Jerome D. Mack Middle School has been named a winner of the 2017 School Innovation and Change Awards, presented by the National Principals Leadership Institute.
The award recognizes schools that rose from underperforming to exemplary.
The award includes $10,000 to support the school’s ongoing change effort, a leadership consultation with a member of the SICA National Faculty and participation in a major national research project focusing on school change.
NPLI presented the monetary award to the school during a ceremony in New York City on July 10. The funds wil be used for staff professional development.
According to the NPLI website, "Formerly known as the National School Change Awards, this award is unique because it recognizes failing schools that embraced new and innovative strategies and dramatically improved."
Mack Middle School Principal Roxanne James said the school has reduced suspensions and expulsions from 25 percent of the students each year to just three percent. Additionally, more than 300 Mack Middle School students receive high school credit each year for Spanish literacy and algebra.
