Middle School Charters — Suspending their way to the top
In June, Gotham schools published the names of the 10 charter schools with the highest suspension rates. Many of these were middle schools and three had suspension rates at least four times above the city average.
Now, the city test results are out, and two additional facts emerge about these schools.
First, students in these schools weren’t just suspended; they also disappeared. Specifically, as classes moved up from one grade to the next, the number of students in them got smaller and smaller. The average reduction was 15% between 5th and 6th grade alone, which is when the size of cohorts is most likely to shrink.
Classes shrink faster at these charters than as just about any other charters in the city. All three, in fact, rank in
Now, the city test results are out, and two additional facts emerge about these schools.
First, students in these schools weren’t just suspended; they also disappeared. Specifically, as classes moved up from one grade to the next, the number of students in them got smaller and smaller. The average reduction was 15% between 5th and 6th grade alone, which is when the size of cohorts is most likely to shrink.
| School | Grade Span | Change in number of students in cohort | % Reducation in cohort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harlem VIll. Acad. Ldrshp | 5th (2011) to 6th (2012) | 96 to 77 | -20% |
| Bed Stuy Collegiate | 5th (2011) to 6th (2012) | 81 to 69 | -15% |
| Kings Collegiate | 5th (2011) to 6th (2012) | 80 to 71 | -11% |