Rise Academy was chosen last November as one of only two schools in the entire state to be recognized with the prestigious National Title 1 Distinguished School Award.
Now members of the National Title 1 Association are visiting the Lubbock charter school this Monday through Wednesday to learn more about the academy’s successful educational practices. The visit will involve extensive filming of staff interviews and classroom routines.
On Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. a ceremony will be held in the school’s gym when the Title 1 association staff and other officials will formally honor Rise Academy as a “Distinguished School.” Dr. Kyle Wargo, Executive Director of the Region 17 Educational Center, will speak, along with Rise board member Frank Gutierrez. City councilwoman Shelia Patterson Harris is expected to attend, among others.
Selection for the Distinguished Schools award is based on meeting high academic performance criteria and an 85% or higher low-income student population.
Information about Rise Academy’s educational philosophy and instructional strategies will be provided to National Title 1 Association staff so these methods can be shared with other schools to help improve achievement for their students.
Rise Academy is an independent public charter school which began operation in September, 1999. The school has open enrollment, and is unable to selectively “cherry-pick” students. About eighty-five percent of Rise students are low-income minority children residing mostly in east and northeast Lubbock neighborhoods.
As a charter school, Rise Academy must conform to most Texas Education Agency rules, with exceptions for teacher certification requirements and pay-scale. Currently the academy serves about 270 students in grades pre-k through 8th.
(News release from Rise Academy)
