When Principal Barbara Wilkinson clicked the link to read her school’s letter grade result from the Arizona Department of Education and saw an “A” next to the Salt River Accelerated Learning Academy, she burst into tears.
It was the first time the 17-year-old charter school has ever earned an “A” since the state’s accountability system was established a little more than a decade ago.
Wilkinson—quick to point out that regardless of letter grade, her staff and students are the hardest working out there—said she was overwhelmed with pride when she saw the school’s grade.
“I am so proud of all the work we have accomplished as a team and the changes we continue to make so that our students are constantly provided with the very best educational opportunities,” Wilkinson wrote in an email to staff. “Our commitments contribute to improved student outcomes, which is what it’s all about. Bravo to all of you.”
The ADE released the 2023-24 school letter grades on Friday, Oct. 25. The public file can be accessed here. Schools earn a letter grade based on a range of metrics, including proficiency and growth in key subject areas, graduation rates, subgroup proficiency improvement, acceleration and readiness measures, and college and career readiness indicators.
Letter grades indicate the following for those metrics:
- A = Excellent
- B = Highly Performing
- C = Performing
- D = Minimally Performing
- F = Failing
Letter grades function as the ADE’s accountability system, which is designed to empower schools to achieve and increase success for students by providing schools with feedback on areas of strength and areas needing focus and enrichment. For the last two school years, the ALA earned “B” letter grades.
This year, 489 charter schools received an official letter grade. Of those, 190 (38.9%) earned an A; 205 (41.9%) earned a B; 73 (14.9%) earned a C; and 18 (3.7%) earned a D. See image of chart below. Three schools (0.6%) earned an F. Schools have until November 15 to appeal their letter grade.
“Words cannot express the amount of work, change, and dedication that has gone into constantly improving the ALA campus,” Wilkinson wrote in an email to students and families. “As I tell staff, we are in continuous improvement in providing the very best experiences for our students.”
The ALA is a credit recovery school open to students ages 16-21 who are behind in high school credits and seeking a high school diploma. Using the online program Edgenuity for primary coursework, the ALA shines in its elective, extracurricular, and college and career readiness offerings, Wilkinson said. Staff are dedicated to providing students—many for whom traditional high school environments and schedules did not align with familial, cultural, or employment obligations—a fulfilling academic experience, including field trips, fundraising, internships, and more.
Wilkinson invited students and families to join her at the next Salt River Schools Education Board meeting on Monday, Nov. 4, at 5:15 p.m. when she and her staff will be formally recognized for the letter grade achievement. The school has a bigger celebration planned, which will take place in the new year for all ALA staff, students, their families, and alumni. Stay tuned!
“Thank you to… the staff at ALA for all they are accomplishing with the students,” Education Board Chair Kyland King shared in an email to ALA staff. “With your help, these young adults are thriving and finding that education is essential for their future.”