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To improve teaching and learning we have focused our resources on Advanced Placement, ensuring that all of our AP teachers have had the training within the past five years. Additionally, we seek structured job embedded professional learning opportunities in content specific learning communities established within the school. These communities review data, student work, and participate in structured conversations on shared readings on books like 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, Good to Great, Five Levels of Leadership, and Disrupting Class.

Describe specific programs in place to ensure that families are involved in the success of your school and students.

The Parent Teacher Organization is comprised of school team members and students’ parents who are committed to the vision of becoming one of the top high schools in America, and who support the values outlined by the Elizabeth Public Schools. The PTO is vital to the engagement and promotion of many school events including performing arts, athletics, fundraising, and academic support. EHS engages its families and community through a multitude of technological resources. Elizabeth is committed to the use of technology for both student success and community involvement. Parents and students have access to Naviance to further promote a successful post-secondary transition. Students and parents have constant access to their teachers through email, social media, and academic services such as Blackboard and edConnect.

Describe the most successful activity your school has initiated to strengthen ties to your community.

What are your school’s top two goals for the next year?

2015-2016 School Wide SMART Goals

There will be a school wide emphasis on SAT/ Content Specific vocabulary evidenced by dynamic word walls, lesson plans, and student work

All students will have individual performance plans utilizing online intervention programs like Khan Academy or portfolios related to content specific performance rubrics.

Identify the critical professional development activities you use to improve teaching and student learning.

To improve teaching and learning we have focused our resources on Advanced Placement, ensuring that all of our AP teachers have had the training within the past five years. Additionally, we seek structured job embedded professional learning opportunities in content specific learning communities established within the school. These communities review data, student work, and participate in structured conversations on shared readings on books like 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, Good to Great, Five Levels of Leadership, and Disrupting Class. This kind of professional development creates dynamic conversations between faculty. Evaluation is conducted to provide rapid feedback on planning and execution of lessons with particular focus on teacher rapport, expectations, classroom behavior, learning goals, higher order questioning, student engagement, and assessment.

Describe how data is used to improve student achievement and inform decision making.

The school regularly looks at school generated assessment data in the form of grades, district benchmarks, and student work in order to make informed decisions regarding scheduling, teacher feedback, and shared expectations in the school community. The school also utilizes standardized test data to inform teaching and learning in the classroom with emphasis on Advanced Placement, PARCC, PSAT and the SAT. This data is shared with parents at PTO meetings, back to school nights, and 8th grade parent information sessions. Parents and students have access to an online college and career readiness data which helps match students with schools that most nearly meet their individual strengths.

Describe your school culture and explain changes you’ve taken to improve it.

Elizabeth High School is a community of leaders where teachers, parents, students, and administrators collaborate to ensure a shared vision of excellence is executed at all levels. It is our belief that school leadership begins with the articulation of the aspirations for the learning community, especially those of parents and students. To that end, the vision and mission are best served by empowering students to be leaders themselves. Club officers, student government, class officers, and other student leaders have real influence and preside over the majority of school functions. We also believe that all teachers serve in a leadership position, and the administration promotes professional development experiences that develop teachers as leaders.

• Category 1

  Selected in 2015

• Grades: 9 - 12
  School Setting: urban
  Town Population: 125,000
  Student Enrollment: 837
  Student Demographics:
  

  Black/African American: 10%
  White/Caucasian: 13%
  Hispanic: 72.3%
  Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
  Asian: 4.5%
  Native American: 0%
  Other: 0%
  

  Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:15
  % Reduced Lunch: 77%
  % ELL Learners: 1%
  Founded: 2009
• PRINCIPAL:
  Michael Cummings
• CONTACT:
  500 North Broad Street
  Elizaeth, NJ 07208
  908-436-5860
  cumminmi@elizabeth.k12.nj.us