School Accountability Report Card for School Year 2007-08

Published During 2008-09

 

Santa Monica Boulevard Community Charter School

Address: 

1022 N. Van Ness Avenue, Los Angeles, CA  90038-3252 

Phone: 

323-469-0971  

Directors: 

Vahe Markarian, Linda Lee 

Grade Span: 

K - 5

 

 

The data presented in this report are reported for the 2007-08 school year, except the School Finances and

School Completion data that are reported for the 2006-07 school year.

 

 

About This School 

 

 

The mission of Santa Monica Blvd. Community Charter School is to provide a quality education for all students, to create a learning community that involves families and that values lifelong learning and professionalism among the school staff, and to give children the skills, the self-confidence, and the conceptual knowledge needed to be successful in school and beyond.

We believe in nurturing the development of the whole child, the family, and the community.  SMBCCS views its role as a critical change agent in closing the “achievement gap” for our students.  Our mission is focused on closing this gap in a manner that not only addresses the academic achievement that is typically measured by standardized testing, but that also addresses development of successful character traits and broader content knowledge that are not normally measured.  The teachers, administrators, staff, and parents at Santa Monica Boulevard Community Charter School are committed to this mission.

We have 3 main foci for expected schoolwide learning results.  These are standards for what SMBCCS students will achieve beyond subject content standards.

SMBCCS students are critical thinkers who…

·   Apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information

·   Apply acquired skills to solve complex problems

·   Identify objectives, create a plan, and self-monitor progress toward a desired goal

·   Demonstrate regularly the skills of reflection and self-evaluation

·   Demonstrate critical thinking using technology as a vehicle

Previously, education addressed the needs of the “Industrial Age”—which was characterized by teaching and learning prescribed sets of facts, and gathering the necessary information to be productive in adulthood.  Currently, in the “Information Age,” facts, figures, and information of all types are readily available.  Today’s educated person needs to discern what information is needed for a given situation, critically analyze the information, and determine how to use it.  SMBCCS students are challenged to utilize higher-order thinking skills through collaborative projects, hands-on tasks, and real-life problem situations. 

SMBCCS students are confident and respectful citizens who…

·   Demonstrate confidence and respectful interactions

·   Contribute to the improvement of the quality of life in school and the community

·   Apply collaborative problem-solving skills in academic and social situations

Our mission is focused in a manner that not only addresses the students’ academic achievement, but also addresses the development of successful character traits.  SMBCCS students learn the necessary skills to become positive and productive citizens.  They demonstrate this through self-advocacy, understanding of diversity, and engagement with the community.

SMBCCS students and families are connected to and supported by the community who…

·   Participate in activities that support the development of the whole child

·   Participate in programs that assist children and families

·   Share in connections and services provided through local businesses and community partners

SMBCCS students are at the heart of our extended community.  At SMBCCS, parent connection to the school is essential. This connection between school and families strengthens the instructional program and increases the opportunity for student success.

We converted to independent charter school status in 2002.  We are currently in our second 5-year cycle of our charter, and we serve over 1050 students from Preschool through 5th grade.

 

 

 

 

School Facilities 

Summary of Most Recent Site Inspection 

 

The school site was inspected by t.r. porter, assigned Coordinator of the LAUSD Charter Schools Division, on September 6, 2007.  Out of seventy inspection items, only three items were noted to be revisited: 1. One of seventeen fire extinguishers was inoperative; 2. One restroom was not clean; & 3. The Health Department’s certificate for the cafeteria was on file but not posted.

Repairs Needed 

The facility is in great shape and has no specifically identified repairs that must be performed.  The three items cited in the site inspection have all been addressed.

Corrective Actions Taken or Planned 

The site inspection reported cited three items to be corrected.  Corrections made as follows: 1) The non-operative fire extinguisher was replaced with a new fire extinguisher; 2) The restrooms now have a cleanup cycle throughout the day, with custodian sign-in; & 3) The Health Department’s certificate is now posted in the cafeteria, as well as a copy kept in the records.

