High Schools for a New Society

• 2295 standard high school diplomas were granted in 2007, an increase of 144 from 2006.
• From 2003 to 2007, the number of diplomas earned increased 24%, although the number of high school students grew only 3%.
• Of May 2007 graduates, 73% enrolled in college for the Fall 2007 semester.
• 1533 graduates enrolled in 152 different colleges in 32 states and Canada; the number of students enrolling in college has increased four consecutive years.
• Hamilton County (adult) High School opened in the fall of 2004 to serve students who had falled behind or dropped out.  As of May 2007, Hamilton County High School has graduated 527 students, 31% of whom have enrolled in college.
• All Hamilton County high schools have freshmen transition programs to help ninth graders make a successful transition to high school.
• Eleven high schools feature career academies for specialized academic training in subjects such as business & technology, education, engineering, environmental sciences, global studies, health sciences, and transportation.

• The percentage of middle school students passing the state's reading exam increased from 84% in 2005 to 90% in 2007.
• The percentage of middle school students scoring advanced in reading increased from 30% in 2005 to 38% in 2007.
• The percentage of middle school students passing the state's mathematics exam increased from 86% in 2005 to 88% in 2007.
• The percentage of middle school students scoring advanced in mathematics increased from 30% in 2005 to 36% in 2007.
• The percentage of all 8th grade students passing Tennessee's Algebra Gateway exam rose from 46% in 2006 to 53% in 2007.

  Benwood Initiative

• In 2007, seven of the eight Benwood schools earned “A”s in Tennessee's Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS) in math and reading/language arts.
• In 2007, 80% of all third graders scored proficient or advanced in reading/language arts, up dramatically from 53% in 2003.
• In 2007, 74% of all third graders scored proficient or advanced in mathematics, up dramatically from 50% in 2003.
• Benwood Foundation's trustees voted in May to continue and expand the Benwood Initiative to support 16 schools through 2012.

• As Osborne Fellows, 32 teachers working in high-poverty schools have earned a Masters Degree in Urban Education.  Another 10 will graduate in May 2008.
• Among the graduated Osborne Fellows, 40% are now serving in formal and informal leadership positions in their schools.
• The percentage of teachers who have a Master's degree and are working in high-poverty elementary and middle schools has increased from 39% in 2003 to 48% in 2007.
• By 2009, this number will be almost identical to the district average for all schools.

  Leadership Initiative

• Since 200, more than 250 Hamilton County teachers have benefited from the Leadership Fellows program.
• In 2007, 36 Leadership Fellows are serving as principals, 46 as assistant principals, 11 as lead/model classroom teachers, 30 as numeracy or literacy leaders, and 3 as change coaches.
• 375 teachers and principals attended the second annual literacy leaders institute in May.
• 81 principals attended the winter principals' retreat, and 325 principals, assistant principals, and teacher leaders will attend the tenth annual summer leadership retreat in July 2008.