What makes us different

That's a pretty long list: subsidized uniforms to save our families money and so kids can focus on academics instead of fashion trends; free breakfast, lunch, and snack, because kids can't learn when they're focused on how hungry they are; much smaller classrooms for individualized attention: When we know a student and his strengths and areas of challenge, we can more effectively and quickly get him back on track; family engagement, including regular events like Family Night and calls home at least weekly to share good news and any concerns...

There's more, of course, but I think you see the trend: What does it take for the young person to win? What does each child need to get back on track and reach her full potential? No blame, no fingerpointing...that doesn't get us far. Instead we focus on solutions. Our family advocate model, which you'll hear about a lot on this blog, is one way we walk the walk when it comes to solutions.

Family advocates are school-based professionals who help students and families remove non-academic barriers to learning. Family advocates conduct home visits, sit in on school district meetings like PPTs, connect families to valuable community resources like counseling, and ensure a family's basic needs are met. What do Domus Academy parents say about family advocates?

• "She tries to help [my daughter] be accountable."
• "[My son's family advocate] worked with us to solve any problems [my son] has. I think the world of her."
• "No other school keeps up with [my daughter] like this." 
• "[My son] used to get in trouble all the time, and now he goes and talks with [his family advocate]."
• "[Our family advocate] has provided a way for me to still be informed and also provides a ride when I can’t get up there on my own. She’s always there for everything."

When we started our school model in 1999, we had a mantra when it came to our staffing approach: Teachers are hired to teach, and family advocates are hired to make sure kids are ready to learn. Not everyone believed bringing a social services approach to education was going to work, but preliminary data for Domus Academy's first year shows an average improvement of more than two grade levels in both reading and math...in just ten months. 

Seems like different is good...and working.