Green Dot Students Outpace State in Student Growth and Proficiency Improvements

Green Dot’s students across Los Angeles, from Boyle Heights and Compton to Inglewood and Venice, are achieving breakthrough academic progress according to the newly-released results of state academic assessments in English and Math.

“We’re incredibly proud that our class of 2020, who took the statewide exams last spring, outpaced statewide cohort growth by 40% in English and an astounding 74% in math” said Cristina de Jesus, President and CEO of Green Dot Public Schools California. Green Dot serves students whose primary or middle school education has often left them underprepared, with our high schoolers typically arriving with a 5th grade English proficiency and a 3rd grade Math proficiency.

“Our middle schoolers have also quadrupled statewide proficiency improvements in both English and Math this year; and while there’s plenty of work left to do, this underscores how students can close achievement gaps no matter what,” continued de Jesus. “Our unwavering belief in the potential of all students is at the heart of our mission to prepare all students for college, leadership, and life.”

Furthermore, CORE Districts, a network of the nine largest school districts across California, produces student growth percentiles that show significant growth and achievement for our students. SBAC results from 2019 show impressive student growth under CORE’s student academic performance model, normed to the results of 1.3 million students statewide across nine school districts. CORE District’s Student Growth Percentiles measure student growth by comparing student performance to those of their peers on previous state assessments. SGP scores above 50 represent growth that is faster than average.

On average, our middle schoolers are growing among the fastest (70+) statewide under the CORE Index (e.g. Level 8, 9, or 10) in both English and Math–where our high schoolers are also achieving outstanding growth. In particular, Ánimo Florence-Firestone, Ánimo James B. Taylor, Ánimo Ellen Ochoa, Ánimo Legacy Charter Middle Schools, Ánimo College Prep Academy, Ánimo Jackie Robinson, Ánimo Pat Brown, and Oscar De La Hoya Ánimo Charter High Schools all achieved student growth percentiles at the top level in California’s state dashboard (80+).

“We are proud of our history of service to the communities we serve and our impact in helping transform the public education system through the hard work of our devoted educators.” said de Jesus. Green Dot Public Schools was founded in 1999, when it first received authorization from the Lennox School District to open a new high school in Lennox and now has twenty schools across Los Angeles changing the odds for students. “These results collectively reflect strong student outcomes driven by the hard work of our students and the hard work of each and every adult working in and supporting Green Dot California schools,” concluded de Jesus.