Smaller, Safer, Saner Successful Schools. - National Clearinghouse ...

SUMMARY OF RESEARCH ON SMALL SCHOOLS AND SHARED FACILITIESthat houses the school. Over thepast few years the King Center haspurchased 3 vacant buildings and 10vacant lots in close proximity to theschool. A building adjacent to thechurch that was a crack house andhouse of prostitution has been renovatedfor King Center program useand houses the PCHP program, acounseling program and a computerlab to serve the community. Anotherdilapidated house has been razedand a former tavern is currently beingevaluated to determine if it should berenovated or razed. A communityplayground has been constructed ontwo of the lots, community gardenshave been developed, and four lotshave been landscaped to provide agrassy play area for children.Impact on students. Scores on theNew York State 4th grade tests inmath, science, and English languagearts were dismal for the first two yearsbut have shown significant improvementever since. AcademicOutcomes specified in the school’sAccountability Plan call for a minimumof 75 percent of students scoringat a proficient level or higher. Onthe most recent tests 93 percentscored at the proficient level or higherin math, 86 percent in science and60 percent in English language arts.For further information. ContactDr. Claity Massey, Director, KingUrban Life Center, 938 GeneseeStreet, Buffalo, N.Y. 14211; (716)891-7912. www.kingurbanlifecenter.org.33a: The stained glass windows andhigh ceilings add an unusual beautyto the King Center's Interior. 34aand 34b: The King's Center's brightclassrooms sparkle in the more than100-year old building which formerlywas a church.Cesar ChavezAcademy CharterSchoolPueblo, ColoradoBored while teaching at Harvard,Dr. Lawrence Hernandez returnedto his home in Pueblo,CO to start and run an award winningschool. His work with low-incomeminority students has won nationalacclaim.In 2000, Dr. Hernandez and his wifeco-founded the Cesar ChavezCharter Public School, which he hasdirected since the school opened.For the last three years, Cesar Chavezhas earned an “excellent rating,”from the Colorado Department ofEducation, the highest of five availablerankings. The school also wasfeatured in a 2007 U.S. Department ofEducation publication highlightingschools that are closing or have eliminatedachievement gaps betweenstudents of difference races.Key educational features. CesarChavez is a grades K-8 school thatemphasizes a longer day and year,individualized instruction and placesgreat value in music, painting andother arts. The typical day runs from7:30 – 4:30 . Cesar Chavez uses theCore Knowledge Curriculum developedby E.D. Hirsch. It also makes extensiveuse of individual tutoring andcomputer based assistance to helpstudents start at precisely their ownlevel, and move forward. The schoolnotes, “In the spirit of Cesar Chavez,the school will focus on exceptionalScholarship, Leadership and35