| In the 5 years since New York City Schools received | | | | that parent and students are demanding more of |
| funding from philanthropic giants like the Bill and | | | | them, is a dramatic marker of success for New York |
| Melinda Gates foundation, the Carnegie Corporation, | | | | City Schools. Part of the success may lie in the |
| and the Open Society Institute New Yorkers have | | | | partnerships required. New York City Schools are |
| watched closely the development of New Century | | | | partnered with a social or business partner to provide |
| High Schools (NCHS). The $70 million investment | | | | its strength, expertise and community involvement to |
| funded an initiative to create smaller high school | | | | the theme based NCHS. Annual reports funded by |
| communities in this vast metropolis. The goal is to | | | | the Carnegie Corporation and other sponsors closely |
| provide children in New York City Schools with more | | | | track this initiative’s progress. |
| choices to drive them toward their goals of college, | | | | The reports show encouraging results for New York |
| or practical employment. | | | | City Schools. On average a NCHS out paces other |
| Currently, 83 New Century High Schools are | | | | New York City Schools by 23% in terms of 11th |
| educating over 13,000 high school students. These | | | | graders on schedule for graduation. The New Century |
| schools are markedly different than traditional New | | | | High Schools also surpass traditional models in terms |
| York City Schools. The first difference is in size. A | | | | of credit accumulation, promotion rates, attendance |
| NCHS is housed in a larger high school, but only | | | | and academic outcomes. Many educators are |
| educates about 400 students. | | | | optimistic that replacing the large school dinosaur with |
| Pedagogy between traditional New York City Schools | | | | these more intimate and focused options might be |
| and the NCHS also differs. A curriculum based on | | | | the solutions for New York City Schools. |
| teen development principles, and that adheres to | | | | In 2006 the Annenberg Foundation donated another |
| strict standards, is used in all of the New Century | | | | $20 million to New Vision for Public Schools, which |
| High Schools. The standards address issues that have | | | | oversees the project, to sustain and create more |
| always plagued the New York City Schools: | | | | small high schools. Overall, response to the initiative |
| attendance and graduation rates. A NCHS requires a | | | | from parents, educators, students and the |
| 92% attendance rate. But its most dramatic demand | | | | community are positive. New York City Schools now |
| is that 80% of NCHS students must pass the | | | | house NCHS buildings in 4 boroughs and plan to |
| rigorous NYS Regents exam, which is required for | | | | institute many more. Their success is likely to drive |
| graduation. | | | | the future of public schools driven by private funding. |
| The fact that NCHS are meeting these demands, and | | | | |