Unlocking the Power of Literacy: Celebrating Continued Growth

2023 New York State Test Results Show Consistent Improvement In Math & English Language Arts & Record Number Of Proficient Students

At Ascend Public Charter Schools, we hold a steadfast commitment to excellence, enabling our students to propel themselves toward their goals and to audaciously dream beyond the mold. This is made possible through our approach that facilitates the well-rounded development of our students, arming them with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in any subject, field, or path they choose. We believe that literacy is foundational to anti-racist education and is a driving force in closing achievement gaps in all subjects.

As literacy is the key to accessing all content and skills, we are constantly working to understand how our students are progressing and how we can better support them in their literacy growth. One important measure of this growth are the New York State assessments in Math and English Language Arts (ELA) that we take every year along with thousands of students across the state. These exams provide an opportunity to gauge our progress and reflect on how we can increase the impact of our rigorous educational model.

Our 2022-2023 results demonstrate 60% of our students are proficient in math and 59% are proficient in ELA, outperforming the district with nearly double the rates of proficiency for students of color in New York City. These scores paint a picture of continued growth and achievement across the board.

A Remarkable Three-Year Journey

Since returning to in-person instruction following the COVID-19 pandemic,  we've witnessed substantial and consistent growth in both ELA and Math proficiency rates. We firmly believe that there is no limit to what children are capable of and this consistent growth serves as a reminder of our mission and purpose as a charter network. When all children are provided high quality, responsive, and equitable education all children can succeed.

Our commitment to literacy has been a driving force behind this growth. Last year, we piloted new ELA programs at select schools, and the results were nothing short of astounding. The implementation of these programs led to a remarkable 10% increase in ELA proficiency across our network. Now, as we roll out these programs network-wide, we anticipate an even more significant impact on our students' achievements.

Closing the Gap through Literacy

One of the most remarkable aspects of our 2023 results is that we have closed the achievement gap between Math and ELA. Across New York State in 2022, there was an almost 10% gap between Math and ELA proficiency. At Ascend, we're witnessing a different narrative. Our 2023 results show that students performed with equal proficiency in both subjects, showcasing the profound influence of strong literacy skills on overall academic success. Strong literacy skills empower students to excel not only in reading and writing but also in mathematics, science, and history.

Quality Education at Scale

This year, as we celebrate our 15th year of service to the communities of Brooklyn, we serve the most students than ever before in our history. While we have grown in size we have not sacrificed the quality of our schools–our results this year show we have successfully scaled excellent education. Our 2023 test results reflect the highest number of students proficient in both ELA and Math in our community’s history.

The Journey Ahead

Our recent accomplishments give us something to celebrate, and they also fuel us in our charge to go even further. Like all schools, we're working tirelessly to bridge the learning gaps brought about by the past few years. Across all grades and subjects, we are committed to continued growth for every student.

We step forward into 2023 with a renewed sense of purpose and optimism. The momentum of the past few years, combined with our new curriculums and the closing of the internal gap between Math and ELA, position us to achieve even greater heights in 2023-2024. We're grateful for the unwavering support of our parents, caregivers, families, educators, and leaders, who form a vibrant community dedicated to providing the best possible education for our students. Thank you all for your continued support as we continue on our collective journey. Together we will continue to create a more just and equitable world where all children are able to live a life of boundless choice.