“The votes of support by the Sac City School Board are recognition of the
hard work and outstanding achievement of the students and families
attending our schools. Both PS7 and Sac High far exceed the minimum
requirements for renewal set forth in California’s Ed Code and it’s good to
see board members supporting student success and giving our families the
assurance that their students will continue for the next five years in our
system.” said Jim Scheible, Superintendent of St. HOPE Public Schools. “Our
charter schools are focused on a traditionally underserved community and
student population, and we have shown great success closing the achievement
gap with low income and minority students. We look forward to continued
support from the Sac City board and to strengthening our partnership with
the entire district.”

PS7 and Sacramento Charter High School, operated by St. HOPE Public
Schools, provides a high-quality, rigorous college preparatory education.
PS7 is a modified year-round, K-8 public charter school committed to
providing students the skills and training necessary to prepare them for
success in a college preparatory high school and to earn a degree from a
four-year college or university. Sacramento Charter High School is a
college prep school focuses on rigorous academics with high expectations
for every student ensuring they are all prepared to graduate from college
and for a career. Sac High is at the top of an education pipeline in Oak
Park and brings together the ultimate goal of all St. HOPE Public Schools:
high-quality education that opens the door to college and beyond.

PS7’s academic performance has increased substantially since its founding
in 2003, particularly in recent years. The school’s Academic Performance
Index (API) score is currently 911, which is 133 points above the state
average, and the proficiency rates in both English and Math are well above
the average of surrounding public schools in Sacramento County. These
achievements allow PS7 students to begin high school ahead of many of their
counterparts in 9th grade and PS7 alumni are well on their way to college
as demonstrated by PS7’s first alumni class who are now high school seniors
preparing to leave next fall for college.

Sacramento Charter High School has also improved drastically since it
opened as an independent charter school in 2003. The school is among the
best in the state when compared to other high schools servicing similar
demographics earning a similar schools ranking of 10 out 10 from the
California Department of Education. The school’s Academic Performance Index
(API) score is 786, which demonstrates a total growth of 218 points since
2003. Sac High also has increased the percentage of students being accepted
into four-year colleges or universities – 84% of the 2012 graduating class
has already received their acceptance to at least one four-year college.

###

*About St. HOPE Public Schools*

St. HOPE Public Schools (SHPS) is a nonprofit public benefit corporation
operating four schools in the Oak Park neighborhood of Sacramento, CA. SHPS
focuses on serving Sacramento’s neediest students, providing them with a
high-quality, rigorous college preparatory education. Triumph (preschool
and PreK), PS7 (grades K-8), Oak Park Prep (grades 7-8, opening fall 2012),
and Sacramento Charter High School (grades 9-12) provide personalized
attention for all students, commit to more time in school, including an
extended day, and achieve outstanding academic results. The four schools
serve approximately 1,500 students and are working relentlessly to create
one of the finest urban PreK-12 grade school systems in America and ensure
all students earn a college degree.

* *

*Families wishing to apply to Triumph, PS7, Oak Park Prep, or Sac High
should contact Admissions Coordinator Roxana Wells at **
rwells@sthopepublicschools.org* *, or call
the (916) 649-7910.*

Dear PS7 families,

Thank you for showing your commitment to PS7 and to the future of your children by becoming part of our team and family.  We have experienced tremendous success at PS7 and the collective achievement of all your children have lifted PS7 to be one of the highest performing schools in California.

I would like to invite all of you to attend the Sacramento City Unified School District’s board meeting on Thursday, April 12^th at 6:30 p.m.  At this meeting the board will be voting to renew PS7’s charter for five more years so we can continue to provide an excellent education for your children and those who will enter school in the coming years.  It is important that all our families and students come out to attend this event and show support for our school and our children’s future.

Over the past five years we have accomplished tremendous things at PS7, including most recently being named charter school of the year for all of California.  Let’s come together and provide our community with another reason to celebrate as we are approved for five more years of outstanding student achievement.

Some important information is below and additional updates will come out next week via phone and fliers home with your children as we will have an event prior to going to the board meeting.

In partnership,

Jim Scheible

Superintendent,

St. HOPE Public Schools

Who: All PS7 families, parents, students, staff and supporters

What: PS7’s charter renewal hearing and vote

When: Thursday, April 12^th, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Serna Center, 5735 47^th Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95824

Why: We need to support our children and show them their education is the key to their future

Flyer/Letter: PS7 Charter Renewal Meeting Information

St. HOPE Public Schools’ founder, Mayor Kevin Johnson said, “We started PS7 with the unshakeable belief that low income and minority children could learn and achieve equally as well as their more affluent peers. Over the past eight years, the students, families and staff at PS7 have transformed my belief into reality. One of the proudest moments in my life came last year when I learned that PS7 third graders were the highest scoring students in reading in Sacramento. Today, PS7 is not just a great school for Oak Park or the city of Sacramento; PS7 is a beacon for what is possible in the state of California.”

