THINK COLLEGE NOW SCHOOL OVERVIEW
The Need
Today, less than one in 20 high school students in the Oakland Unified School District is eligible to attend a University of California school.
History & Vision
In 2003, David Silver and a core of committed parents realized their goal of opening a public elementary school focused on closing the achievement gap and giving all students an equal opportunity to attend college and pursue their dreams.
Demographics
255 students, kindergarten through 5th grade
73% Latino, 20% African-American, and 7% Asian-American
68% English-language learners
91% at or near the poverty line, receiving subsidized or reduced-price lunches
Located in the Cesar Chavez Education Center (Oakland's first new school building in 30 years) in Oakland's diverse Fruitvale community
Theory of Action
We will achieve our vision of equity through:
College focus
High expectations
More time for students
Small class sizes
Free access to after-school programs specializing in homework, music, art, and leadership
Strong family and community involvement, including partnerships with like-minded community organizations
Recruitment and hiring of outstanding teachers and staff
Professional development and group collaboration for staff
Recognition
TCN's unique environment and achievements have been recognized in several ways:
Media features (ABC7, San Francisco Chronicle, Oakland Tribune)
Recognized by U. S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee for strength of parent involvement
Campus chosen as exemplary site for district’s $24 million grant presentation in 2005
OUSD Executive Officer Bill Conrad: “This is one of the top 5 schools I have seen in the country. This is a model school.”
Results
Greatest Academic Performance Index (API) improvement of any school in 150-school district (API score rose 109 points in one year to 718)
Language Arts, 2005-06: Over 30% at or above grade level, tripling last year's performance
Math, 2005-06: Over half at or above grade level, exceeding No Child Left Behind target of 25%
Although we've been open for only three years, Think College Now has already made dramatic student achievement gains in every subject. Between 2005 and 2006, we had a 20% increase in the number of students scoring at or above grade level in Mathematics and English Language Arts on the California Standards Test (CST). In addition, over 80% of the students who started TCN in kindergarten are at or above grade level in math, as measured by CST scores. Finally, we had greater Academic Performance Index (API) growth than any other school in the OUSD – an unprecedented jump of more than 100 points (from 609 to 718). According to annual satisfaction surveys conducted by the Think College Now Family Resource Center, 99% of parents feel positively about having their child at our school. Furthermore, 85% of students agree with the statement: “I like school at TCN." As proof of our reputation for academic achievement, TCN received 140 applications for 40 kindergarten spots in 2005-6.
Support
Government funds alone are not enough to give our students everything they need in order to continue making ambitious strides. TCN relies on private donations to:
Keep class sizes small
Give students access to the same resources as children in wealthier communities
For more details on our needs, please see our Support Page.
Juntos, Si Se Puede. Together, Yes We Can.