Achievement First
Achievement First Schools
Achievement First Network Overview
Achievement First operates a network of 22 public charter schools in New Haven, Bridgeport and Hartford, CT, and Brooklyn, NY. In the 2012-13 academic year, we are serving more than 7,000 students in grades K to 12.
Achievement First schools offer a college-preparatory environment in which all students will learn, achieve and go to college. The school day and year are structured to infuse students with a love of learning and to provide them with the academic and character skills necessary to succeed in college and a competitive world.
What Makes Achievement First Schools Great
- More time on task: The Achievement First school day and year are longer than those at traditional public schools. The school day runs from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with tutoring before and after school. Over the course of a K to 12 education, this extra time amounts to one additional year of instruction.
- Excellent teachers: The primary factor impacting student achievement is teacher quality. At Achievement First, we are committed to ensuring that there is a talented and caring teacher in every classroom. We dedicate significant time and resources to recruiting great teachers from across the country and to providing our teachers with the support and professional development they need to achieve excellence.
- Intensive reading program: Achievement First students spend at least three hours each day on reading instruction. Students benefit from whole-class instruction, small-group instruction and a robust independent reading program. Students are also expected to read at home for 20 minutes each night.
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Support for struggling students: All students will learn—we accept no excuses. Achievement First students are assessed in the core subjects every six weeks so that struggling students can be identified and receive help before they fall too far behind. Every Achievement First school offers a combination of before- and after-school tutoring, small-group instruction during the school day, and Saturday tutoring to make sure that every student receives the help that he or she needs.
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Unwavering college focus: We continuously expose students to college. Beginning in kindergarten, Achievement First students are preparing to go to college. Our classrooms are named after colleges and universities, each grade is identified by the year they will graduate from college, and students make
annual field trips to colleges and universities. We aim for a 100 percent college acceptance rate for our
high school seniors. -
Commitment to character education: All students live by the REACH values (Respect, Enthusiasm, Achievement, Citizenship and Hard Work). Our goal is to develop well-rounded students, and we teach these character values as explicitly as we teach academics.
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Palpable love of learning and joy: Achievement First students know that it is "cool" to be smart and that learning is fun. Students are frequently and systematically recognized for academic achievement and good behavior. Students can earn everything from recognition at award ceremonies to trips to bowling alleys, amusement parks and movie theaters.
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Team and family atmosphere: Education is a team sport. Academic breakthroughs and high student achievement require teamwork between parents, students and teachers. At Achievement First, students, parents and teachers sign a contract outlining their shared commitment to hard work and consistent support of one another.
