MetLife Foundation and the National Association of Secondary School Principals named John Marshall Fundamental Secondary School in Pasadena as among the “2014 Breakthrough Schools” in the country.
Nine breakthrough schools were honored for their “high academic achievement despite challenges from high student poverty rates.”
The schools will be officially recognized at the association’s Ignite 2014 Conference in Dallas, Texas, on February 6 to 8.
The MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough Schools program has showcased since 2007 middle level and high schools that are high achieving or have dramatically improved student achievement while serving large numbers of students who live in poverty.
“NASSP applauds these schools for understanding the need to prioritize personalization in the classroom and working to meet the specific needs of each and every student,” said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti.
“The principals of these schools show us all that high poverty doesn’t have to mean low achievement, but that with the right leadership, sufficient time and a clear focus, urban, rural and suburban high-poverty schools can make great strides in academic achievement and overall school success,” Bartoletti added.
The eight other breakthrough schools are Alice Ott Middle School, Portland, OR; Hastings Middle School, Hastings, NE; Troy Howard Middle School, Belfast, ME; Garner Magnet High School, Garner, NC; Maplewood Richmond Heights High School, St. Louis, MO; Oberlin High School, Oberlin, OH; Sleepy Hollow High School, Sleepy Hollow, NY; and William Smith High School, Aurora, CO.
Selection criteria for the award are based on a school’s documented success in implementing strategies that are aligned with the three core areas of NASSP’s Breaking Ranks Framework, including collaborative leadership, personalization, and curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
The organization said the nine breakthrough schools have shown continuous growth on state assessments during at least the last three years and made progress toward reducing the achievement gap. Success in implementing the strategies is documented and verified through school site visits, including meetings with principals, teachers, students and community leaders.
The breakthrough schools will each receive a $5,000 grant and their principals will have the opportunity to participate in Ignite ’14 and other events throughout the year.
For more information on the Breakthrough Schools program and this year’s winners, visit www.nassp.org/breakthrough.
Marshall Fundamental High School is located at 990 North Allen Ave. Call (626) 396-5810 or visit http://marshall.pasadenausd.org for more information.
