A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 0

SBUILDING GREAT TEACHERS.

CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP.

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 0 1

Letter from Brooke Leadership

Dear Friends of the Edward W. Brooke Charter School:

We are pleased to present you this annual report for academic year 2009-2010.

By the numbers, our 450 scholars in grades K-8 are ordinary Boston school kids. Our scholars are 98% minority,

and 72% qualify for free and reduced-priced lunch. But their academic performance has been far from ordinary.

The strong results of our students on the 2010 MCAS once again placed them squarely among the top schools in the

city and the state. Some highlights:

3 Our 8th graders ranked #1 in the state in both English and Math

3 Our 7th graders ranked #1 in the state in both English and Math

3 Our 4th graders ranked #1 in Boston in both English and Math

3 Across the board, Brooke scholars outperformed students in MA’s wealthiest districts, closing the

achievement gap in every test they took.

That performance is helping propel our graduates to college. Over 70% of the 8th grade graduates from the class

of 2010 are attending prestigious, college-preparatory high schools like Noble and Greenough, Milton Academy,

and Boston Latin. We’re proud to announce that our first class of scholars – the Brooke class of 2006 – enrolled in

college this fall.

When you compare these results to the data coming from Boston Public Schools – where only 15% of students

graduate from college and more than 60% of 3rd graders cannot read – you likely wonder what it is that we’re doing

differently at Brooke. The answer: our unrelenting focus on excellent teaching.

At Brooke, teachers become excellent because they collaborate and work in teams, because they receive constant

feedback, and because they work in an environment with the real-time data, operational efficiency, and high

behavioral expectations needed to succeed. We have proven our ability to deliver what all kids, regardless of

background, need: better teaching in bigger doses.

The more than 1,500 Boston students on our wait list deserve that kind of excellent teaching. That’s why we are

planning to grow by opening up to three new schools in the next three years. But we can’t get there without you.

Donate to Brooke, and watch as your investment helps eliminate Boston’s achievement gap.

Sincerely,

Hilary Berkman, Jon Clark, and Kimberly Steadman

Board Chair and Co-Directors

A Brooke 1st grader shows the Core Value of Focus during independent reading time.

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 0 3

We’re not just excellent MCAS results. We also teach our scholars the values they’ll need to succeed in life.Our supportive, transformative school culture results directly from the Brooke Core Values. They guide

teachers and scholars in all aspects of school life.

Core Values are reinforced throughout the school day. As kindergarteners read a book about a hard-working

lightning bug, they might discuss his great Focus. As third graders tackle new geometry concepts, they’ll

think about Teamwork as they collaboratively problem solve. As 8th graders approach graduation, they’ll

talk about the Self-Determination needed to make it to and through college.

In addition, our K-2 scholars start every morning with a Core Values chant and group-wide discussion of

the latest Core Values Challenge. Our 3-8 graders use weekly Character Education lessons and Community

Meetings to set personal growth goals, discuss inspiring quotes, and give shout-outs to teammates who’ve

exemplified the Core Values.

CORE VALUES

OCUS: Keep your eye on the goal - college!

NTEGRITY: Do what’s right, just because it’s right.

ESPECT: Be kind and supportive, to yourself and others.

ELF-DETERMINATION: Know that hard work makes anything possible.

EAMWORK: Collaborate with fellow scholars to achieve excellence.

F

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The Brooke Core Values

E D WA R D W. B R O O K E C H A R T E R S C H O O L2

What if we believed that great teaching could close the

achievement gap?

• We’d dissect the research to get a clear sense of

what great teaching looks like in the classroom.

Great teachers create ordered, structured classrooms;

they know exactly what each student knows and plan

thoughtfully to move each one on the path to mastery;

and they build supportive, transformative relationships

with their students.

• We’d focus intently on professional development

to develop that kind of teaching. Our teachers work

collaboratively to improve their practice, learning through

co-planning, group-wide review of teacher video, scholar

“case studies,” and rigorous analysis of scholar data.

• We’d create school conditions where great teaching

can thrive. Research shows that students excel in

environments with strong data systems, high behavioral

expectations for students, extended learning time, and

school leadership with an unrelenting focus on results.

