PSSA results

Results for the PSSA, which is the state test in Pennsylvania, were announced in the last few weeks and overall, we’re proud of our results at KPEA. There is always lot of work to do when you’re working hard to get kids to and through college and we have so many areas we're working hard to make stronger this year. But in the second year of the more challenging, Common Core-aligned PSSA test, the results are showing that KPEA is exceeding other schools serving similar students.

I’ll focus mostly on our 3rd grade ELA results which are particularly important since research shows 3rd grade reading is such a predictor of future success. I’ll share two comparisons that show why I’m so proud of the work we do at KPEA.

On that 3rd grade ELA test, 60% of students at KPEA scored either advanced or proficient, which compares to 32% for the average of Mastery Charter elementary schools (a high performing turnaround charter network in Philadelphia), 30% for the School District of Philadelphia overall, and 14% for the 10 closest schools to KPEA in North Philadelphia.

At KPEA, we serve primarily African-American students and most of our students qualify as low-income. In fact, 93% of our students qualify for free/reduced price lunch and 65% of families qualify for some kind of public assistance. Counting both charter schools and district schools, there are 203 schools in Philadelphia that have 3rd graders. Of the schools that serve a similar percentage of students living in poverty, KPEA scored the 3rd highest in the entire city. 

These results are a testament to the hard work of our staff, the commitment from our families, and the intelligence and determination of our KIPPsters. When you have adults working hard together to support amazing children, you can achieve great things.

And if you’re wondering about some other details about our school:

• More than 25% of our students have IEPs, including students with intellectual disabilities, autism, Down syndrome, hearing impairments, etc.
• Our attrition rate was less than 2% last year (August-June) and almost 90% of our first two promoting classes of 4th graders were with us since kindergarten. 
• We backfill any open spots at all grades and at all points during the year. 
• We suspended fewer than 10 students last year in a school of nearly 400 students.