Significant progress at Friendship Southeast Elementary Academy

The parents in Ward 8 finally have a Southeast Academy of which they can be proud.  If you remember the history of this school the charter board closed it in 2005 for failing to meet its academic targets.  It was then re-opened by Friendship Schools.

A press release last week from FOCUS reveals the significant improvements that have taken place at the charter.  According to the release, "Friendship Southeast Elementary Academy achieved 35 percent growth in the number of students scoring proficient on the DC-CAS between 2006-2009."

This achievement has the school meeting AYP in both math and reading in 2009 through the safe harbor rules.  It also just won an award from New Leaders for New Schools.  The organization's effective Practice Incentive Community Program recognizes schools that demonstrate significant gains on student standardized test scores.  The program will provide educators with financial rewards for revealing to New Leaders for New Schools their best practices for improving students academically.

According to Barnaby Towns, director of Communications for FOCUS,  "It is a great tribute to the school leadership, teachers and students that Southeast was ranked six out of 89 schools that competed."

You can learn more about the EPIC Award here.