New Day Academy is a small school that offers individualized education and rigorous curriculum focused on critical thinking. It has higher student performance than peer schools in middle and high school, and has received positive ratings from city and state evaluations. However, the school was scheduled for closure without sufficient time to improve its high school grade as allowed under the accountability framework. The document argues that with a new principal, Ms. Ganales, who has a track record of school improvement, New Day Academy has the tools to continue making significant academic progress.

8. On the contrary…. In an e-mail sent to reporters by DOE spokesman William Havemann, “low ELA and Math proficiency rates” were given as a reason for closing New Day Academy. Student performance in the middle school and high school is higher than the majority of peer schools! 1

9. 2009 Middle School Progress Report 1 Student performance in the middle school and high school is higher than the majority of peer schools!

10. ELA Math 1 Student performance in the middle school and high school is higher than the majority of peer schools!

11. But once again…. In an e-mail sent to reporters by DOE spokesman William Havemann, “low graduation indicators” from the 2008-2009 school year were given as a reason to close New Day Academy. 1 Student performance in the middle school and high school is higher than the majority of peer schools!

12. 2009 High School Progress Report 1 Student performance in the middle school and high school is higher than the majority of peer schools!

13. Graduation Rate Weighted Rate 1 Student performance in the middle school and high school is higher than the majority of peer schools!

16. 2 New Day Academy has shown significant improvement in student performance. ELA and Math Scores of Incoming Students (MS peer index) New Day Middle Lowest incoming scores in D12

17. 2 New Day Academy has shown significant improvement in student performance.

18. ELA and Math Scores of Incoming High School Students 2 New Day Academy has shown significant improvement in student performance. Weighted for Poverty, Sp Ed, ELL, Overage and other factors (DOE HS peer index)

22. 3 Other city and state evaluations have given high ratings to New Day Academy! New York City DOE School Quality Review Some Highlights • The school routinely identifies trends in student progress and performance and determines students’ strengths and areas of need . • Teachers enhance students’ interest in their lessons by connecting them to real world examples. • The principal and the faculty work together effectively to do what is best for students, earning them the trust of the community they serve. • The school offers students and their parents a comprehensive set of supports and activities that bridge the cultural differences between home and school.

24. 4 No time was given to improve the high school grade, violating the accountability framework! Under the DOE’s accountability framework, schools that receive an overall grade of D or F on the Progress Report are subject to school improvement measures. If no significant progress is made over time , a leadership change (subject to contractual obligations), restructuring, or closure is possible. - Page 1 The phase-out violates this framework: No time has been given after the progress report grade to make the “significant progress”!

26. 5 New Day Academy has the tools to continue to make significant progress! Under the DOE’s accountability framework, schools that receive an overall grade of D or F on the Progress Report are subject to school improvement measures. If no significant progress is made over time, a leadership change (subject to contractual obligations), restructuring, or closure is possible. - Page 1 No measures were taken to remedy any perceived problem. A leadership change was made, but NO time was given to make progress!

27. Principal Ganales She can help us!!