Ethel M. Taylor Academy Recognized with the 2011 National Award for Excellence
This past June, Ethel M. Taylor Academy, a school within the Cincinnati Public School District, was recognized by the Coalition of Community Schools with the 2011 National Award for Excellence. The award was presented at a ceremony at the Capitol in Washington D. C. where members of the school, along with legislators from across the country attended. Only three schools nationally were recognized for their community school work this year.
A community school partners with outside agencies and gathers other community resources to better serve the needs of its students in order to improve academic achievement. The design of one community school compared to another is very different, due to the needs of a particular school.
At Taylor Academy, there are a number of partners who assist in removing barriers to learning for students. Each partner does as much as they can to assist. For example, Children’s Home Mental Health provides three full-time, onsite counselors. These counselors work with individual students on behavior and discipline issues, grief counseling, and alternate placement, among other services. The Cincinnati Health Department provides nursing services. The school nurse is often the primary health contact for the child and his or her family providing screenings, making clinic appointments, and eye and dental evaluations. Union Savings Bank has adopted the third grade students by providing incentives during state testing as well as hosting holiday parties. The bank has even taken the lead by establishing a Junior Community Action Committee for grades three through six students. Representatives from these grade levels plan and carry out community service projects for the school and the community. Miami University and the University of Cincinnati have provided tutors the entire school year helping students improve their math and reading skills.
These are just a few examples of the strong partnerships at Taylor. The partners, along with a dedicated teaching staff, have helped move Taylor out of academic emergency. We know that as a community school we have a great deal of work ahead. There is definitely more work to be done; however, we are proud of our accomplishments to this point. We are moving toward academic excellence.
For more information about Taylor Academy and the Coalition for Community Schools, visit
www.communityschools.org.
Dr. Sean McCauley is the principal of Ethel M. Taylor Academy in Cincinnati. He has been a teacher and administrator for Cincinnati Public Schools for over 20 years. Dr. McCauley is a graduate of the SAIL for Education program.