Glimpse of Life at MAPCS
Maya Angelou Public Charter School Scores National Honor for Student Improvement
by Marian White-Hood, Ph.D., Director of Academics, Principal Support and Accountability
The Maya Angelou Public Charter School has received a national honor for making significant student achievement gains on the state achievements tests at the high school level. Our MAPCS-Evans high school campus was one of only two charter high schools in the District of Columbia to receive a Silver Gain Award through the Effective Practices Incentive Community (EPIC) initiative developed by New Leaders for New Schools. Moreover, our Evans campus was one of only four high schools that received this distinction nationally!
This recognition means that students at that campus showed significant academic gain on the DC-CAS test scores comparing gains from our scholars in the 8th grade and the 10th grade. Based on a value-added model of 99 charter schools from 18 states and the District of Columbia by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. (MPR), an independent and nationally recognized research firm, our MAPCS-Evans campus ranked 6th out of 20 high schools nationwide. Our MAPCS-Shaw campus received similarly high marks although it was not among those officially ranked by MPR. This award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our staff, teachers, parents, and most importantly, our scholars, said Thaly Germain, principal of the MAPCS-Evans campus.
In the coming weeks, the SFF/MAPCS community will host a school-wide celebration for students and staff, and share our best practices with other schools nationally. As noted by SFF/MAPCS Executive Director Cynthia Robbins, “This award is evidence that our approach to education is working, and we look forward to next year’s review as we strive to achieve even higher gains.”
EPIC is a $90 million nationwide initiative aimed at boosting student achievement by identifying high-performing principals and teachers in the nation's public charter schools and providing them with financial incentives and leadership opportunities to share their effective practices with other principals and teachers in public schools nationwide.
High-performing schools offer valuable strategies and provide real-life examples of the path to achievement. At MAPCS, we measure the success of our students not by just how they perform while attending our school, but also by what they go on to accomplish beyond our school’s walls. Through a unique and comprehensive school model paired with a safe and caring learning environment, our students are on the right track to succeed. It’s working, and the proof is evident.
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Glimpse of Life at MAPCS
BUILDing a Powerful Partnership
See Forever/Maya Angelou and BUILD
by Michael Faulkner, Director of Entrepreneurial Service/Program Support Manager
We are thrilled to report MAPCS’ launch of a new partnership with Business United in Investing, Lending and Development (BUILD) – a four-year entrepreneurship-focused college preparation program. After years of success in California, BUILD has now opened its first east coast office in Washington, D.C., and MAPCS was the first school invited to participate. BUILD’s mission is to provide real-world entrepreneurial experience that empowers youth from under-resourced communities to excel in education, lead in their communities, and succeed professionally. Through its programming, BUILD uses entrepreneurship as a vehicle to reengage students who may be disengaged from school and who may not view college as an option.
As part of this collaboration, during the 2008-2009 school year, MAPCS will add a compelling 9th grade BUILD class at both the Evans and Shaw campuses, as well as an enrichment class serving all MAPCS high school students as part of our after school program offerings. The program will introduce students to key economic principals, cultivate students’ interest in business and entrepreneurship, and introduce students to the requirements for college admissions.
With similar missions to see that underserved youth have every opportunity to succeed, it is obvious that the BUILD program will be a welcome addition to our school’s programming. We truly believe that by working together, BUILD and MAPCS can enhance students’ education, college preparation and future professional careers through the teaching of entrepreneurship.
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