Memphis New Leaders are dedicated to driving for high academic achievement for all of the students in their buildings. Since the beginning of the Memphis program in 2004, New Leader schools have out-gained other district schools. The 2011 school year was no exception; New Leader K-8 schools outperformed the district, averaging a combined gain of 8 percentage points in math and reading combined compared to an average of 4 percentage points for all Memphis K-8 schools.

School Results

Many New Leader schools are demonstrating how to create the kinds of dramatic gains needed to prepare all students for graduation and college, achieving yearly growth of 20+ combined points in the percent of students reaching standards in math and reading. This year we are proud to say that three of the top eight highest gaining K-8 schools in Memphis were led by New Leader Principals.

Here are a few highlights from 2011:

• Hamilton Elementary, led by Debra Fox-Stanford, was the second highest gaining school in Memphis in 2011 in combined math and reading gains. Student proficiency rose 51 percentage points in one year. 
• As a first-year principal at Dunbar Elementary, Lori Phillips led a 24-point gain across reading and math in 2008. Now, in 2011, she led to another huge gain of 31 points, placing it as the fourth highest-gaining school in Memphis.
• Nine New Leader schools — Alton Elementary, Dunbar Elementary, Getwell Elementary, Hamilton Elementary, Shannon Elementary, Ida B. Wells Academy, Lanier Middle School, Kingsbury Middle School and Ridgeway Middle School — received an Effective Practice Incentive Community (EPIC) award during EPIC’s first four years in Memphis City Schools for their school-wide student achievement gains.  Ida B. Wells Academy is a four-year recipient, 2008 – 2011.

• Yetta Lewis, Executive Director of Power Center Academy received the state’s first annual SCORE Award. New Leaders are well-represented at Power Center Academy as Ms. Lewis’ leadership team includes New Leaders Kimberly Clark, Middle School Principal; Julia Callaway,  High School Dean of Students; and Michael Gee, Middle School Dean of Students.  Not only did Power Center Academy win in the Middle School Division, it was the only Memphis-area school selected as a finalist in any of the four categories.

 Program Satisfaction Data

• Among Memphis New Leader Principals, 100% report that the program is high quality and 95% believe that it prepared them to lead urban K-12 public schools.
• Among Memphis New Leader Residents, 100 percent report that they feel part of a national movement to transform urban education by demonstrating that all students can achieve at high levels.
• 100% of Memphis New Leaders Residents agree that the Residency is a high-quality learning experience, and 100% feel they will be prepared to lead an urban K-12 public school.