Cohort 6
Chicago
Principal, Jacqueline Vaughn Occupational High School

 

 

 

 

Dr. Rusty Burnette arrived at Vaughn Occupational High School in 2007 and saw a good school with the potential to become great.  Vaughn is one of a handful of Chicago Public Schools that serves high school students with mild to moderate cognitive disabilities.  While Vaughn had seen some success in the past, Dr. Burnette was ready to motivate and push this unique community to the next level of academic performance.

Dr. Burnette’s first priority was to get to know every member of the school community: students, families, team members and local community and business partners. His focus on the school’s culture paid off – student transition and independent living skills improved, post-secondary options increased, and the social and emotional needs of students were now being met at a high level.

Student achievement outcomes also increased. Between 2007 and 2011, Vaughn Occupational High School moved from 91% of students meeting and 53% of the students exceeding standards on the Illinois Alternative Assessment to 100% of students meeting standards and 76% of students exceeding standards. Additionally, Vaughn Occupational High School became accredited as a quality school by North Central Association/AdvancED and became one of a small number of Chicago Public Schools nationally noted as a Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) for its school counseling program.

Dr. Burnette emphasizes that the successes at Vaughn were not the work of one person. No matter a staff member’s role, everyone’s work was of equal importance and critical to the school’s achievement.  Above all else, Dr. Burnette set an expectation that did not allow for anything but excellence.

Dr. Burnette’s advice for aspiring school leaders: Always ask your team and yourself, “Would this be good enough for your child or mine?”

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