Responsive Education Solutions

More Than 80 Percent of ResponsiveEd Charter Schools Earn State’s Top Academic Ratings

admin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 19:21:46 +0000

District campuses earn eight Exemplary ratings and three Recognized ratings

LEWISVILLE, Texas – July 30, 2010 – Responsive Education Solutions (ResponsiveEd), Texas’ largest public charter school holder, today announced that more than 80 percent of its schools earned the top academic ratings given by the Texas Education Agency. The ratings demonstrate ResponsiveEd is one of the most successful charter school districts in Texas and among the most successful of any school system statewide.

Across the district, eight campuses earned Exemplary ratings and three earned Recognized ratings. The district’s total TAKS met standard measure was 93 percent for all students. Complete district accountability data can be viewed on the TEA website.

“ResponsiveEd has experienced tremendous academic success during the 2009-10 school year,” said Charles Cook, CEO of ResponsiveEd. “The hard work of our students and staff over the past year has produced unprecedented results for our schools.”

Standard Accountability Schools

Rating	2009	2010
Exemplary	5	8
Recognized	2	3
Academically Acceptable	1	1
Academically Unacceptable	0	0

ResponsiveEd’s standard accountability schools—Vista Academy, Quest Middle School and iSchool High—provide students a challenging college preparatory education with student-centered curriculum and programs.

Exemplary campuses include Vista Academy of Amarillo, Vista Academy of Carrollton, Vista Academy of Coppell, Vista Academy of Hickory Creek, Vista Academy of Garland, Vista Academy of Jasper, iSchool High of Lewisville and Quest Middle School. Recognized campuses include Vista Academy of Dallas, Vista Academy of Lancaster and Vista Academy of Willis.

“Our charter schools provide a real alternative for students currently in traditional public schools,” said Cook. “ResponsiveEd offers small classes and a supportive learning environment that enables many children to achieve a higher level of academic confidence and success. The benefits of this approach are demonstrated by exceptional student performance and achieving top academic ratings.”

Premier High Schools, a successful dropout recovery program, had a TAKS met standard average of 92 percent for all students. In addition, all Premier campuses achieved the state’s highest rating under the Alternative Education Accountability system, Academically Acceptable.

“Premier High Schools have achieved tremendous success in raising the standards and expectations for students that have dropped out of local high schools,” said Cook. “I am proud of the Premier staff and administration that continue to change lives and provide hope to hundreds of communities across the state.”

AEA Schools TAKS Met Standard Measure

All Students	92%
African American Students	82%
Hispanic Students	92%
White Students	94%
Economically Disadvantaged Students	92%
Limited English Proficient Students	92%

Student achievement at Premier High School campuses in Abilene and Pharr/McAllen was particularly impressive with 98 and 97 percent of all students meeting the TAKS tests standard.

For more news about ResponsiveEd visit: http://ResponsiveEd.com.

About Responsive Education Solutions
Responsive Education Solutions (ResponsiveEd), Texas’ largest public charter school holder, operates 40 public schools located throughout the state of Texas, including Premier High Schools, Vista Academies, Quest Middle School, iSchool High, and iQ Academy. ResponsiveEd schools are high-quality, free public charter schools that serve at-risk students in grades 6-12, and students on college preparatory tracks in grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. To learn more, visit http://ResponsiveEd.com.

ResponsiveEd and StateU.com

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:30:57 +0000

StateU.com is a network of state universities partnering with school districts to provide high quality, accessible online dual credit courses to all eligible juniors and seniors. Two Texas institutions, University of Texas at Arlington and Lamar University, will be offering college courses to high school students in Texas.

BENEFITS TO THE STUDENTS

• Provides a personalized and stimulating learning opportunity, not limited by schedules, geography or teacher availability.
• Allows all students the equal opportunity to become a part of a competitive citizenry and workforce.
• Enables students to learn from distinguished faculty at a 4-year state university.
• Provides Academic Coaches who personally monitor student engagement and learning.
• Provides transferrable credits.