PS7, operated by St. HOPE Public Schools, is a modified, year-round, K-8 public charter school committed to providing students the skills and training necessary to prepare them for success in a college preparatory high school and beyond. Like other programs within the St. HOPE Public School pipeline, PS7 focuses on primary facets that include academics, a college-focused culture, life skills, extended learning, education enrichment, and parent engagement. Students visit college campuses each year, are supported based on individual need, and are empowered to set high expectations for themselves and their community.

PS7’s academic performance has increased substantially since its founding in 2003, particularly in recent years. The school’s Academic Performance Index (API) score is currently 911, which is 133 points above the state average, and the proficiency rates in both English and Math are well above the average of surrounding public schools in Sacramento County. These achievements allow PS7 students to begin high school ahead of many of their counterparts in 9th grade and well on their way to college.

Additionally, over the past nine years, PS7’s achievements include being named a California Distinguished School, receiving the Title I Academic Achievement Award twice, and PS7 was the only school in Sacramento County that was nominated for a National Blue Ribbon School in 2010. Also, PS7 was ranked the 8th highest-performing charter in California by the USC School Performance Dashboard.

“We are honored to receive this award, but most of all we are proud of the accomplishments of past and present PS7 students who are the key to our future generations’ success,” said Jim Scheible, Superintendent of St. HOPE Public Schools and former Principal of PS7. “This award from CCSA would not be possible without our hardworking students, their committed parents, and all of our dedicated teachers and staff.”

PS7’s efforts and success were also featured in CCSA’s Chartering and Choice as an Achievement Gap-Closing Reform: The Success of California Charter Schools in Promoting African American Achievement, a report which shows that, overall, charter schools in California are effectively accelerating the performance of African American public school students, and are earning higher API scores and proficiency rates statewide, in many urban districts and across all subjects when compared with traditional public schools.  PS7 was one of only six schools in the state to meet the criteria established by CCSA for serving African American students at a high level.

CCSA’s Hart Vision Award was given at the 19^th Annual Charter Schools Conference held at the Sacramento Convention Center.

###

About St. HOPE Public Schools

St. HOPE Public Schools (SHPS) is a nonprofit public benefit corporation operating four schools in the Oak Park neighborhood of Sacramento, CA. SHPS focuses on serving Sacramento’s neediest students, providing them with a high-quality, rigorous college preparatory education. Triumph (preschool and PreK), PS7 (grades K-8), Oak Park Prep (grades 7-8, opening fall 2012), and Sacramento Charter High School (grades 9-12) provide personalized attention for all students, commit to more time in school, including an extended day, and achieve outstanding academic results. The four schools serve approximately 1,500 students and are working relentlessly to create one of the finest urban PreK-12 grade school systems in America and ensure all students earn a college degree.

Families wishing to apply to Triumph, PS7, Oak Park Prep, or Sac High should contact Admissions Coordinator Roxana Wells at rwells@sthopepublicschools.org, or call the (916) 649-7910.

When: Tues. Dec. 13th, 2011 @ 5:30 PM with Q&A Starting @ 6:30 PM

Where: The Mel Lawson Theater at Sac High

Why: Take advantage of the opportunity to ask your board member questions and hear from him about how his position on St. HOPE

*As you may know, the SCUSD Board is no longer looking at Sac High and West Campus swapping or co-locating next year.

When asked by the Sacramento Bee about his position on Sac High, SCUSD Board Member Patrick Kennedy says the issue of how to best use the Sac High building is separate from whether or not Sacramento Charter High School is a good school. He notes that test scores have gone up at Sac High since it went charter, as have graduation rates and the number of students going on to college. Still, though Kennedy was not on the board at the time of the bitter fight over Sac High’s conversion, he says he would have opposed closing Sacramento High School and turning it over to St. Hope. Of course, Kennedy added, “Once the toothpaste is out of the tube, it’s real hard to get it back in.” Dec. 30th, 2010.

The results of the report show that charter schools are effectively accelerating the performance of African American public school students, and are earning higher Academic Performance Index (API) scores and proficiency rates statewide, in many urban districts and across all subjects when compared with traditional public schools. In addition, African American students are enrolling at higher rates in charter schools than traditional schools at all grade levels, in some cases at close to twice the rate, and are experiencing better outcomes.

“This report has unearthed a wealth of insight into the performance, needs, and possibilities for African American students,” said Jed Wallace, president and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association.”Chartering and Choice as an Achievement Gap-Closing Reform adds to this body of scholarly research, confirming what parents as well as charter teachers and leaders have always known, that African American students can achieve at high levels and deserve quality educational choices.”