At Brooke, we believe. Our great teachers are creating great

results for our scholars.

The #1 predictor of academic achievement in the United States is not race. It’s not socio-economic status. It’s teacher quality.

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A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 0E D WA R D W. B R O O K E C H A R T E R S C H O O L4 5

Brooke teachers close the achievement gap.On the 2010 MCAS, Brooke scholars:

3 Ranked #1 in the state in both 8th grade English and 8th grade math

3 Ranked #1 in the state in both 7th grade English and 7th grade math

3 Ranked #1 in Boston in both 4th grade English and 4th grade math

Across the board, Brooke scholars outperformed students in MA’s wealthiest districts,

closing the achievement gap in every test they took.

By the Numbers450 STUDENTS 98% MINORITY 72% RECEIVE FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH[

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80

100

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40

60

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2010 Math State Test Scores (MCAS)

42

65

73 73

28

48

54

81

39

55

62 61

38

59

66

92

37

53

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34

51

58

96

3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

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2010 Science State Test Scores (MCAS)

BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

21

53

62 62

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47

63

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STATE, OVERALL STATE, CAUCASIAN BROOKE SCHOOL

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20

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60

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100

2010 English State Test Scores (MCAS)

37

63

70 69

30

54

61

83

40

63

70

79

44

69

77

92

52

72

79

100

58

78

84

100

3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th

ACHIEVEMENT

Brooke scholars are riding that academic achievement all the way to college. Over 70%

of the 8th grade graduates from the class of 2010 are attending prestigious, college-

preparatory high schools like Noble and Greenough, Milton Academy, and Boston Latin.

We’re proud to announce that our first class of scholars – the Brooke class of 2006 –

enrolled in college this fall.

2010 MCAS: Brooke vs. Wealthiest Massachusetts DistrictsBurgundy highlighting indicates where Brooke scholars have closed the achievement gap by outperforming students in much wealthier districts. The numbers in each cell indicate the percentage of district students who scored advanced or proficient.

3rdELA

3rdMath

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6thELA

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Acton- Boxborough NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 92 84 94 81

Brookline 77 79 74 75 80 80 91 83 90 78 91 75

Concord 82 80 84 67 83 83 91 80 91 72 95 70

Dover 76 87 82 73 86 82 NA NA NA NA NA NA

Harvard 82 77 76 63 88 80 86 86 91 83 97 81

Lexington 84 90 84 79 87 89 88 85 92 84 95 84

Newotn 79 82 78 72 85 85 85 77 90 80 91 77

Sherborn 87 81 77 72 90 83 NA NA NA NA NA NA

Wellesley 84 75 76 62 84 77 90 80 93 76 95 76

Weston 79 81 79 73 91 86 92 89 95 81 95 77

Brooke 69 72 83 81 76 62 92 94 100 100 100 96

Brooke alumni attend great high schools...

• Beaver Country Day School

• Boston College High School

• Boston Latin Academy

• Boston Latin School

• John D. O’Bryant School of Math and Science

• Miss Hall’s School

• Noble and Greenough

• Phillips Academy Andover

• Rivers School

• Xaverian Brothers High School

...And our first class will graduate college in 2014

• Boston University

• Concordia University (Canada)

• Northeastern University

• Thomas College

• Union College

• University of Massachusetts - Amherst

• University of New Hampshire

• Wentworth Institute of Technology

• Winston Salem State University

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 0E D WA R D W. B R O O K E C H A R T E R S C H O O L6 7

REPLICATION

Brooke closes the achievement gap at 20% less per student than Boston Public Schools.We are committed to excellent education not just for Brooke scholars, but for all low-income urban students

across the country. By carefully controlling our cost per scholar, we have designed a model that is replicable

and scalable.

Our controlled costs prove that our results are based on excellent teaching – not on pumping more dollars

in the door. The same tax dollars that result in such dismal educational outcomes for students in traditional

Boston Public Schools could instead fund the remarkable achievements of Brooke scholars. Once up and

running, the Brooke network will be self-sustaining.

