Our Mission

Our mission is to help urban school districts and their partners transform urban schools into places where all students achieve academic proficiency, evidence a love of learning, and graduate well prepared to succeed in post-secondary education, the workplace, and their communities.

There are several influences or indicators that can lead to success including are the adults (teachers and administrators) learning; are decisions driven by data; are the adults collaborating; is the leadership engaged; and are there relationships with parents and among parents.

In the end though, it all comes back to leadership.  The leadership must generate clear purpose, unwavering passion, and powerful persistence.

• Purpose: Schools that achieve dramatic difference in results are driven — not to avoid sanctions — but, to improve students’ lives.  Teachers, administrators, and support staff are united in purpose: They will create learning environments that lead every student to success in school and life.
• Passion:  Schools that achieve dramatic difference in results show a passion for building and sustaining a climate in which every student, parent, and staff member knows that they are a valued, respected member of the school community.  As well, they are passionate about improving teaching and learning continuously.
• Persistence:  Schools that achieve dramatic difference in results persist as they encounter challenges, setbacks, and frustrations.  As well, they persist in their improvement efforts even when they exceed the results achieved by other schools.  They keep moving forward when others lose hope or become comfortable with their current levels of performance.