By Henry Bryant
Burgess Peterson Academy (BPA) located in East Atlanta has just received very good news regarding test scores at the school. The academic program, which can be described as a mixture of traditional, inquiry-based, and constructivist teaching, has truly impacted high student achievement. The overall results for BPA on the Criterion Reference Competency Test (CRCT), an annual standardized test that is given in grades 3-8, are reason for the school to be proud: Reading-90%, English Language Arts (ELA)-91%, Math-85%, Science-80%, Social Studies-85%. These percentages reflect the number of students who met or exceeded the state standards in these subject areas. Not only have these scores improved over previous years, but they are also keeping pace with the numbers being reported by other districts and the state as a whole. Writing performance also took a leap with 87% meeting or exceeding the state standard.
The credit for the high scores can be given to the staff, the parents, and the volunteers at the school for all of the extra things they do with and for the students. BPA’s approach to cultivating the whole child academically, socially, and emotionally is another factor.
Bridged partnerships with the community have resulted in increased numbers of students choosing to attend Burgess Peterson Academy. The community contact has resulted in various programming options that are offered to stimulate student learning. This summer, BPA was recognized for the “Partner Up for Public Heroes Award” for work with community partners.
Partnership programs have included the Comprehensive Gardening curriculum supported by master gardeners within the East Atlanta Community (commonly known to the students as Ms. Michelle and Ms. Rebecca). The Outdoor Classroom was built using grant funds from Principal Robbins’ winning of the prestigious Atlanta Families’ Award for Education, a $7,500 grant given to a small number of educators within the district who meet certain criteria. This would not have been possible without support by the community, parents, and local businesses on the actual build day.
Another program area is the continued focus on healthy eating and fitness for students, which has also received several awards and recognition including a visit from First Lady Michelle Obama. The program was also awarded the USDA Healthier School Award (Bronze Level) and 2-year grants from the USDA Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Program (FFVP), where students receive a fruit or vegetable every day as a healthy snack.
In a big plus, BPA was awarded a $1-million federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) grant. This has provided for what is commonly known as “The Scholar Academy,” which gives students in first through fifth grades an extended academic day geared towards learning targets and goals. The program also offers a wide array of activities, including tennis, martial arts, dance/drama, and soccer, all free of charge for students (including bus transportation home).
Support from the local Zeist Foundation, Inc. resulted in additional programming, teacher grants, field trips, tutoring for students, and Saturday school. Because the students really enjoy competition-based learning, Accelerated Reader is another of the special programs that has motivated students to engage in reading.
The staff has also been busy in classroom programs like Science Lab, which focuses on inquiry-based, hands-on teaching. The homeroom teacher and the science lab teacher collaborate and plan lessons to support the science standards taught in the classroom. It is evident that students truly enjoy this level of engagement. In the three years that Science Lab has existed, there has not been a single discipline referral from that classroom during instructional time.
Two pre-kindergarten classrooms that at one time faced the possibility of closing due to low enrollment are now both full at 22 students, with a waiting list to get in. Since community engagement began with tours of the school and outreach in the neighborhood, perceptions about the school and its programs have changed. There has also been an acceptance of new ideas and constructive criticism as a way to improve the school as a whole. Parental engagement continues to flourish in the 2012-13 school year, evident in a 100% increase in PTA membership and support. The 2013-14 school year promises similar or better results according to PTA leaders at the school.
“Convocation” meetings are held every Monday at 7:45am. The entire school assembles in the gym to highlight the accomplishments of the previous week. While celebratory in nature, Principal Robbins uses this time to build self-confidence in students, letting each grade level rotate to lead these gatherings. Even the pre-K students have a month. They celebrate EVERYTHING – Accelerated Reader, perfect attendance, student of the month, and more. They also reiterate school expectations as they relate to behavior and working hard to meet goals.
BPA is a school which welcomes ALL students and proudly serves students with a variety of disabilities. There are seven special education units to accommodate disabilities ranging from autism to cognitive/developmental delay beginning at age three.
Comments are closed.