Achievement First is a growing network of nonprofit, high-performing, college-preparatory, K-12 public charter schools in Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island. Achievement First believes that all children, regardless of race or economic status, can succeed if they have access to a great education. Achievement First schools provide all students with the academic and character skills they need to graduate from top colleges, succeed in a competitive world, and serve as the next generation of leaders in their communities. 100% of graduating seniors in Achievement First’s full-size high schools have gained college acceptance.
With the opening of four new sites in 2014, Achievement First now serves 11,600 students in K-12 across three states, five cities, and 32 schools. Over the next five years, Achievement First plans to open 10 to 15 additional schools, spanning the full K-12 spectrum and creating college-prep opportunities for more than 12,000 urban students. Beyond their students and schools, Achievement First is an engaged and prominent partner in the larger conversation about how to improve public education and student achievement in our country.
Our Impact
30 Education Pioneers Fellows have supported Achievement First's operations since 2006. Over the years, our leaders have:
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Improved Achievement First’s teacher leadership pipeline and holistic evaluation system by researching national best practices to ensure accurate lesson observation calibration.
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Institutionalized and developed the Achievement First Tutoring program, an intensive intervention aimed at helping the lowest performing students master fundamental math and reading skills so they have the confidence to pass rigorous state exams and succeed in AF’s college preparatory curriculum.
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Expanded Achievement First’s community relationships, creating a portfolio of stakeholders and redesigning a community outreach presentation to showcase Achievement First’s mission to potential partners.
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Prepared for Achievement First's Rhode Island expansion by researching legal and regulatory requirements for financial and HR operations in Rhode Island and developing a strategic plan move to a computer-based, paperless systems model that would streamline school operations.
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And more.