“I applaud CCSA for investing in this much needed analysis! Documenting the positive impacts public charter schools have had on closing California’s achievement gap not only helps to dispel a variety of myths, but further empowers African American parents to become informed consumers of the educational options available to their children,” said Ursula Wright, interim president and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. “In many instances, public charter schools are providing pathways to academic success for African American students and these schools should be encouraged accordingly.”

Chartering and Choice as an Achievement Gap-Closing Reform examined performance and enrollment trends in both California charter public and traditional public schools from school years 2006-07 to 2009-10. All enrollment and performance data came from the publicly available Academic Performance Index (API) and the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) files maintained by the California Department of Education (CDE).

The results show that California charter public schools have consistently earned higher African American API scores and proficiency rates statewide, in many urban districts, and across subjects. From 2007 to 2010, African American student API scores in California charters grew from an average of 678 to 713. This last year, the score was 19 points higherthan the average statewide African American API score for traditional schools.

Using CCSA’s own performance metric, the Similar Students Measure (SSM)¹ , charter public schools serving African American students were more than three times as likely as traditional public schools to consistently outperform their predicted performance in a single year and overtime.

Closing the achievement gap among African American students and their White and Asian peers remains a significant challenge in public education. Indeed, few schools have demonstrated that they are highly effective educators of African Americans; however, charters are much more likely to be in this group. While charters make up only 9% of schools statewide, they represent 39% of highly effective schools for African American students.

The report also includes three case studies of charter public schools serving a high percentage of African American students in three key cities to identify best practices. The schools were Watts Learning Center in Los Angeles, KIPP Bridge in Oakland, and PS7 in Sacramento. Common practices at the three schools included: a clear mission statement focused on academic achievement and developing students, a standards-based curriculum based on critical thinking skills, results-focused instructional practices, among others.

The case studies demonstrated that the best practices implemented by charter schools effectively educating African American students are readily available, having been well documented in scholarly literature.

“What this report shows is that African American students are experiencing better outcomes in charters, and that as laboratories of innovation, California’s highly effective charter public schools can demonstrate proven paths to success that should be replicated nationally,” said Dr. Aisha Toney, Director of Research, CCSA.

Charter schools are public schools that are tuition-free, have open enrollment, serve all students, and enjoy greater flexibility in exchange for higher accountability.

For more information visit www.calcharters.org/AfricanAmericanReport

October 6, 2011:
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact: Vicky Waters, CCSA
(415) 505-7575
vwaters@calcharters.org

About the California Charter Schools Association

The California Charter Schools Association is the membership and professional organization serving 912 charter public schools and more than 365,000 students in the state of California. The Vision of the California Charter Schools Association is to usher in a new era in public education so all students attend independent, innovative, accountable schools of choice. The Mission of the California Charter Schools Association is to influence the legislative and policy environments, leverage collective advocacy, and provide resources to support our members in developing and operating high quality, charter schools reflective of California’s student population. For more information, please visit www.calcharters.org.

^{1 For more information on the SSM, visitwww.calcharters.org/advocacy/accountability/portraitofthemovement/index.html}

This year we will graduate our first alumni class from PS7.  PS7 alumni received several offers and many of our PS7 students also received full or partial academic scholarships. This is just a “snapshot” of what students have been offered thus far, check back to see the progress. There are still more offers coming in! Congratulations to our scholars!

PS7 College Acceptance Map

Basic Google Maps Placemarks error: JavaScript and/or CSS files aren't loaded. If you're using do_shortcode() you need to add a filter to your theme first. See the FAQ for details.

• Alabama A&M University

  

  4900 Meridian Street North, Normal, AL 35762

  
   
   

• Alabama State University

  

  915 S. Jackson St., Montgomery, AL 36104

  
   
   

• Alcorn State University

  

  1000 ASU Drive, Alcorn State Mississippi 39096

  
   
   

• Benedict College

  

  1600 Harden St., Columbia, SC

  
   
   

• Bennett College for Women

  

  900 East Washington St., Breensboro, NC, 27401

  
   
   

• Bethune-Cookman University

  

  640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, Daytona Beach, FL 32114

  
   
   

• Claflin University

  

  400 Magnolia St., Orangeburg, SC 29115

  
   
   

• Clark-Atlanta University

  

  223 James P. Brawley Dr., SW Atlanta, GA 30314

  
   
   

• Dillard University

  

  2601 Gentilly Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70122

  
   
   

• Grambling State University

  

  403 Main St., Grambling, LA

  
   
   

• Hampton University

  

  100 East Queen St., Hampton, VA

  
   
