Several Amphitheater Elementary Schools enter the No Excuses University Network & Partner with Universities
by Andy Morales on Oct. 02, 2010, under SportsOFF THE BEAT: Education & Sports
Rio Vista students Luis and Isabella proudly display their shirts and Bulldog Tags that proclaim they are College Bound with No Excuses!
According to information by founder Damen Lopez of “Turnaround Schools,” the No Excuses University is a network of elementary, middle, and junior high schools across the United States. These schools actively promote a comprehensive model of college readiness to all students the moment they begin elementary school.
Amphitheater elementary schools Nash, Prince and Rio Vista have each joined the Network in an effort to promote learning in an environment that makes college a real choice for students who have traditionally not seen that as an opportunity.
Rio Vista’s goal of, “Every Student will be proficient or excelling in all subjects without excuse and without exception” lets the community know that there will be no excuses for failure. Further, the staff at the school has added, “This is our responsibility” to their goal.
Nash’s goal is similar, “Every student, without exception and without excuse, will meet or exceed the standards in reading, writing, and math. This responsibility is ours. No Excuses!”
Nick Foles visits second grade teacher Sandara Bigelow (L) and a parent at Rio Vista.
One of the exciting aspects of the program is that each No Excuses University school exposes students to “powerful college symbolism.”
College flags and banners are placed on every door and hallway and each classroom adopts a college or university, learning their school fight songs and forging partnerships with those schools.
My gym, for instance, was adopted by the University of Maryland. Maryland athletic director, Kevin Anderson, sent my students several posters to hang on the walls to inspire the students to reach their goal of attending college.
Six aspects of the Network include, a “Culture of Universal Achievement,” “Collaboration,” “Standards Alignment,” “Assessment,” “Data Analysis” and “Interventions.”
And, despite the incorrect negative image portrayed of our public schools in some media outlets, the process is working and test scores are on the rise in the Network but an important aspect of increased community involvement is also taking place as an added bonus.
Lopez was twice named as both Assistant Principal and Principal of the Year in his district. During five of
Every class has adopted a University team
the six years that Lopez was principal, he and his staff earned the coveted 10-10 ranking by performing within the top ten percent of all schools within the state of California.
In 2004, Lopez founded the No Excuses University Network of Schools.
According to his site, “This endeavor helps to build a bridge for all students to attend college as it begins promoting a comprehensive college readiness model starting in kindergarten.”
There are currently 71 schools participating in the No Excuses University Network. Keeling Elementary is in the process of joining and Palomino Intermediate School in the Paradise Valley Unified School District is also part of the Network.
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