beth and Michael Hunkapiller
J.R. Hyde Senior Family Foundation
Steven L. Merrill
NewSchools Venture Fund
The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
Stuart Foundation
$50,000+
The Joseph Drown Foundation
The Sidney E. Frank Foundation
$25,000+
Jean-Pierre Conte
Kimberly and Jonathan Garfinkel
Louise Muhlfeld Patterson and
Arthur Patterson
Helen and Richard Spalding
Joyce and Robert Wisner
$5,000+
CharterSafe
Leslie and George Hume
Lynzi Ziegenhagen and Lindsey
Lack
Schoolzilla
Anna Utgoff and Nicolas Spicer
$1,000+
Stephanie and Philip Alvelda
Nicole DeLorne Barker and Michael
Barker
Connie and Barry Baron
Gretchen and John Berggruen
Bingham McCutchen, LLP
Leslie and Walter Burlock
Charter Property Group
John Chino
Nancy and Ed Conner
Sayed and Elise Darwish
Sarah and Jason DiLullo
Susan and Robert Finnochio
Courtney Benoist and Jason Fish
Randi and Bob Fisher
Coley and Steve Florance
Cara and Scott France
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Gilbert Associates, LLP
Chi Kim
Gary Larson
Victoria and Edward Leonard
Includes funds received during the fiscal year from 7/1/2013-6/30/14.
Debbie and Peter Magowan
Tracy Leeds and Evan Marwell
Scott Mauvis
Eileen and Peter Michael
Julie and Will Parish
Tom Periac
Mary and Jeff Pickard
Debra and Andrew Rachleff
Karen and George Rathman
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
Reasoning Mind
Kristin and David Ritterbush
Betsy Blumenthal and Jonathan
Root
Nancy and Jason Rosenthal
Don Shalvey
Sonitrol
Stifel, Nicolas, and Company
Angie and Richard Thieriot
Lauren Dutton and Glen Tripp
Ultimate Software Group, Inc.
Wells Fargo
David Whorton
Lisa and Ted Williams
Diane and Alfred Wilsey
Carey Wintroub
Aspire Public Schools 2013-2014
11
Our Schools
Central Valley
Bay Area
Sacramento
Aspire Alexander Twilight College
Preparatory Academy, K-5
Aspire Alexander Twilight Secondary
Academy, 6-12
Aspire Capitol Heights Academy, K-5
Berkeley
Aspire California College Preparatory
Academy, 9-12
East Palo Alto
Aspire East Palo Alto Charter School, K-6
Aspire East Palo Alto Phoenix
Academy, 7-12
Stockton
Aspire APEX Academy, K-5
Aspire Benjamin Holt College
Preparatory Academy, 6-12
Aspire Langston Hughes Academy,
6-12
Aspire Port City Academy, K-5
Aspire River Oaks Charter School, K-5
Aspire Rosa Parks Academy, K-5
Aspire Vincent Shalvey Academy, K-5
Oakland
Aspire Berkley Maynard Academy, K-8
Aspire College Academy, K-5
Aspire ERES Academy, K-8
Aspire Golden State College Preparatory
Academy, 6-12
Aspire Lionel Wilson College Preparatory
Academy, 6-12
Aspire Monarch Academy, K-5
Aspire Triumph Technology Academy, K-5
Modesto
CA
Los Angeles
Huntington Park
Aspire Antonio Maria Lugo Academy, K-5
Aspire Centennial College Preparatory
Academy, 6-8
Aspire Huntington Park Charter School, K-5
Aspire Junior Collegiate Academy, K-5
Aspire Ollin University Preparatory
Academy, 7-10
Aspire Pacific Academy, 6-7 &11-12
Aspire Titan Academy, K-5
Los Angeles
Aspire Inskeep Academy, K-6
Aspire Slauson Academy, K-6
Aspire Tate Academy, K-6
12
Aspire Public Schools 2013-2014
Empire
Aspire Vanguard College Preparatory
Academy, 6-12
TN
South Gate
Aspire Firestone Academy, K-5
Aspire Gateway Academy, K-5
Aspire Summit Charter Academy, K-5
Aspire University Charter School, K-5
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Advisory Board
Warren Felson, Private Investor
Jonathan Garfinkel, TPG Capital
Beth Hunkapiller, Board Chair, Educator &
Administrator
Steven L. Merrill, Venture Capitalist
Richard C. Spalding, Kearny Venture Partners
Greg Jones, President & CEO (Retired) of State Farm
General insurance
Louise Muhlfeld Patterson, Human Resources
Executive
Melvin J. Kaplan, Chief Executive Officer, Wellington
Financial Group
Richard Yanowitch, Start-up Executive and Board
Director
Sponsoring Districts
Achievement School District Alameda County Office of Education
Ceres Unified School District
Lodi Unified School District
Los Angeles County Office of Education
Los Angeles Unified School District
Modesto City Schools
Oakland Unified School District
Ravenswood City School District
Sacramento City Unified School District
San Juan Unified School District
Stockton Unified School District
Sylvan Union Elementary School District
Tennessee
Memphis
Aspire Coleman Elementary School, Pre K-5
Aspire Hanley Elementary School #1, Pre K-6
Aspire Hanley Elementary School #2, Pre K-6
Aspire Public Schools 2013-2014
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Aspire Public Schools
1001 22nd Avenue, Suite 100
Oakland, CA 94606
510-434-5000
aspirepublicschools.org
[email protected]