John Marshall Fundamental Secondary School Named a 2014 MetLife-NASSP Breakthrough School

John Marshall Fundamental Secondary School was named one of MetLife Foundation and National Association of Secondary School Principal’s (NASSP) 2014 Breakthrough Schools for its strong academic success in the face of challenges that result from high student poverty rates.

The school will be officially recognized along with the eight other Breakthrough Schools at NASSP’s Ignite 2014 Conference in Dallas, TX, February 6-8.

Since 2007, the MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough Schools program has showcased middle level and high schools that are high achieving or have dramatically improved student achievement while serving large numbers of students who live in poverty.

“NASSP applauds these schools for understanding the need to prioritize personalization in the classroom and working to meet the specific needs of each and every student,” said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti. “The principals of these schools show us all that high poverty doesn’t have to mean low achievement, but that with the right leadership, sufficient time and a clear focus, urban, rural and suburban high-poverty schools can make great strides in academic achievement and overall school success.”

Through a district-run open enrollment process, John Marshall Fundamental Secondary School serves more than 1,800 diverse students in grades 6-12. Almost three-quarters of those students are eligible for free and/or reduced price meals. Marshall is committed to providing students rigorous coursework, using Advanced Placement course as a benchmark for rigor. Personalized 4-year plans, academic supports, interventions, and local community partnerships contribute towards a cohort graduation rate higher than 95%. The arts are an integral part of education at Marshall and are supported by cultural arts community partnerships. Local college and university partnerships provide additional classes and resources.

Selection criteria for the award are based on a school’s documented success in implementing strategies that are aligned with the three core areas of NASSP’s Breaking Ranks Framework, including collaborative leadership, personalization, and curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

John Marshall Fundamental Secondary School has shown continuous growth on state assessments during at least the last three years and made progress toward reducing the achievement gap. Success in implementing the strategies is documented and verified through school site visits, including meetings with principals, teachers, students and community leaders.

The school will receive a $5,000 grant and Principal Mark Anderson will have the opportunity to participate in Ignite ’14 and other events throughout the year to share the school’s success and best practices with other school leaders around the nation.

For more information on the Breakthrough Schools program or on this year’s winners, visit www.nassp.org/breakthrough.

For more information about John Marshall Fundamental Secondary School, visit http://marshall.pasadenausd.org/.