MPS’ Academy of Accelerated Learning honored as 1 of 10 Spotlight Schools in state

AAL students at September’s Teacher of the Year announcement. Photo courtesy of MPS.

MILWAUKEE (September 30, 2015) – Milwaukee Public Schools‘ Academy of Accelerated Learning is one of just 10 schools statewide – and the only one in southeastern Wisconsin – recognized Wednesday by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction as a Wisconsin Spotlight School.

The distinction is given to schools with a record of increasing academic performance for students from low-income families. Nearly 70 percent of AAL’s students were considered economically disadvantaged in 2014-15, compared to just more than 40 percent of students statewide. The school earned a “Meets Expectations” grade on its most recent state report card, besting the state average score for student growth.

Each winning school will receive a $25,000 grant from DPI to showcase successful practices that improve student achievement. The grant funds cover expenses related to sharing those practices with three other schools that will visit the winning school during the 2015-16 school year as well as to support continuous school improvement.

“Opening their doors to other schools, becoming a school for schools so to speak, will advance our efforts to close achievement gaps and ensure every child graduates college and career ready,” State Superintendent Dr. Tony Evers said in a DPI news release.

MPS Superintendent Dr. Darienne Driver congratulates AAL’s students, families, educators and support staff on its status as a model for other schools across the district and state.
This is the second statewide honor in less than a month for the community at AAL, one of seven MPS International Baccalaureate schools. Mai Xiong, a teacher at AAL, was honored earlier in September as Wisconsin’s Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

About Milwaukee Public Schools

Milwaukee Public Schools is committed to accelerating student achievement, building positive relationships between youth and adults and cultivating leadership at all levels. The district’s commitment to improvement continues to show results:

• More MPS students are meeting reading standards
• The MPS Class of 2015 earned $39 million in scholarships; and
• MPS is home to 7 of the state’s top high schools according to U.S. News and World Report and the Washington Post.

Learn more about MPS by visiting our website. More MPS news is available at mpsmke.com/news.

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