New Small Schools Successes: EnCompass Academy Shines on CST

For the third consecutive year, EnCompass Academy posted impressive achievement gains on the California Standards Test (CST). In EnCompass's inaugural year, three percent of its 2nd-graders (now in 5th grade) scored at proficient or advanced levels in English Language Arts (ELA). This number rose dramatically to 20 percent the next year, and 28 percent in 2007. In math, the trends have been similarly encouraging, with 54 percent at proficient or advanced this year, up from 30 percent just two years ago.

Other notable 2007 CST gains:
ELA
- Number of 3rd-graders at proficient or advanced nearly doubled over 2006 results (18 percent to 35 percent)
- Percentage of 3rd-graders scoring at below basic levels decreased considerably to 28 percent (down from 43 percent the year before)
Math
- Proficient or advanced 3rd-graders jumped from 40 percent to 55 percent
- School-wide, 25 percent of students scored at or above basic levels

The state's Academic Performance Index (API) scores – which measure such achievement growth – reflect the school's improvement. EnCompass's API was 627 in its first year, jumped to 724 in 2006 (one of the district's biggest leaps), and increased again this year, to 733.

EnCompass Academy is located in the isolated Elmhurst neighborhood of East Oakland, and serves almost 100 percent students of color and significantly higher percentages of English Language Learners and low-income students than other schools in the district. With founding Principal Minh-Tram Nguyen leading the school into its fourth year, EnCompass looks to continue these consistent achievement gains through its unique "teaching to the whole child" vision. For more on the culture, progressive programs, and demographics at EnCompass, click here.
Students at EnCompass Academy