The 1,500 Boston Public Schools students on the Brooke wait list are stuck in failing schools.These wait-listed students lack access to high-quality educational

options. Enrolled in schools that have failed to close the

achievement gap, these students will likely be trapped in the cycle

of poverty. Their life prospects will be determined by their zip

codes.

We want to change this.

We plan to open three new schools in the next three years.

Together, the four Brooke Schools will serve 2,000 low-income

Boston-area students. These schools will provide our scholars the

excellent academics and strong character foundation needed to

make it to – and through – college.

The network will also serve as a nationwide proof that great

teaching can close the achievement gap. School, district, and

political leaders will take note of the excellent results at the Brooke

Charter Network. Our impact will ripple out beyond our 2,000

scholars, impacting policy and school decision-making in low-

income urban districts across the state and country.

CONTROLLING COSTS

0

20

40

60

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100

English Math

BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

SOURCE: EDWARD W. BROOKE CHARTER SCHOOL 2009-2010 ANNUAL REPORT; BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS, “AT A GLANCE” REPORT; DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION 2010 MCAS REPORT

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BROOKE SCHOOL

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$17,123

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$13,533

56,340 440

$964,716,680 $5,954,891

TOTAL ENROLLMENT (FY10)

TOTAL EXPENDITURE (FY10)

Brooke spends 20% less than Boston Public Schools...

...but our students achieve at significantly higher rates

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 0E D WA R D W. B R O O K E C H A R T E R S C H O O L8 9

Donate now to help close the achievement gap and build great teachers.There are more than 1,500 Boston students on our wait list. The majority of these students attend failing

schools, like the one that Brooke 8th grader Beatriz describes before she came to us: no science classes,

a reading teacher who told students to teach themselves, and math instruction that left her convinced she

was dumb. Now at Brooke, Beatriz leads school-wide poetry slams and plans to go to Harvard to become

a neurosurgeon.

We want to create more stories like Beatriz’s. But we need your support.We have carefully managed our costs to ensure that our model is replicable and scalable. For our operational

expenses, we rely fully on public dollars. But unlike traditional public schools, charter schools must find

private funding for facilities costs, paying for our own buildings, renovations, and supplies. If we’re going to

serve more scholars, we need more school space. To get that school space, we need more private dollars.

In addition to facilities costs, we use private contributions to cover alumni scholarships and end-of-year

educational trips.

Your contribution can help close the achievement gap.Support literacy: $100 buys ten books for the library at our new Brooke campus

Expand horizons: $250 sends an 8th grader to D.C. to see our government in action

Encourage college completion: $500 buys textbooks for a college-enrolled Brooke alumnus/a

Keep a scholar in school: $1,000 closes the gap between a family’s ability to pay and financial aid

available from a private high school

Invest in science education: $5,000 provides new lab equipment for the scholars at our new Brooke

campus

Make a donation online: www.ebrooke.org/invest/ or mail checks to:Edward W. Brooke Charter School

C/o: Jenny Jordan, Director of External Affairs

190 Cummins Highway

Roslindale, MA 02131

INVEST

A Brooke scholar hones his analytical skills in a rousing game of afterschool chess.

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 0E D WA R D W. B R O O K E C H A R T E R S C H O O L10 11

Board of Directors

Edee Alexander

Hilary Berkman (Board Chair)

Senator Edward W. Brooke

(Honorary Advisory Board Chair)

Bart Bussink

Jake Grossman (Advisory Board)

Scott Oran

Ted Preston

Jill Reynolds

Foundation and Corporate

Partners

Anonymous

The Boston Foundation

Charles Hayden Foundation

The Clippership Foundation

Individuals (2004 -

Spring 2010)

The Bartletts

Barbara and George Beal

Sue Bear

Susanne Beck

Peter Bell

Hilary Berkman

Rhonda Berkman

Kate Berserth

Anne Blumberg

Marion Boch

David Borah

Helen and Joe Bouscaren

Kenley Branscome

Senator Edward W. and Anne F.