   

• Huston-Tillotson College

  

  900 Chicon St., Austin, Texas, 78702

  
   
   

• Langston University

  

  4205 North Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK, 73050

  
   
   

• Lincoln University

  

  1570 Baltimore Pike, Lincoln University, PA 19352

  
   
   

• Morgan State University

  

  1700 East Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore MD 21251

  
   
   

• North Carolina Central University

  

  1801 Fayetteville St., Durham, NC 27707

  
   
   

• Paine College

  

  1235 Fifteenth Street, Augusta, GA 30901

  
   
   

• Philander-Smith College

  

  900 Daisy Bates Dr., Little Rock, Arkansas 72202

  
   
   

• South Carolina State University

  

  300 College Street, Orangeburg, SC 29117

  
   
   

• Texas Southern University

  

  3100 Cleburne St., Houston, TX 77004

  
   
   

• Virginia State University

  

  1 Hayden Dr., Petersburg, VA 23806

  
   
   

• Wilberforce University

  

  1055 N. BICKETT RD. WILBERFORCE, OH 45384-1001

  
   
   

• Wiley College

  

  711 Wiley Avenue, Marshall, Texas 75670

  
   
   

• Xavier University

  

  1 Drexel Drive New Orleans, LA 70125

  
   
   

For the seventh consecutive year PS7 showed gains on the CST, both overall and relative to their peers.  PS7 students were the highest performing students in the Sacramento City Unified School District on ten of seventeen CSTs and they were the second, third or fourth highest performing on three additional exams.  This means that PS7 students had the highest percent of their grade level proficient or advanced in a particular subject when compared to all district schools on 59% of the 2-8 grade CSTs administered.  Furthermore, as shown at the bottom of the table below, when compared with students across the state, PS7 students are scoring 23 percentage points higher in ELA and 36 points higher in math.

PS7 CST Results, 2011*

*Table does not include results or rankings for PS7 results on the CSTs for science (5^th and 8^th grade) or History (8^th grade).

          SCUSD Average: ELA 49%, Math 49%            CA Average: ELA 54%, Math 50%

In addition to strong results on the CSTs, PS7 also remained steady with an API of 911.  This leaves PS7 with the fourth highest API in the school district for the second year in a row.  In regards to AYP PS7 met 13 out of 13 criteria and students continue to perform well above minimum targets set under the No Child Left Behind criteria.  Further analysis reflects that PS7 students continue to out-perform their peers across the state when compared to similar groups of students as the chart of API scores below demonstrates.

*all grades

PS7 students continue to prove that when provided a high quality, college-prep education, all students can rise to the challenge and the achievement gap can be closed.  In addition, PS7 is proving that students from traditionally underserved backgrounds can perform as well as or better than their more affluent peers given proper support, more time and the high expectations that all students will leave prepared to succeed in college.  “We set an ambitious goal at St. HOPE Public Schools to eventually see 100% of our students graduate from four-year university. These results are undeniable proof that, while we still have work to do, we are on a trajectory to achieve that goal,” says Jim Scheible, the recently named superintendent of St. HOPE.

St. HOPE’s results mark a contrast to the overall trend among California schools as the state works to close the achievement gap. Despite state reforms over the past decades, the gap between minority students and white students across California has narrowed slightly. PS7 has shown just the opposite and over the course of the last eight years has not just closed the achievement gap, but reversed it.  PS7, with a student population that is well over 90% African American and Latino, and has over 70% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, has shown a 273 point increase in its API since opening in the 2003-04 school year, compared to an average API increase in California of 86 points in that same period.  Based on last year’s results PS7 earned a 10/10 ranking by the state, the highest possible score.  A preliminary review of this year’s results suggests that this ranking will be maintained.

Other recent results for PS7:

-       Title 1 Academic Achievement Award for school years 08-09 and 09-10

-       California Distinguished School based on results for the 08-09 school year

-       Only school in Sacramento County nominated for a Blue Ribbon Award in 2010

-       Ranked a 10/10 school by the state for 09-10 results

-       Ranked the 8^th highest performing charter school in California by the USC School Performance Dashboard released in the Spring of 2011

# # # #
About St. HOPE Public Schools
St. HOPE (SHPS) Public Schools is a public charter school system that focuses on students from low-income and minority backgrounds, providing them with a high-quality, rigorous college preparatory education. PS7 (grades K-8) and Sacramento Charter High School (grades 9-12) provide personalized attention to their students, committing more time with an extended school day to achieve academic results. SHPS also operates Triumph Center for Early Childhood Education, a public preschool providing unique early childhood education to approximately 65 children. The three schools serve approximately 1,500 students.

Click here to download this Press Release as a PDF.