ANIMAS HIGH SCHOOL RELEASES CSAP SCORES
Despite not “Teaching to the test”, AHS students perform well on standardized tests
Durango, Colorado – August 8, 2010 – Animas High School, a free, public charter school, opened in the Fall of 2009 to its first class of 75 freshmen. In its first year, Animas High School’s rigorous college preparatory program resulted in excellent student achievement.
The school recently received 2010 CSAP data for its students, with positive results. “Our students’ results show that our engaging curriculum, high expectations, and quality teaching pay off in standardized tests,” said Michael Ackerman, Animas Head of School. “Our students’ scores in all three areas tested (reading, writing and math) rank above state and district (Colorado Charter School Institute) averages.”
According to the Colorado Department of Education, the 2010 scores for AHS students were as follows:
Despite not “Teaching to the test”, AHS students perform well on standardized tests
Durango, Colorado – August 8, 2010 – Animas High School, a free, public charter school, opened in the Fall of 2009 to its first class of 75 freshmen. In its first year, Animas High School’s rigorous college preparatory program resulted in excellent student achievement.
The school recently received 2010 CSAP data for its students, with positive results. “Our students’ results show that our engaging curriculum, high expectations, and quality teaching pay off in standardized tests,” said Michael Ackerman, Animas Head of School. “Our students’ scores in all three areas tested (reading, writing and math) rank above state and district (Colorado Charter School Institute) averages.”
According to the Colorado Department of Education, the 2010 scores for AHS students were as follows:
89% proficient or advanced in Reading
71% proficient or advanced in Writing
59% proficient or advanced in Math
Colorado state averages for all 9th grade students in 2010 were as follows:
68% proficient or advanced in Reading
48% proficient or advanced in Writing
39% proficient or advanced in Math
These results indicate that AHS students learn and retain content that meets Colorado state standards as measured by the CSAP tests. The teaching methodologies at AHS explicitly do not “teach to the test.” Instead students apply their content knowledge in meaningful ways through relevant projects. For example, this year students wrote and illustrated graphic novels based on ancient texts; built and tested bridge models for structural strength; created videos and web sites; and developed resolutions and negotiated revisions in Model UN; among many other projects.
Each semester, students present these projects to the public at exhibitions, which improves the quality of the work and reinforces their understanding of key concepts.
In addition, AHS students’ results can be attributed to the individualized attention each student receives. Teachers focus on identifying and improving each student’s unique academic strengths and weaknesses. Students develop academic and personal goals, and teachers use quantitative and qualitative assessment data to monitor each student’s progress.
According to CDE data, AHS students also scored favorably in comparison to local public schools.
Comparable scores for Durango High School freshmen in 2009 (the last year public records are available) were as follows:
48% proficient or advanced in Writing
39% proficient or advanced in Math
These results indicate that AHS students learn and retain content that meets Colorado state standards as measured by the CSAP tests. The teaching methodologies at AHS explicitly do not “teach to the test.” Instead students apply their content knowledge in meaningful ways through relevant projects. For example, this year students wrote and illustrated graphic novels based on ancient texts; built and tested bridge models for structural strength; created videos and web sites; and developed resolutions and negotiated revisions in Model UN; among many other projects.
Each semester, students present these projects to the public at exhibitions, which improves the quality of the work and reinforces their understanding of key concepts.
In addition, AHS students’ results can be attributed to the individualized attention each student receives. Teachers focus on identifying and improving each student’s unique academic strengths and weaknesses. Students develop academic and personal goals, and teachers use quantitative and qualitative assessment data to monitor each student’s progress.
According to CDE data, AHS students also scored favorably in comparison to local public schools.
Comparable scores for Durango High School freshmen in 2009 (the last year public records are available) were as follows:
77% proficient or advanced in Reading
62% proficient or advanced in Writing
47% proficient or advanced in Math
Comparable scores for Bayfield High School freshmen in 2009 (the last year public records are available) were as follows:
62% proficient or advanced in Writing
47% proficient or advanced in Math
Comparable scores for Bayfield High School freshmen in 2009 (the last year public records are available) were as follows:
79% proficient or advanced in Reading
42% proficient or advanced in Writing
29% proficient or advanced in Math
Comparable scores for Ignacio High School freshmen in 2009 (the last year public records are available) were as follows:
42% proficient or advanced in Writing
29% proficient or advanced in Math
Comparable scores for Ignacio High School freshmen in 2009 (the last year public records are available) were as follows:
35% proficient or advanced in Reading
20% proficient or advanced in Writing
15% proficient or advanced in Math
Animas High School (AHS) continues to grow. Later this month, the school will welcome a new freshman class to join the current students, who are progressing to 10th grade. There are a small number of spaces still available for freshman and sophomores for the 2010-2011 academic year.
About Animas High School:
Animas High School is a small, free, public charter school in Durango that offers a rigorous, personalized, college preparatory curriculum. AHS delivers its curriculum through direct instruction and projects that give students the opportunity to apply their learning in relevant, real-world ways. Its cohesive, inclusive school culture welcomes all students socially and challenges them academically.
AHS values:
20% proficient or advanced in Writing
15% proficient or advanced in Math
Animas High School (AHS) continues to grow. Later this month, the school will welcome a new freshman class to join the current students, who are progressing to 10th grade. There are a small number of spaces still available for freshman and sophomores for the 2010-2011 academic year.
About Animas High School:
Animas High School is a small, free, public charter school in Durango that offers a rigorous, personalized, college preparatory curriculum. AHS delivers its curriculum through direct instruction and projects that give students the opportunity to apply their learning in relevant, real-world ways. Its cohesive, inclusive school culture welcomes all students socially and challenges them academically.
AHS values:
● Rigorous academics, where all students are prepared for college success.
● A culture of excellence, where students are held to high expectations.
● Strong faculty-student relationships, where students are well known.
● Engaging education, where students discover the relevance of their learning.
● A culture of excellence, where students are held to high expectations.
● Strong faculty-student relationships, where students are well known.
● Engaging education, where students discover the relevance of their learning.
