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Back to School

While the 2005-2006 Alameda school year started off with the dismal prospects of school closings and declining enrollment, the news took a turn for the better in the spring, and Alameda enters the fall under promising academic terms.

A new public school (in a really cool building), charter schools challenging old-school ways, successful test results, solid Academic Performance Index scores and strong private and parochial offerings make for the Island's overall healthy educational outlook.

"For me, there has never been a more exciting time in our school district than right now," says Ardella Dailey, the superintendent of the Alameda Unified School District. "How far we have come as a school district!"

The brightest news is the opening of the Ruby Bridges Elementary School in Bayport at 351 Jack London Ave. Ruby Bridges was the first African-American child to desegregate an elementary school in New Orleans in 1960, and she spent that school year alone in her classroom with the only teacher who would teach her.

"The promise of our future is symbolized by our new school, Ruby Bridges, named after a brave child who took a stand for her free public education," Dailey says.

The new school building boasts three wings-- one for kindergarten, one for first through third grades and one for fourth and fifth grades--plus a multi-purpose room and a media center for the community. Ruby Bridges consolidates three former schools and puts those students under one roof--somewhat of a daring move, because it unites divergent communities, bringing together low-income, immigrant, transitional military and moderate- and high-income families, says Rosalind Davenport, Ruby Bridges principal.

"It will be a challenge, but when you are challenged, you grow," she says.

The diverse parents, teachers and staff, Dailey says, share the same goal of presenting safe, engaging and challenging education to their charges to improve their future.

Solid Improvement

The district is still soaring on the results of the state's 2005 Academic Performance Index Base Report, released by the California Department of Education in March. The report ranks California schools academically from 1 to 10 and compares a school's performance with other state schools of similar size and demographic characteristics. Alameda public schools have consistently shown significant increases in their scores, with 11 of 19 schools receiving an 8, 9 or 10 and five receiving a 10 in 2005.

"This just illustrates the fact that Alameda schools are continuing to improve every year. It's a solid, steady improvement," reports Donna Toutjian Fletcher, the district's public information officer.

New Frontiers

Alameda's secondary schools are undergoing some significant changes, says Sean McPhetridge. He's the acting director of secondary education and acting director of the Regional Occupational Program for the district. McPhetridge is also the principal of the Alameda Science and Technology Institute, a small new high school at the College of Alameda and one of the first "early college high schools" in California.

"High school reform is on everyone's mind, and an early college high school addresses the crisis that's happening in America," McPhetridge says, who believes the college access Alameda students receive will help them be well prepped for higher education and career success.

Thanks to a partnership between the district and the College of Alameda, ASTI graduates receive a four-year high school diploma and earn up to two years of college credit in the four years they complete their high school coursework. ASTI receives part of its funding from a grant by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Other noteworthy nontraditional secondary school learning options on the Island are the Alameda Community Learning Center, Bay Area School of Enterprise and Island High School.

Beyond Public

Alamedans have education choices besides public schools, with four Catholic schools (three elementary schools and one high school), two private Christian schools, a handful of Montessori schools and an academy within the city limits.

The Chinese Christian School on Bay Farm Island enters its fourth year with an Alameda campus. Development director Debbie Leong says administrators anticipate an enrollment of 200 for kindergarten through eighth grade, with parents attracted by the school's reputation for academics and a protective environment.

"We work hard to create a nurturing and caring environment with teachers who really work to make sure that the students succeed," Leong says.

On the East End, Saint Philip Neri Catholic Elementary School is one of three parochial grammar schools. Principal Marilyn Marchi says that the Saint Philip Neri approach stresses high achievement, safety and "core values that challenge our kids, providing a foundation that supports another 10 to 15 years of further education." The school debuts a new science center this fall to coincide with a program that integrates science concepts throughout the curriculum.

No matter where your kids go to school, they have plenty to get excited about this year. It just takes a new start, some shiny new buildings and spiffy new school clothes to get and keep them motivated-- at least, let's hope, until Thanksgiving.