Schools to Watch - Freeport Update

Demographics: 2002-2003

Number of students: 613

Grades served: 7 & 8

Ethnic breakdown of students:

Caucasian--215

African-American--84

Asian--0

Latino/Hispanic--313

Native American--1

Attendance Rate: 96%

Suspension Rate:

In-school--263

Out-of-school--30

"Where are We Now?": Freeport Reflects on its Progress

Since it became a School to Watch in 2000, many eyes have been on Freeport Intermediate School. Educators across the country and around the world have drawn inspiration from a school that continues to get impressive academic results, even as the pressure of school and district accountability intensifies. What's more, these results are achieved across ethnic and socioeconomic groups, in an intellectually stimulating and nurturing environment. Far from being lulled into a sense of complacency by its successes, the staff, led by principal Clara Sale-Davis, has worked harder than ever to stay on the upward trajectory of high performance.

In the winter of 2003, the Freeport staff engaged in an intensive reflection process using the Schools to Watch Self-Assessment Tool. The completed self-assessment form was then submitted to members of the National Forum for review, and a dialogue thus began. During a conference call and a subsequent site visit, the staff shared with Forum members their challenges and celebrated their and their students' progress. An abridged version of the school's completed self-assessment is available for download in PDF.

The Forum attributes Freeport's continued success to the stable and visionary leadership provided by Ms. Sale-Davis. As noted in their self-assessment, she and her teachers have "embraced accountability" and "striven for academic excellence in both teaching and learning." Having achieved outstanding results for so many years, the staff upholds a no-excuses attitude for low performance. Their expectations for themselves and for their students are high, and they constantly analyze data to stay the course. Throughout this reflection process, the Forum was once again impressed by Freeport's unswerving commitment to its students and their learning. We are proud to continue our endorsement of Freeport as a middle-grades school worth watching.