After a decade of growth, we are more optimistic than ever about our potential to deliver on the promise of equal education for all and that our students will climb the mountain to college. The hard work of our teachers, students and parents is paying off as their extraordinary achievement results receive local, state and national attention. As our organization grows, we continue to be committed to the core value "People Matter, Mightily."

Student Achievement Highlights

• In 2007, Amistad Academy was highlighted by the U.S. Department of Education as one of seven schools in the country that are models for closing the achievement gap.

• In 2008, both Achievement First Crown Heights and Achievement First Endeavor received straight "A"s on the New York City Department of Education Progress Reports (only these two schools had the two years of testing data required to receive Progress Report grades). Achievement First Crown Heights was in the top four percent of all New York City schools, and Achievement First Endeavor was in the top one percent. In fact, Achievement First Endeavor ranked number four among nearly 1,100 K to eight schools in New York City.

• In 2008, the state test results of Amistad Academy High School's 10th-grade students positioned these students as number one in the region for reading and number two for writing, outperforming students in both Madison and Guilford, CT.

• In 2008, the Amistad Academy Orchestra and the Achievement First Bridgeport Academy Jazz Ensemble participated in concerts in New Haven, Bridgeport and Brooklyn. We had our first network-wide Achievement First Music Celebration on June 20, 2008, with orchestra, jazz band, dance or step team performances from almost every school in the network.

• In 2009, our oldest New York students—Achievement First Crown Heights Elementary and Achievement First East New York Elementary fourth graders—demonstrated 93 percent proficiency in English Language Arts and 99 percent proficiency in math on New York state tests.

• In 2009, Achievement First Hartford Academy's inaugural fifth-grade class demonstrated the greatest performance gains from fourth grade of any Hartford public school.

2008-09 Organization Survey Highlights

Achievement First Central Results

• 98 percent of central team members agreed that their colleagues are committed to doing top-quality work.

• 97 percent of central team members felt positive about working at Achievement First.

• 95 percent of central team members believed that someone at work cares about them as a person.

• 95 percent of central team members felt that they are personally contributing to Achievement First’s mission.

• 93 percent of central team members indicated that in the last six months, their manager has helped them identify strengths and areas of growth.

• 92 percent of central team members indicated that in the last week, they have received recognition or praise for doing good work from a colleague or leader.

Achievement First School Results

• 94 percent of school team members felt that they are personally contributing to the Achievement First mission.

• 93 percent of school team members agreed that their colleagues are committed to doing top-quality work.

• 93 percent of school team members believed that their school uses data strategically to drive student achievement.

• 90 percent of school team members felt that someone at work cares about them as a person.

• 89 percent of school team members indicated that they have the material and equipment they need to do their work effectively.