Achievement First

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We set high expectations so that our students can exceed them. We are preparing our students for success in college, career and life. We are also a fully “open source” organization. We want to help all of us go further, faster toward the goal of providing an excellent education for every child, everywhere.

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All Achievement First students know they can and will go to college.

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Every day, students in our schools across Connecticut, Brooklyn and Rhode Island are solving for x and shattering stereotypes, winning debate tournaments and football games and preparing for their futures as college graduates.

Amistad Academy Elementary School Amistad Academy Middle School Achievement First Amistad High School Achievement First Bridgeport Academy Elementary School Achievement First Bridgeport Academy Middle School Elm City College Preparatory Elementary School Elm City College Preparatory Middle School Achievement First Hartford Academy Elementary School Achievement First Hartford Academy Middle School Achievement First Hartford High School Achievement First Summit Middle School

Achievement First Iluminar Mayoral Academy Elementary Achievement First Providence Mayoral Academy Elementary Achievement First Providence Mayoral Academy Middle

Achievement First Alumni Support College Placement

Achievement First schools emphasize the REACH values—Respect, Enthusiasm, Achievement, Citizenship and Hard Work.

Across Achievement First In Connecticut In New York In Rhode Island

We refuse to accept a world where social injustices stand as barriers to our students’ success. Our students can not only achieve on par with their affluent peers across the country, they can achieve alongside the highest-performing students in the world. Our students will redefine what excellence looks like.

Every year, our seniors gain acceptance to colleges and universities across the country.

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Every day, we work hard to fulfill our mission: to deliver on the promise of equal educational opportunity for all of America's children. We believe that all children, regardless of race or economic status, can succeed if they have access to a great education.

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We believe a great education can level the playing field, break the cycle of poverty and create a brighter future for all of us.

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Our students are all admitted by blind lottery and we serve all students, including English Language Learners and students with disabilities. We have no admissions tests or fees.

Students, teachers and parents work as a team to achieve success.

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Teaching and leading at Achievement First means being a part of an awesomely powerful team of tireless educators and specialists, incredible families, and students who are working every day toward improving themselves and our world.

We develop, recognize and reward teachers through constant professional development and the Teacher Career Pathway.

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Every day, we’re working toward social justice and better educational opportunities not just for our students, but for all students.Without you—our partners, friends, board members, donors, community leaders and neighbors—our work would not be possible.

We host hundreds of visitors—including community members, elected officials and educators—in our schools each year.

The Achievement First Approach:
Teacher Career Pathway

"The coaching sessions and regular classroom observations have enabled me to grow exponentially as a teacher. I have learned more about how to teach in the last few years at AF because of the AF Teacher Career Pathway than I did in the 15 years prior as a high school teacher."

- AF Amistad High teacher

Achievement First's Teacher Career Pathway is a systematic, coordinated approach to recognizing and developing great teachers as they progress through five career stages: intern, new teacher, teacher, distinguished teacher and master teacher. These stages were developed to celebrate excellent teachers and are accompanied by increased compensation, recognition and professional growth opportunities. The AF Teacher Career Pathway program builds off of a number of practices already in place -- lesson observation and feedback, peer feedback, parent surveys, student surveys, and analyzing student achievement data -- but brings them all together in a more systematic and coordinated way.

Research shows -- and it is clear at Achievement First -- that the effectiveness of the classroom teacher is the single most important factor supporting student achievement. Achievement First has invested over the last three years in a robust leadership pathway that provides clear career opportunities for those invested in school leadership -- and we are now excited to do the same for master teachers. We want to make sure that our excellent teachers who decide to stay in the classroom are still able to "progress" in their careers and have opportunities and recognition commensurate with their increasing effectiveness.

How will the AF Teacher Career Pathway increase student achievement?

By helping to set clear standards and raise the bar for instructional excellence across the network
By retaining talented teachers through recognition and rewards
By reinforcing the value Achievement First places on great teaching

Learn more about the AF Teacher Career Pathway HERE.

Achievement First is the recipient of a grant from the Teacher Incentive Fund to implement Teacher Career Pathway. Due to Connecticut's transition from the CMT and CAPT to the Smarter Balanced Assessments in 2014, we submitted waivers on behalf of Amistad Academy, Elm City College Preparatory, Achievement First Bridgeport Academy, and Achievement First Hartford Academy to assess student achievement by another means in order to comply with the grants requirements. Please contact Sharon Richards with any questions for comments.

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The Achievement First Approach: Teacher Career Pathway

How will the AF Teacher Career Pathway increase student achievement?

The Achievement First Approach:
Teacher Career Pathway