Uncommon Schools is public, non-profit charter school network that operates 24 charter schools in New York City, upstate New York, Newark and Boston. While Uncommon Schools operates in several different locations, every school shares what they refer to as key design principles and core design principles. These principles include a shared focus on accountability and data-driven instruction, and longer school days and longer school years. Two of Uncommon Schools’ core design principles state “We pursue and prioritize measurable student academic achievement as the first job of the school” and “We assiduously maintain the highest expectations for all students and a steadfast refusal to make excuses for them, for the school, or for its personnel.” With a focus on college prep for low-income students, the network emphasizes a curriculum that is data driven. New York and New Jersey Uncommon Schools were able to outperform the state, and in some cases close the racial and income achievement gaps with white and non-low-income New York students.
Learn More: Uncommon School’s Website | Uncommon School’s Facebook
About Uncommon Schools – Rigor and Joy
Successes
- On the 2010 New York Math exams, Uncommon Schools’ third through eighth grade students collectively closed the racial achievement gap by out-performing the state’s white students. (Out of 100% – UCS-82%, White students-71%, New York statewide-61%)
- In Newark, North Star Academy’s sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students reversed the racial achievement gap by outperforming the state’s white students in both Math and English/Language Arts. Uncommon Schools’ North Star Academy was recognized as a 2010 National Blue Ribbon School.
(Source: Uncommon Schools)
Studies
- How New York City’s Charter Schools Affect Achievement, September 2009
- Student Achievement in New York City Middle Schools Affiliated with Achievement First and Uncommon Schools, July 2010
In the Press
- Big Thinking and Radical Dreaming With the Schools Chancellor, New York Times, May 2009
- Obama’s Education Czar Charters a Aourse to Brooklyn, New York Post, May 2010
- Excellence Charter School Ranked Top Elementary School in New York City, Uncommon Schools, September 2008
Facts
Founded: 1997
Reach: Uncommon Schools currently operates 24 K-12 charter high schools in low-income areas of New York City, upstate New York, Newark, NJ, and Boston, MA. Uncommon Schools ultimately hopes to soon expand and operate 38 schools and be able to serve 14,000 students.
What’s Different: Doug Lemov, the managing director of Uncommon Schools , wrote Teach Like a Champion, one of the most respected books on teaching.
Source: Uncommon Schools