Brooke

Jessie Lee and Warren Burr

Bart Bussinck

The Carlsons

The Carpenters

Mark Carter

Audrey Choi

Kathy Choi

Pat Clancy

Joel P. Clark

Jon Clark

Ben and Cindy Clements

Mike Conza

Gail Deegan

Abbey Deitel

Martin Denning

Beth and Dick Dionne

Kelly Doherty

John and Tanye Donnelly

Mike D’Onofrio

Jon Dorfman

Ellen and Tom Draper

Julie Dunn

Deborah and Vernon Ellinger

Hap Ellis

Daniel and Lisa Ennis

Kathy Fallon

Thomas Mark Fay

Maria and Rushika Fernandopulle

Cynthia and Dean Fisher

Kelly Fitzsimmons

Marc Forchielli

Carla and Tom Fortmann

Peter Fritschel

Chris Frost

Melissa Frost

Rich Frost

Gary Furst

Caroline Gainan

Julie Galeota

Ingrid Gallagher

John Giragos

Muna Giragos

Paul Giragos

Allison Godoff

Susan Gold

Paul Golden

Andrew Goldfarb

Bethany and William Gray

David Greenstein

David Grossman

Louis Grossman

Alexandra Halpern

John Hamel

Larry Hamelsky

Emily and Tom Haslett

Jimmy Henson

Mike Hill

Brian Howells

Sarah Idelson

Ann Jenkins

By investing in Brooke, our partners help us close the achievement gap for Boston youth.

2009-2010 ANNUAL REPORT 2009-2010 PARTNERS

FINANCIALS Jul ‘09 - Jun ‘10

Ordinary Income/Expense

Income

4100 · Private Grants and Donations 500,194.50

4150 · Federal Entitlements 609,004.58

4200 · Commonwealth Per Pupil Revenue 5,388,001.00

4700 · In-Kind Revenue 600,000.00

4010 · Federal School Lunch Program 260,739.21

4994 · Mass Health Payments 9,105.17

4990 · Misc. Income 89,914.55

Total Income 7,456,959.01

Expense

5000·PayrollandBenefitExpenses 3,601,080.47

5400 · Instructional Expenses 239,571.95

6000 · Student Services 725,325.87

6300 · Nutrition Program 253,646.37

7000 · Facility Expenses 564,344.42

8000 · Operating Expenses 570,922.15

Total Expense 5,954,891.23

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 0E D WA R D W. B R O O K E C H A R T E R S C H O O L12 13

Rosemarie Johnson

Steve Johnson

Ted Johnson

Thomas Mark Kay

Jarvis Kellogg

The Khetanis

John J-H Kim

Pam Kogut

Karen Kreiling

Betsy Leahy

Michael Lezinski

Michael MacClary

Rachel Madden

Ron Marcelo

Steve Marsel

Ryan McDonough

Jeff McGonagle

John McGovern

Bill and Linda McQuillan

Gerard Michael

Roderick Moon

Rory Morton

Betsy Munnell

Brian Nagendra

Pam Nelson

Chris O’Brien

Scott Oran

Lynn Paine

Thomas Paine

Bill Parker

Jan Pattanayak

Cliff Pattullo

Carroll and Cary Perry

Katherine Piedra

Nancy Porter Morrill

David Preston

Joan Preston

Ted Preston

Ann Reale

George Reynolds

Jill Reynolds

Karen Reynolds

James Rhee

Anthony Rich

Steve Rodman

Jane and John Rossi

Conall Ryan

Rachel and Todd Safferstone

Andrew Savitz

Alan and Kate Scott

David Senn

Amanda Sevigny

The Skinners

Bert Snyder

Betsy and Susan Snyder

John Steadman

Kimberly Steadman

Shari Steadman

Shane Steffens

Jen and Tim Sullivan

Chris and Kate Supple

Winnie Swan

Deborah Tall

John and Nike Tirman

Tony Tjan

Jaeckle Torrey

Nancy Traiser

Paula and Peter Tyack

Avi Urbas

David and Janice Vaughn

Jonathan and Melissa Weinberg

Susan Young

Karl Zachar

Dana Zadarozny

Megan Zug

Robert Zuker

2009-2010 PARTNERS

Because of the extended school day and year, Brooke scholars have time for art, dance, music, and gym.

Edward W. Brooke Charter School

190 Cummins Highway

Roslindale, MA 02131

P: 617-325-7977

F: 617-325-2260

www.ebrooke.org