Executive Summary Template School Accreditation

2015-2016

The Executive Summary (ES) provides the school an opportunity to describe in narrative form its vision as well as strengths and challenges within the context of continuous improvement. Use this template to complete the responses to the various questions below. The responses should be brief, descriptive, and appropriate for the specific section. Transfer completed narratives into the corresponding sections of the Executive Summary found online in ASSIST.

Description of the School

Attucks Middle School was built in 1927 as a high school and officially became a middle school in 1970. It is located in the neighborhood of Liberia, in the city of Hollywood, Florida, in Broward County. The school has been retrofitted to provide internet and technology access to 100 percent of the classrooms. To better prepare our eighth grade students for the transition to high school, they are housed in their own two-story wing, which was constructed in 1978.
The school is home to the Cambridge Global Communications Academy, the first Cambridge Middle School in Broward County. Currently, the program serves
Grade 6 and is expected to become a 6 through 8 magnet program by the year 2018, adding a grade level in each of the coming years. The school strives to promote public school choice, and thereby improve the quality of education of its diverse population. All stakeholders supported the school's efforts to become the first Cambridge Global Communications Academy in the district. The magnet program draws students from the neighborhood, as well as from diverse target schools throughout the district.
Attucks Middle School serves a multi-ethnic school population that consists of 649 students from a predominantly urban community. Current demographic information shows that 50 percent are Black, 30 percent are Hispanic, 15 percent are White, 3 percent are Multiracial and 2 percent Asian. Economically disadvantaged students account for more than 87 percent of the population as indicated by participation in the free or reduced lunch program, which gives the school a Title I designation. Additionally, 13 percent of students are Students with Disabilities (SWD),9 percent are classified as English Language Learners (ELL) and 2 percent of students are gifted.
Attucks Middle School employs a staff of 75 employees, 45 of which are full time teachers. On average, our teachers have 12 years of total teaching experience, which is 3 more than the district average of 9 years. Out of the 169 classes taught at Attucks Middle, 156, or 93% are being taught by Highly Qualified teachers as defined by the Federal Government. Currently, Cambridge training is being provided to the teaching staff. The demographic breakdown of the teaching staff is 25 percent White (non-Hispanic), 40 percent Black (non-Hispanic),6 percent Hispanic, 8 percent Asian/Pacific Islander, and 11 percent Multi-Ethnic.
In the last three years, due to the opening of new schools in the area and increased competition from charter and magnet schools, Attucks has seen some decline in enrollment, however, in conjunction with the district we have rebranded our school and magnet programs and are currently increasing our marketing efforts. Become a Cambridge Global Communications Academy was an important step in reviving our enrollment.

Describe the school's size, community/communities, location, and changes it has experienced in the last three years. Include demographic information about the students, staff, and community at large. What unique features and challenges are associated with the community/communities the school serves?

School’s Purpose

Attucks Middle School consistently strives for excellence in order to meet or exceed expectations for the academic, social, and emotional growth and success of our students. We create lifelong learners by providing opportunities for students to become innovative learners, and develop creative and critical problem-solving skills, to meet dynamic global demands and ensure that all students are on the path to college and career readiness. We maximize our resources through collaborative partnerships with our community, and our business and education partners. We pursue excellence for every student, every day!
Attucks Cambridge Global Communications Academy is committed to actively recruiting students who are looking for a highly rigorous curriculum. Attucks Middle School hosts an annual Magnet Open House and the school is open for scheduled tours as well as shadowing experiences for interested students. The school is engaged in an effort to promote the magnet program to students interested in our magnet theme. Attucks Middle School’s ethnic demographics reflect our pledge to diversity.
The vision of Attucks Cambridge Global Communications Academy is to engage students in proven active learning strategies and a rigorous curriculum to the students. Our curriculum, magnet electives, and general electives embody the themes of the program. Attucks continues to offer Communications Broadcast Arts coursework in addition to our new Cambridge Global Communications Academy, offering students opportunities in Video Production, Microsoft Certification, Foreign Language, Debate, as well as a new Band program. The school offers nine high school credits, with rigorous course work, including: Algebra, Geometry, Biology, Spanish I and II, Debate I and II, Television Production, and Microsoft Certification.
The thematic principles help our students acquire interpersonal skills, better work habits, and help shape their values and morals. Students are given a full range of opportunities to develop these principles and skills throughout their classes within the guidelines of the magnet program. The long term goal is that the combination of ideals, principles and skills will carry over into their high school years, ensuring students will be college and career ready, and into adulthood.
Attucks Middle School’s ultimate mission is to provide a quality education to all students, ina safe and secure environment while providing unique educational opportunities through the study of our Cambridge Global Communications Magnet Program.
Attucks Middle School strives to foster and establish a culture of growth and positivity that encourages students to value education and academic achievement for all students. Attucks makes an outstanding effort in the areas of volunteer recruitment, community partnerships, family involvement, student community service, and the efforts of the school's advisory council known as SAC.

Provide the school's purpose statement and ancillary content such as mission, vision, values, and/or beliefs. Describe how the school embodies its purpose through its program offerings and expectations for students.