NEW JERSEY STATE TEST SCORES FOR NEWARK’S BRICK ACADEMY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SOAR TO RECORD HEIGHTS

– 2016-2017 Student Growth Percentiles in Math and Language Arts for BRICK Peshine and BRICK Avon Show Generational Shift for City –

(Newark, New Jersey – January 16, 2018) Newark’s BRICK Academy Public Schools announced today that students attending their two schools at BRICK Peshine and BRICK Avon achieved record-setting scores in 2016-2017 Student Growth Percentiles (SGP).  Conducted by the New Jersey Department of Education each year, the SGP measures growth for individual public school students and determines how each school has improved in state test performance from one year to the next.

“Living in the cycle of adversity causes over-exposure to toxic stress and hinders brain development, leaving children in constant flight, fight or fright mode.  For generations, Newarkers have been witness to a significant achievement gap and school-to-prison pipeline,” stated Dominque Lee, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Building Responsible Intelligent Creative Kids (BRICK).  “Seven years ago, BRICK Schools were specifically designed to ensure every at-risk child would be provided with hope and opportunity. With the infusion of Community School Supports and a laser like focus on Instructional Quality –this year’s state SGP report shows a monumental learning shift happening for BRICK students.  What is most important for every parent in Newark is that our paradigm changing education model that specifically addresses the special needs of our City is working.  We are so proud of the hard work of our teachers, parents, and community.”

“Every student in Newark deserves a high-quality education. Circumstances of birth should not preclude one from accessing rigorous learning opportunities,” stated Ronald Chaluisán, Executive Director of the Newark Trust for Education.  “While there is still more work to be done, our student assessment scores show that the intentional and strategic work of our district has made strides and is delivering needed improvement in student achievement for the families of Newark.  Of particular note is the growth and development shown by students at BRICK Peshine and BRICK Avon. Using community collaboration as an anchor, the BRICK team ​is​ ​a​ ​great example of the innovative spirit​ ​needed for continuous​ school improvement.   Their steadfast resolve that the students of the South Ward are not only capable, but can thrive is testament to the results seen in their test scores.  Their dedication to learning, their attention to the socio-emotional and health needs of their students, and their unwavering attention to classroom instruction show that creating the right conditions for learning is possible and that the efforts have positive impact. The Trust is proud to support BRICK’s efforts as part of the Community Schools Initiative.”

“I extend my sincerest congratulations to the Avon and Peshine school communities for their exemplary academic progress,” noted Christopher D. Cerf, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools.

Specifically, BRICK Academy Public Schools was designed in collaboration with the Newark School District and the City of Newark to specifically serve the most vulnerable population, where the majority children are growing up in generational poverty.  More than 50% of BRICK students live in households that earn less than $11,500 per year and more than 95% of the student body quality for free or reduced lunch.

With the annual SGP scores, New Jersey measures growth for an individual student by comparing the change in his or her achievement on the state standardized assessment to the scores of students in the state who had similar historical test results the previous year. This comparative change is reported on a 1 to 99 scale.  The following highlights BRICK Peshine and BRICK Avon results compared to the 60 public schools (district and charter) in Newark:

• In 2016-2017 ELA Achievement, BRICK Peshine’s score of 63 ranked the school as the 2nd best ranking for all public schools in Newark between K-8 grade, including Newark’s charter schools.  BRICK Avon’s score of 54 ranked the school in the top 20.  In 2015-2016, BRICK Peshine ranked 19th and BRICK Avon ranked 54th.
• In 2016-2017 Math Achievement, BRICK Peshine’s score of 61.5 ranked the school tied for the 6th best in Newark.  BRICK Avon’s score of 51 in ranked it in the top 20.  In 2015-2016, BRICK Peshine ranked 19th and BRICK Avon ranked 53rd.

BRICK was established in 2010 to provide unique specialization in understanding, adapting, and addressing adverse childhood experiences in the classroom, which is the most significant challenge facing Newark’s most at-risk students.   BRICK scholars have been exposed to these experiences at rates four to eight times greater than that of the general population. To address these issues, BRICK established a national model to support the traumatic effects these experiences have on cognitive and social development.

Its unique pedagogy and strategic partnerships, which include – the Newark Public Schools, Newark Trust for Education, the South Ward Children Alliance, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Greater Newark Health Care Coalition, Rutgers University Behavioral Care (UBHC), the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel – provides a series of  specialized and integrated, trauma-informed intervention system that allows staff to proactively identify the needs of every student and match them with tailored supports and resources.  In addition, through its vast network, BRICK schools provide a wide variety of support, trainings, and coaching to parents and caregivers.

In addition, world-class learning has been established at BRICK schools to reach students during their most important developmental years, between the K-8, and provides a customized individual plan of year-long learning for each student and assigned advisors who work 1:1 throughout the school year to ensure goals are met.

At its core, BRICK invests time and diligence in explicitly teaching and constantly reinforcing DREAMS (Diligence, Respect, Empathy, Appropriate Self-Expression, Model Citizenship and Self Control) so students can develop the skills, character, and values that will prepare them for college, allow them to complete for a 21st century career, and ultimately ensure that their unique perspective and voice will be a true asset in helping solve some of our nation’s toughest challenges.

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