News Article - Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

For Immediate Release
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Contact:	Heidi Guarino 781-338-3106 or JC Considine 781-338-3112

Roxbury Preparatory Charter School Receives National Honor

MALDEN - A charter school in Boston is one of four schools nationwide to receive a 2008 Dispelling the Myth award, which is presented to schools that have been "extraordinarily successful in educating low-income students and students of color to high academic levels." The Education Trust, a national, independent nonprofit organization with a core belief that all children will learn at high levels when they are taught to high levels, presented Roxbury Preparatory Charter School its 6th annual Dispelling the Myth award at its national conference on Thursday in Washington, D.C. Roxbury Preparatory Charter School serves roughly 225 African-American and Latino students in grades 6-8 in a rigorous, structured college preparatory program. On the spring 2008 MCAS exams, 90 percent of 8th graders at Roxbury Preparatory Charter School scored Proficient or Advanced in English Language Arts, and 86 percent scored Proficient or Advanced in Mathematics, which far exceeded statewide averages on the two exams. "I applaud the accomplishment of the teachers and students at Roxbury Preparatory Charter School in receiving this well-deserved honor," said Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester. "Massachusetts has many examples of schools like Roxbury Preparatory Charter School where high standards and high expectations for students and educators alike are leading to strong achievement for all students. Our challenge now is to document what these schools are doing so we can better disseminate best practices and shared successes with schools across the Commonwealth." Recipients of the Dispelling the Myth award are schools that make significant strides in narrowing achievement gaps, whose students perform at achievement levels that significantly exceed averages in their states, or who improve student performance at a rapid pace. In addition to Roxbury Preparatory Charter School, the other 2008 Dispelling the Myth schools were Graham Road Elementary School in Falls Church, Virginia; Norfolk Elementary School in Norfolk, Arkansas; and Wells Elementary School in Steubenville, Ohio. "They're not just working harder than other schools-they're working smarter," said Kati Haycock, president of Education Trust. "And although their efforts are nowhere near finished, they've already shattered the misguided and dangerous belief that achievement gaps are inevitable. These schools are a testament to the power of committed educators to literally transform the life changes of young people." For additional information on Dispelling the Myth, visit the Education Trust's website.

Last Updated: November 13, 2008