BENEFIITS TO THE PARENTS

• Provides an incentive and jumpstart for student to enter college.
• Reduces the cost of a college education.
• Allows parents to follow student’s progress.
• Facilitates enrollment through a stream-lined process.

BENEFIITS TO THE DIISTRIICT

• Fulfills the state’s commitment to provide all high school students, including those who
might not have access to college, with 12 units of dual credit each year.
• Increases high school retention and graduation rates.
• Encourages collaboration with state institutions of higher learning.
• Provides principals and district staff with opportunity to utilize staff and funds more effectively.
• Easily implemented with clear and measurable outcomes.

Austin Graduation Ceremonies

admin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 23:42:26 +0000

South Austin Graduation Ceremony

North Austin Graduation Ceremony

Pharr Graduation

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 23:53:40 +0000

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

READYTOWORK® Career Fair!

admin — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 16:08:26 +0000

READYTOWORK®

presents the

2010 RESPONSIVE EDUCATION SOLUTIONS
CAREER FAIR

Saturday, May 22, 2010
10am-2pm

Quest Middle School Gymnasium
1511 FM 407
Suite B-100
Lewisville, TX 75077

For more information click here or please contact:
Cherri Darthard | 972-780-2301 | cdarthard@rtwpeople.com
Constance Lindsay| 972-780-2308 | clindsay@rtwpeople.com

Charter School Takes Alternative Approach to Education

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:21:43 +0000

by Joe Gulick for LubbockOnline

Friends Remember Student, Theresa Allen

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:15:15 +0000

KENS5
KSAT
MySanAntonio

Premier High School senior Theresa Allen was on the verge of realizing her educational dreams when her life was cut short by a tragic accident. While walking home from her bus stop Monday night she was hit and killed by a car that swerved to miss a dog in the roadway.

Allen transferred to Premier High School of San Antonio in August of her freshman year and was set to graduate with her class in 2010. With only two credits left to complete, Astronomy and PE, her goal of completing her course work by spring break was only a few weeks away explained Kathryn Jackson, Campus Director at Premier High School.

“When her family moved to Waco because of her father’s employment Theresa was faced with a difficult decision,” said Jackson. “She wanted to graduate with her class and chose to stay in San Antonio to complete her senior year”.

By choosing to live apart from her parents Allen took on the added responsibilities of her transportation. According to Jackson she often rode the bus an hour and a half to get to and from school.

“She held down a job, was in the top of her academic class, and was mature beyond her years,” said Linda Canales, Registrar at Premier High School. “Theresa was a dedicated student that cared about school, wanted to do well and make her parents proud.” She added.

Rachel Stevens, Premier High School College Readiness Coordinator, said that she had been assisting Allen in applying for college scholarships and working on college admission forms.

“When I told her that she had a very good chance of being the Salutatorian of her 2010 graduating class she was extremely excited. She knew that honor would increase her chances at a college scholarship,” said Stevens.

“Her discipline and dedication paid off when she passed all four state TAKS assessments on the first try”, Stevens continued.

“Theresa showed remarkable strength of character and her enthusiasm for life was contagious,” said Jackson. “She was an amazing young woman whose resilient spirit touched all those who knew her.”

Allen is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Allen of Bellmeade, TX. Allen’s mother was a member of the Premier High School Campus Improvement Committee prior to their move to Waco and her brother had graduated from Premier last year. Services for Allen are pending.

