The Chicago program has grown to train and support more than 140 New Leaders and currently impacts more than 60,000 students in Chicago. Eighty-four percent of students in schools run by Chicago New Leaders receive free and reduced lunch.

This year was remarkable for Chicago New Leaders. In 2011, 36 percent of schools led by New Leaders produced double-digit gains in math and reading proficiency combined.

Elementary School Results

• Two-thirds of K-8 schools in Chicago led by a New Leader for three or more years have outperformed the district over the course of that tenure, making greater gains on average in reading and math combined.
• In 2011, New Leader schools ranked amongst the highest gaining schools in proficient/advanced out of more than 500 K-8 schools in Chicago. Four schools were in the top 20.
• When New Leader Zipporah Hightower went to Bethune School of Excellence in 2009, 36 percent of the students were proficient in math. Two years later, 68 percent are proficient, making the school the fourth highest gainer in Chicago. In 2010-2011 alone proficiency increased by 21 percentage points.

• In 2011 New Field Primary school was the ninth highest gainer in Chicago in combined math and reading proficiency. Combined proficiency increased by 34 percentage points under the leadership of New Leader Susan Kilbane. Read more about Susan >>
• When New Leader Cindy Wulbert became principal of Nettelhorst Elementary three years ago, 16 percent of students were exceeding standards in reading. Today, 43 percent of students are exceeding standards compared to just 15 percent of students in the district.
• Since New Leader Michelle Navarre became the principal of Polaris Charter Academy, student achievement levels have skyrocketed. The school has gained 54 percentage points in reading and math combined. Polaris ranked fifth in reading gains this year out of more than 500 K-8 schools in reading gains.

High School Results

• Nine of the 31 Gates Millennium Scholars chosen in Illinois in 2011 were students at New Leader schools. That means students at New Leader schools represented nearly one-third of the total awardees.
• In 2011, New Leader high schools in Chicago averaged higher freshmen on-track rates and graduation rates than the district average, minus selective enrollment high schools.
• At Chicago Academy High School principal and New Leader Erin Clarkin has overseen an increase in freshman on-track rates from 61 percent to 81 percent in three school years.

• Between 2007 and 2011, Vaughn Occupational High School moved from 38% of the students meeting and 53% of the students exceeding standards on the Illinois Alternative Assessment to 24% meeting and 76% exceeding standards. Read more about Rusty Burnette>>
• Students at Noble Street Priztker College Prep, led by New Leader Pablo Sierra, were among the top scorers in the district on the ACT, ranking in the top 10 for all CPS high schools and the top two for non-selective enrollment high schools.  Additionally, 73 percent of his students enrolled in college, significantly higher than the CPS average at 56 percent.

Enhanced Scope of Change

After successfully impacting the trajectories of the schools they led, 11 New Leaders have been recognized for their performance and have been asked to lead multiple schools in Chicago.  These leaders include Craig Benes, Jarvis Sanford and Amy Torres:

• During Craig Benes’ six-year tenure as principal, Talcott Elementary School gained an average of 13 percentage points per year in reading and math combined. Now Craig is expanding his influence by serving as chief of schools for the Ravenswood-Ridge Elementary Network in Chicago Public Schools.  Read more about Craig >>
• Jarvis Sanford led Dodge Renaissance Academy for four years, during which time he changed the performance trajectory of the school and left a lasting impact. Since 2004 Dodge has gained an average of 16 percentage points per year in reading and math combined. Jarvis is now the managing director for the Academy for Urban School Leadership, helping create more successful turnaround schools in Chicago.
• As principal of Chicago International Charter School – Irving Park Campus, Amy Torres saw a significant increase in the number of students meeting or exceeding the standards in reading, math, and science scores.  In just two years, scores increased by 22% in reading, 18% in math, and 19% in science.  Amy is now serving as director of curriculum and instruction for Victory Schools, a charter management organization in Chicago.

National Recognition

In 2009, New Leaders, in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, was announced a winner of the “Innovations in American Government” award from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, the first time this honor was given to a nonprofit organization.

Chicago Program Satisfaction Data

• Among Chicago New Leaders, 100 percent have reported that the Aspiring Principals Program has been high quality.
• Ninety-three percent report that the organization effectively prepared them to lead an urban K-12 public school.

Job Placement and Retention

• Since program inception in 2001, 100% of Chicago New Leaders have held instructional leadership positions, including 74% as principals and 20% as assistant principals.
• Chicago New Leaders are demonstrating continued commitment: 91 percent of New Leaders serving as principals in 2009-10 returned to the principalship in 2010-11 or were promoted to district or charter management leadership roles.

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