With low test scores, a decline in student enrollment and a bad reputation, Mae L. Feaster Charter School in west Chula Vista underwent a transformation three years ago.
That transformation has yielded stronger test scores, higher rates of attendance and improved student behavior.
And now Feaster is among the finalists for a national honor.
The National Center for Urban School Transformation has announced that Feaster is one of 22 finalists from across the country for the National Excellence in Urban Education Award.
“These schools are among the best urban schools in the nation,” Dr. Joseph F. Johnson Jr., executive director of the National Center for Urban School Transformation, said in a statement.
“Although these schools serve low-income communities with an array of challenges, every finalist boasts achievement results that exceed state averages for all students.”
In determining about 10 to 15 award winners, NCUST will visit school sites and evaluate them. Feaster’s site visit is Jan. 28.
An NCUST evaluation team of researchers and practioners will interview students, teachers, principals and view in-depth the programs the school offers its students. The NCUST wants to see results showing how much are the kids learning.
Award winners will be announced in March.
Francisco Velasco, Feaster’s executive director, said if the school doesn’t win the award, it is still an accomplishment in itself to be named a finalist.
“I believe we are the only school in Chula Vista that is on that list (of finalists),” he said. “And one of two schools in the state.”
As a finalist, schools such as Feaster had to show that they are a Title I school, serve low-income students and display better than average test scores. Title I schools have a high number of students on reduced lunch.
Feaster and other schools on the list also demonstrate positive progress for different demographics.
“I believe at Feaster we are breaking the barriers,” Velasco said.
Velasco said there are many reasons that explain Feaster’s turnaround. He said a main contribution is splitting the school up into two different academies. The first academy is a STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The other academy at the school is a VAPA school – Visual and Performing Arts.
Each child at the school gets to select their pathway and continue that pathway until they graduate.
Velasco said the school’s transformation couldn’t happen without great teachers.
“I am very blessed with having great teachers that place very high expectations on all of our students,” he said.
