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An Achievable Dream (AAD) is a partnership between the business community and Newport News Public Schools to give children who are at risk of failure in school due to multiple social risk factors a chance to succeed. AAD offers children in grades kindergarten through 12th a quality education in a nurturing environment; the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with caring adults; and the chance to take part in engaging enrichment activities during both the academic day and hours spent outside of school.
Nearly thirteen hundred students in grades kindergarten through 12th are enrolled in the An Achievable Dream program:
- 350 students in An Achievable Dream Preparatory School (K - grade 2); zoned to Dunbar Erwin School
- 500 students in An Achievable Dream Academy (grades 3 - 5); recruited city-wide and enter at the 3rd grade
- 300 students in An Achievable Dream Middle and High School (grades 6 - 9)
- 150 students at Heritage High School (grades 10 - 12); within a comprehensive public high school.
Students at the Academy and Middle and High Schol attend school for 8.5 hours per day, compared with the standard 6.5 hours per day in most schools; and 210 days per year, compared with the standard 180 day-school year. There are three, mandatory 10-day intersessions for students to participate in enrichment and accelerated activities or remediation work if necessary.
Achievement on Standardized Test Scores
One of the most far-reaching problems facing American Schools is how to close the achievement gap between economically disadvantaged students and their affluent classmates, between minority and white children. Whether it's at the national, state or local level, an achievement gap of 25 to 40 percentage points exists.
However
- An Achievable Dream first closed the achievement gap between Dreamers and their caucasian counterparts across the City of Newport News in 2002.
- On the 2006 8th Grade Standards of Learning tests, An Achievable Dream students outperformed their statewide counterparts by up to 10%, with an overall of 86% passing.
Through social, academic and moral education, Dreamers learn to focus on goals, and how academic achievement and personal decisions can make those goals a reality. By establishing a culture of discipline and a focus on performance, academic excellence and closing the achievement gap for children of poverty is attainable.
Character Education is the foundation of An Achievable Dream and is taught everyday. Banners with motivational phrases and the well-defined rules of the school are hung throughout the school building. Guest speakers and extra curricular activities are planned around character development themes such as integrity, honesty, respect for oneself and others, and self discipline.
AAD offers a curriculum that challenges students and raises the level of expectations they have for themselves - building confidence and self-esteem. Intensive reading programs; proper business English, or "Speaking Green,"; accelerated math courses; and etiquette classes are just a few examples of our aggressive approach to learning and our belief that every child - every child - can learn and succeed.
All students wear uniforms and learn to take pride in their appearance to earn merit points during morning inspections performed by volunteer soldiers from nearby Ft. Eustis Army Post, Officers from Newport News Police Department and by Newport News sheriff's deputies. Merit points are earned and applied for field trips and other enrichment activities, and to use in the school store where they can buy school supplies. Students keep a checkbook in which they balance their budgets - or merit accounts - and learn to be financially responsible.
Support from the business community allows AAD to offer more access to "tools for success" and opportunities to our students who would not otherwise have them. Small class size and low student-to-teacher ratio assure students the individual attention they deserve. The additional teacher assistants who are hired to supplement classroom instruction provide tutoring and extra help. More computers are available for our students' use in the school, which gives them a step-up in technology.
All students, also called Dreamers, take tennis instruction. Tennis is a life-long game that teaches good sportsmanship, personal development, and tactics and strategy that students can enjoy at any age. Tennis is our only official sport and supports our character education program because it teaches discipline, fairness, and other life-skills that help them succeed.
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