From the Director

From the CEO

February 12, 2010

The outcomes are indisputable; the data are clear. Children are learning at Grandfather Academy!

After one year of instruction in this unique charter school, Bill improved 2.5 years in spelling and 2.0 years in reading. Julie is a sixth grade student. She has been an Academy pupil for four months and has shown a one year increase in reading. Hank has been enrolled for just over half a year and produced a two year increase in reading.

Do Grandfather Academy students learn to read faster and with greater comprehension? The answer is YES! The Great Leaps Reading Program is used as a major tool. Sarah began the program reading 53 wpm and finished reading 200 wpm. Katie has used Great Leaps for four months and moved her reading speed from 41 wpm to 108 wpm. Charlie improved in eight months from 52 wpm to 165 wpm. Comprehension? If comprehension is not at a predetermined acceptable level, the Great Leaps program does not permit the wpm rate to stand. How good these boys and girls must feel about their reading achievements!

Not only are there individual classroom stars, I am pleased to report that aggregate data also are encouraging. Grandfather Academy saw a 21.6% increase in students performing at or above grade level on the 2008/09 end-of-grade tests. Much like NCAA college basketball rankings, for this particular category the Academy is ranked in the top 20 of North Carolina charter schools.

Despite academic and behavioral achievements for the students, Grandfather Academy is under threat of having the charter terminated by the State Department of Education. The reason, as stated in the January 26 letter from the Office of Charter Schools, is decreased enrollment. You will remember that the primary purpose of Grandfather Academy is to educate the children placed in the Grandfather Home residential mental health program. As state directives have reduced dramatically the number of children on the Hayes Campus, there has been a corresponding reduction in student enrollment at the Academy.

Please pray that God’s will shall prevail and that the best interest of children shall always be the primary objective!

There has been much snow and wind in Banner Elk! I look forward to the sunshine and warm temperatures on September 27-28 as the 2010 Children’s Golf Classic is hosted at Grandfather Golf and Country Club.

On a personal note, Ann Swinkola’s firstborn is turning 34 this week. Is she getting older?

2010 Update

KA_2-19-2010