New Hope Elementary recognized for closing school-wide achievement gap

New Hope Elementary School in Chapel Hill recently received recognition from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Office of Federal Programs for their work in closing academic achievement gaps. 

The school is one of the top ten Title Ⅰ schools in the state recognized for closing achievement gaps, Principal Meredith Maier said. New Hope is also in the top three percent for student growth in the state as measured by the state report card system.

She said the school takes a holistic approach to support the whole child. The student support team is very hands on. For example, she said the art teacher is a licensed art therapist, pulling students for social emotional support in art therapy settings.

The school also runs an after-school program out of the subsidized Gateway Villages Apartment Complex in Hillsborough, Maier said. Staff travels to them, removing transportation as a barrier to student access.

“We are in the work of removing barriers and mobilizing people around this wild idea that we can and will close the gaps,” Maier said.

Alyson Mann is a student support representative at New Hope. She works across all grade levels to support students and teachers in behavior and crisis intervention and classroom culture navigation.

“Our families are incredibly active in our school, and I think they're kind of here to celebrate every success and to navigate every obstacle, because the achievement really belongs to our students, our families and our staff,” Mann said.

Mann said that the key is consistency and holding students to high expectations. These actions could be applied and replicated at other schools.

“I think at the core, education should be rooted in joy and excitement,” Mann said. “Our students and our staff really believe in that and that celebration piece, where we celebrate each other and every step along the way.”

Maier said that the steps the school took to improve were to rework staff and align them along the path to make this change possible, along with increasing community partnerships.

“Orange County Schools cuts our paychecks, but we work for the children that are enrolled in this school, and we guide our decision-making based on that,” Maier said. “Even if something may be inconvenient for adults, if it is what’s best for kids, I have a staff and community that will move mountains to make that happen.”

Amy McLean is the president of the Parent Teacher Student Association at New Hope with two children who attend the school. She said she always points out to her kids when they get to school early or stay late that many cars are always in the parking lot — teachers aren’t working from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., but rather around the clock. 

“I’m a former teacher as well, so I kind of look at it as a former teacher and a parent,” McLean said. “I feel like the school does such a good job meeting every child where they are.”

McLean said that New Hope is a representation of the world — a blend of cultures and students from all backgrounds, who are all being celebrated and considered. The growth is not one size fits all, so staff has to be really intentional to figure out what every child needs, she said.

“We have equity in mind weaving through every aspect of our work, as well as the importance of clearing the way for instruction and meeting all student needs so that they can learn in the most supportive environment possible,” Maier said.

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