Hawthorne Math and Science Academy: Creating a Community of Learners

Presenters

Joaquin Hernández (Primary)

Principal
Hawthorne Math and Science Academy

Description

Hawthorne Math and Science Academy (HMSA) in Los Angeles County, California serves a high poverty, high minority student population that performs well above its peers and has received a "similar schools ranking" of 10 (on a 10-point scale) on the California Academic Performance Index (API) for the past four years. HMSA is a charter high school dependent on the Hawthorne School District that does not base admittance on academic grades or test scores, but rather uses a series of assignments that are stringent on deadlines. In 2009, Newsweek ranked HMSA the 57th best high school in the nation. Also in 2009, US News and World Report ranked HMSA the 54th best high school in the nation. While roughly 40% of Hispanic high school students scored proficient or above in English language arts and math statewide, well over 80% of Hispanic high school students at HMSA scored proficient or above. In contrast to many large and impersonal high schools across the nation, HMSA is a small school, which fosters academic excellence, trust, safety, empowerment, and high expectations. In this webinar, Principal Joaquin R. Hernández will share how maintaining high expectations, enforcing rules consistently, and creating buy-in from and communication among students, teachers, and parents have helped the school achieve these results.

This webinar is presented by the American Institutes for Research and WestEd as partners in the California Comprehensive Center to highlight high performing schools making a difference in student achievement. To learn more about Hawthorne Math and Science Academy, please read the school profile. Two other recently profiled middle schools include the American Indian Public Charter School and Santa Fe Middle School.

Sep 22 Achieving Dramatic Improvement: An Exploratory Study

Understanding Scientifically Based Research

Leading Troubled Schools to the 'Tipping Point': A School Reform Proposal

"Big Levers" for Creating the Best Schools We've Ever Had

Rethinking High School: Five Profiles of Innovative Models for Student Success

Converting to Smaller Learning Communities

Inside High School Reform: Making the Changes That Matter

Schools on the Right Track: Mathson Middle School

Professional Collaboration and Data Analysis: One High School's Journey

Response to Intervention: Online Professional Development Modules and Resources for Implementation

Signal Hill Elementary School: A Road to Results

Cesar E. Chavez High School: High Expectations, Empowerment, and Excellence

Turning Around Chronically Low-Performing Schools: Resources From Doing What Works

Transforming Schools: Charter Schools as a Strategy for School Turnarounds

Santa Fe Middle School: Strategies for Success

Fidelity of Implementation: Selecting and Implementing Evidence-Based Practices and Programs