Wendy Ramos - shared upcoming school events

• Haunted Heights:  Join us for our annual event on Wednesday, October 30, 2025, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM.
• Interim Assessments: Taking place from November 1 to November 8, 2024.
• School Closure: In observance of Veterans Day, school will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2024.

Middle School Principal, Dr. Crystal Joye shared:

Our Middle School has had a strong start, with a monthly attendance rate of 95.6% for the end of September. We currently serve 252 students in grades 5 through 8, including 68 English as a New Language (ENL) learners and 56 students receiving additional support services. 

According to our recent New York State assessments, 54% of students demonstrated proficiency in Mathematics, reflecting a 15.4% increase, while 51.3% demonstrated proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA), a 9% improvement.

We have completed 95% of our Beginning of Year (BOY) assessments and are now engaged in data analysis to inform interventions, instructional strategies, and professional development efforts. The Danielson Framework is being utilized to guide both formal and informal observations, as well as structured daily walkthroughs, to monitor the overall climate of the school.

Areas identified for growth include teacher recruitment and student enrollment. We are actively recruiting for two teaching positions (English as a Second Language and 8th-grade Science). In addition, we are working to increase student enrollment and seeking partnerships to support these efforts.

Rcruitment efforts has let to full staffing of a new ESL Teacher.

Finally, Dr. Joye shared the details of the middle school's trip to Medieval Times.

High School Principal, Fred Givens shared:

The High School began the academic year with an in-depth analysis of last year’s data. Notable areas of strength included: 

1. Algebra II, English, and Italian, with over 90% of students achieving a passing score on the Regents exams, 
2. 10% increase in Global History Regents scores, rising from 69% to 79%, 
3. An average score of 4 on the AP Precalculus exam, surpassing both the New York State and global averages, 
4. On the AP U.S. History exam, 14 out of 23 students earned a score of 3 or higher, a marked improvement from the previous testing cycle where no students passed, and 5) a continued increase in the mean score on the AP Literature exam for the fourth consecutive year, from 1.5 to 2.87.

However, there is a significant need for improvement in our science Regents courses, where the pass rate remains around 50% or lower across all exams. To address this, we have adjusted math class placements based on students' previous performance, and in some cases, created smaller sections to provide more targeted instruction. Additionally, we added extra sections of Earth Science and Chemistry to reduce class sizes, particularly in light of increased student enrollment. This week, we also launched 9th-period intervention classes to provide students with additional academic support.

Wendy Ramos shared that New Heights Academy Charter School has been recognized as a standout institution in *The Opportunity Makers*, a recent report published by The New Teacher Project (TNTP) in October 2024. She also noted that she will share the press release and report with the board.

Li’Esha Garcia provided a general financial update, mentioning the ongoing finalization of the audit. She also shared that she is exploring options for a new financial institution due to a recent line of credit denial. 

Additionally, she is looking for ways to diversify income through corporate grant applications.

Maya Roberts suggested considering a grant writer or consultant to assist with these efforts.