The School Design Leaders of each of the new schools made a commitment to the 11 zip codes (19120, 19121, 19122, 19123, 19124 19125, 19130, 19132, 19133, 19134, 19140) surrounding the new school sites. There are 52 schools with 8th graders in those zip codes, and we have reached out to each one to schedule in-person presentations.
Students, parents/guardians and school staff have been very excited about this opportunity. There are lots of great stories to share, but there is one in particular that stands out.
Late last week I received three calls and a message from the same number. When I returned the call, the father said that after a presentation made at his daughter's school she was so excited about going to the U School. He said, "we live near the school and it usually takes her about 20 minutes or so to get home from school every day." He continued, "Yesterday, she and three of her friends kicked down our door at 3:10, one minute after school gets out. She ran in and said, "Daddy, daddy, I know where I want to go to school! You have to get in touch with the man about getting into the school." The father said, "I have never seen her so enthusiastic about something, it made me feel so great, that I had to call you." I expressed excitement to the father, and began to explain the application process, and he quickly informed me that she was in the 7th grade, and they wanted to know what could be done for next year.
That was one anecdote of hundreds that we have had out in the field. Creating excitement and enthusiasm is the easy part. Sustaining that energy and excitement is the challenge of the school moving forward.
Students, parents/guardians and school staff have been very excited about this opportunity. There are lots of great stories to share, but there is one in particular that stands out.
Late last week I received three calls and a message from the same number. When I returned the call, the father said that after a presentation made at his daughter's school she was so excited about going to the U School. He said, "we live near the school and it usually takes her about 20 minutes or so to get home from school every day." He continued, "Yesterday, she and three of her friends kicked down our door at 3:10, one minute after school gets out. She ran in and said, "Daddy, daddy, I know where I want to go to school! You have to get in touch with the man about getting into the school." The father said, "I have never seen her so enthusiastic about something, it made me feel so great, that I had to call you." I expressed excitement to the father, and began to explain the application process, and he quickly informed me that she was in the 7th grade, and they wanted to know what could be done for next year.
That was one anecdote of hundreds that we have had out in the field. Creating excitement and enthusiasm is the easy part. Sustaining that energy and excitement is the challenge of the school moving forward.