Jackson since 2010
According to newspaper articles, Jackson has undergone a significant turnaround in the past five years. This sentiment was echoed by Vina, a Jackson parent whose children have attended Jackson for over 10 years. "The old principal--I won't say her name--was horrible. She let kids get away with everything. I will say it, Ms. Kaplan has really changed the school around." [Vina's full interview can be found on the "Self in School" page]. We would like to focus our recent history on Principal Kaplan's tenure, since she has been a transformative force for Andrew Jackson.
Principal Lisa Ciaranca KaplanPrincipal Lisa Kaplan came to Andrew Jackson in 2010. She has spearheaded several reforms, won numerous grants, and brought continued progress to Jackson. In 2013, Kaplan received the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Distinguished Principal Award. This section focuses on the school's organization and structure, as well as its accomplishments, under Principal Kaplan.
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School structure
- Andrew Jackson educates students in grades K-8. Classrooms are organized by grade level.
- More advanced English Language Learners, as well as students with mild to moderate disabilities, are integrated into the mainstream classrooms. Newer English Language Learners are educated in separate classrooms. The ESOL programming is very important given the high percentage of multicultural and immigrant students.
- Students are in contained classes for kindergarten through 6th grade, and switch for certain classes in 7th and 8th grades.
- In the 2014-2015 year there were 58 staff members, including teachers, support staff, and administration.
Behavior management
Principal Kaplan introduced a method of behavior management called PAWS--Positive Attitude Wins Success--which focuses on rewarding positive behavior. The three central expectations are that students be respectful, responsible, and reliable. In general, suspensions and the occurrence of serious incidents within the school have both fallen during Principal Kaplan's tenure, though there was a slight increase in 2013-2014, the most recent year data is available.
Academic performance
Jackson students' academic performance improved over the past few years. In 2011, Jackson students scored in the top 25% of the district on the PSSA. While test scores have fallen for a few grades, Jackson is still scoring higher than the district average and has seen improvement in many grades. For the first time ever, Jackson is making AYP under Ms. Kaplan. 25% of Jackson 8th graders go on to attend magnet and select admit high schools.
Programs and activities
Jackson provides students with a wide selection of extracurricular and after-school programs. The school has a well-renowned music program, an offshoot of which is its famous Rock Band. The school offers after-school Spanish and Chinese Language clubs. Students can also get involved with robotics, cooking, and photography clubs.
GRANTS AND FUNDING
Principal Kaplan has brought a large amount of external funding to Andrew Jackson, largely through the use of grants and donations. This additional funding helps to support the extracurricular and after-school programs Jackson offers, which many schools have been forced to drop in the face of budget cuts. The additional funding has also supported school improvement projects, such as the recently renovated science lab.
Of course, fundraising and grants cannot entirely supplement the significant budget cuts. Budget cuts have forced Jackson to let go of their school security officer, parent ombudsman, and student advisors.
Of course, fundraising and grants cannot entirely supplement the significant budget cuts. Budget cuts have forced Jackson to let go of their school security officer, parent ombudsman, and student advisors.
COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS
Ms. Kaplan and her staff have focused on forming partnerships with parents, community leaders, and businesses and agencies throughout Philadelphia. Principal Kaplan made sure to make her presence known in the community and build relationships with parents. Angelica Victoriano, who has two children who attend Jackson, told philly.com, "You could see the difference. She [Principal Kaplan] meets with us; she asks us what do we want to see in the school. Everybody's more confident to speak to her."
The Jackson Home and School Association is a vehicle for Jackson parents to get involved, plan activities, and discuss challenges and concerns. In 2013, current and former parents formed Friends of Jackson, a non-profit dedicated to fundraising, advocacy, and volunteer coordination. Ms. Kaplan has been instrumental in securing partnerships with business and foundations--Jackson currently works with everyone from Temple and Upenn, to the Philadelphia Orchestra and Philadelphia Inquirer, to Whole Foods and Comcast.
[Quote courtesy of http://bit.ly/1UDSYwn]
The Jackson Home and School Association is a vehicle for Jackson parents to get involved, plan activities, and discuss challenges and concerns. In 2013, current and former parents formed Friends of Jackson, a non-profit dedicated to fundraising, advocacy, and volunteer coordination. Ms. Kaplan has been instrumental in securing partnerships with business and foundations--Jackson currently works with everyone from Temple and Upenn, to the Philadelphia Orchestra and Philadelphia Inquirer, to Whole Foods and Comcast.
[Quote courtesy of http://bit.ly/1UDSYwn]
Big picture
Overall, Principal Kaplan and her staff have worked to firmly establish Andrew Jackson as a high-performing, well-rounded community school. As reflected in other sections of this site, students, parents, and community members recognize and appreciate Andrew Jackson's commitment to academics, safety, and extracurricular enrichment. The school's organization and functioning is significantly impacted by the multicultural identities of its students--Jackson offers ESOL instruction and multiple language clubs. Jackson's progress and programming stand out in a time when many neighborhood schools facing budget cuts and being forced to close. While Jackson has certainly felt the effects of cutbacks, Principal Kaplan has been instrumental in obtaining additional funding and resources for Andrew Jackson.
[Information and photos on this page courtesy of http://bit.ly/LZ7f94 and http://bit.ly/1PlQJdX]