Model Schools

As we've traveled around the country, the campaign has seen some great examples of schools that are using innovation to educate their students. These model schools can serve as a good example for other schools around the country that are looking for ways to improve their students' academic performance.

We're going to be posting our full list of model schools online shortly, but in the meantime I wanted to take a moment and highlight two of the schools on the list and share with you some of the things that they are currently doing:

Interlake High School -- Bellevue, Wash.

In order to ensure all students are prepared for college and work, Interlake implemented a rigorous AP and IB curriculum open to the entire student body, regardless of their academic history. They also eliminated basic math courses and now encourage all students to complete pre-calculus prior to graduating. With consistent student support, especially for entering 9th-grade students who struggled with math in middle school, Interlake has seen the number of 10th-grade students scoring proficient and above in math increase from 49 to 73 percent in just four academic school years.  Additionally, Interlake’s Class of 2007 had an average math SAT score of 550, nineteen points higher than the state average and thirty-two points higher than the national average.

Centennial Place Elementary School -- Atlanta, Ga. 

Centennial Place has a student population that is about 90 percent African-American and 60 percent low-income with a stream of students coming in from a nearby homeless shelter. All but a handful of students have met or exceeded state standards for the past few years, placing the school as one of the top schools in the state. The school utilizes a year-round schedule, meaning additional learning time for students who need it.  Centennial Place has adopted high standards that prepare students for high school and college. Older teachers are paired with newer teachers as mentors and coordinated instruction allows teachers to provide cohesive and coherent lessons. There is professional development on a monthly and yearly basis, and each teacher meets with the principal twice a year to discuss their class data, lesson plans, and plan for meeting standards.