Vista of Hickory Creek beats the TAKS during Vista Night

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:52:52 +0000

With excited pep rally shouts of “Beat TAKS” and the aroma of grilled beef and chicken being cooked on outdoor grills, “Vista Night” brought Vista Academy of Hickory Creek parents, students and friends warmth and joy to a chilly Friday evening.
Well over 500 parents, students, and community members attended the annual event featuring food, fun, and a fund-raising silent auction to benefit the free public charter school serving kindergarten through sixth grade.
Over $8,500 for books, school equipment and staff training was raised by the auction of items donated by community members, parents, staff and students.
“I loved this school the moment I walked in,” explained Teresa Selman, mother of four Vista students. “Everyone has cared so much personally about each one of my kids.
“The school is so small that brothers and sisters always see each other during the day. My children were previously home-schooled, and the staff here has made the transition so easy for them,” she continued.
Pam Womack, mother of Vista Academy students, explained that she was looking for “somebody to care about her son” when she visited Vista. “We’ve gone from previous teachers wanting to hold him back to making straight A’s here.”
“Previously it was a battle just to get him to read for 20 minutes”, Womack said. “Now I tell him to go read and he says ‘OK’ with no problem.
She states that his reading is a hundred times better than last year, his comprehension is a thousand times better, and his enjoyment a “bejillion” times better. There are not enough numbers to tell you how much he enjoys reading now,” she laughed.
Hand-made quilts, stadium seats from the previous Dallas Cowboys stadium, gift baskets, “lunches and dinners with classroom teachers”, and even “a week with no school uniform” were bid on silently in more than 50 classroom auctions.
Over 300 students attend the public charter school located at 800 Point Vista in Hickory Creek.
“Our parents are very dedicated, very community-based, very involved,” explained Andrea Benedict, campus director. “Our Parent Teacher Organization is very strong, very committed. We spent months together planning this event.”
“This is our third year of operation,” she continued. “I came to this campus because I believed in our vision, I believed in our philosophy of individualizing the child.”
When asked how they “individualize a child” in a classroom full of children, Benedict explained an extensive data gathering process which provides an individual student assessment profile.
“We diagnose their learning style. We get to know what kind of learning environment is conducive to them. Are they easily distracted? Are they that student who needs to be redirected? Do they work well with their peers, or not?”
“Here we can get to know them on both an academic and a personal level,” she continued. “We want to install values in our kids. When they go out into the community we want them to respect each other – and themselves.”
Vista Academy of Hickory Creek currently is full with a waiting list of over 50 families.

Quest Middle Schools Senior Visit

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:47:23 +0000

Well after the snows of Valentine’s Day weekend had passed, Quest Middle School students took senior citizens tender loving care in the form of hand-made valentines and a hot breakfast served with friendly smiles.
Though snow and ice prevented students carrying out the Lewisville Senior Center event as scheduled, “It’s never too late for love” as one senior responded with a large valentine in her hand.
Quest students served pancakes and hot drinks to tables of smiling and talkative seniors, who then were individually presented with love and appreciation in the form of cards and booklets made by the students.
“It’s a two-way street,” commented Tom Marsh, studying his 18-inch high valentine after having been recognized by Quest staff as a Veteran having served in the U.S. Army in Germany of 1955. “It’s just been in the last five years that anybody has recognized us,” he said.
“These young people are doing something for old folks, and old folks need a little bit of attention,” he added. “Then we give them attention, they enjoy it, and that makes it the two-way street.
“It’s the whole idea of serving. These kids realize that they get to do something for a change. They think that ‘instead of everybody giving to us, we get to give to these old folks.’
“They’re passing it on, and we really appreciate it. God bless them.”
Seventh-grader Emma Blackmon laughed saying it was fun to “see all the older people and how happy they are. It’s really nice talking to them,” she added.
One of the seniors was so happy to get his plate that he hugged Eighth-grader Audrey Meece.
“He was so happy to see us, his face just lit up,” she added. “Even though these older people are still young and active, they really like it when we come and talk to them.”
Dawson Neal, Quest sixth-grader, mentioned that at first the students didn’t know what to expect. “But when we got here we saw how kind and loving they all are. It has really been fun, and I’d do it again for sure.
“They’ve taught me a lot and I have really enjoyed listening to their stories.”
Quest Middle school is a free public charter school located at 1511 Justin Road, serving students from Lewisville, Flower Mound, Lantana, Highland Village, and many other surrounding communities.

Link to www.newsconnection.com