 

 

Student Performance 

 

 

 

 

Subject 

Students Proficient and Above on California Standards Tests 

English-Language Arts 

32%

Mathematics 

42%

Science 

26%

 

Academic Progress 

 

Indicator 

Result 

2008 Growth API Score (from 2008 Growth API Report) 

704  

Statewide Rank (from 2007 Base API Report) 

2  

2008-09 Program Improvement Status (PI Year) 

Not in PI  

 

 

 

 

2007-08 School Accountability Report Card Report (SARC)

 

The School Accountability Report Card (SARC), which is required by law to be published annually, contains information about the condition and performance of each California public school. More information about SARC requirements is available at the SARC Web site. For additional information about the school, parents and community members should contact the school principal or the district office.

 

I. Data and Access - DataQuest 

DataQuest is an online data tool that contains additional information about this school and comparisons of the school to the district, the county, and the state. Specifically, DataQuest is a dynamic system that provides reports for accountability (e.g. Academic Performance Index [API], Adequate Yearly Progress [AYP]), test data, enrollment, graduates, dropouts, course enrollments, staffing, and data regarding English learners.  

 

Internet Access 

Internet access is available at public libraries and other locations that are publicly accessible (e.g., the California State Library). Access to the Internet at libraries and public locations is generally provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Other use restrictions include the hours of operation, the length of time that a workstation may be used (depending on availability), the types of software programs available on a workstation, and the ability to print documents.  

 

II. About This School 

Contact Information (School Year 2008-09) 

This section provides the school’s contact information. 

 

School 

District 

School Name 

Santa Monica Boulevard Community Charter School  

District Name 

SMBCCS  

Street 

1022 N. Van Ness Avenue 

Phone Number 

323-469-0971  

City, State, Zip 

Los Angeles, CA  90038-3252 

Web Site 

www.smbccs.net 

Phone Number 

323-469-0971  

Superintendent 

N/A

Directors 

Vahe Markarian, Linda Lee

E-mail Address 

amarka1@lausd.net 

E-mail Address 

amarka1@lausd.net 

CDS Code

19-64733-6019079 

 

School Vision Statement (School Year 2007-08) 

 

 

Our Vision Statement:

 

Santa Monica Boulevard Community Charter School is a community of learners where each adult and every child is continuously engaged in the process of learning.  We apply constructivist practices that promote metacognition, higher order thinking, and problem solving.  Instruction is collaborative, differentiated, data-driven, and interdisciplinary.

 

Santa Monica Boulevard Community Charter School strives to be the heart of our extended community by promoting reciprocal relationships that address the need and well-being of the whole child.

 

Opportunities for Parental Involvement (School Year 2007-08) 

 

This section provides information about opportunities for parents to become involved with school activities.  

 

 

The school encourages parent involvement on a high level.  SMBCCS purchased a property adjacent to the school and has converted the building into a parent center, named The Garcetti-LaBonge Center, after Los Angeles City Council members and SMBCCS supporters Eric Garcetti and Tom LaBonge.  The Center provides parents classes in ESL Levels I, II, & III, Health, Citizenship, GED, and Technology.  The school also holds monthly meetings with parents to discuss student, parent, and school needs.  The school also has a parent committee which is represented on the school’s governing board, the highest decision-making body at the school.  Parents represent one-third of the membership of the governing board.

 

Parents also help design and implement the parent education courses, help organize community activities, recruit volunteers, support the Parent Center, help organize community fairs, participate in Back to School Night, and participate in school Open House.

 

 

Student Enrollment by Grade Level (School Year 2007-08) 

This table displays the number of students enrolled in each grade level at the school. 

 

Grade Level 

Number of Students 

Kindergarten 

138 

Grade 1 

147 

Grade 2 

131 

Grade 3 

166 

Grade 4 

177 

Grade 5 

206 

Total Enrollment 

965 

 

Student Enrollment by Group (School Year 2007-08) 

This table displays the percent of students enrolled at the school who are identified as being in a particular group. 

 

Group 

Percent of Total Enrollment 

African American 

1.66 %

American Indian or Alaska Native 

0.52 %

Asian 

0.62 %

Filipino 

2.49 %

Hispanic or Latino 

89.95 %

Pacific Islander 

  0 %

White (not Hispanic) 

4.66 %

Multiple or No Response 

0.1 %

Socioeconomically Disadvantaged 

100 %

English Learners 

75 %

Students with Disabilities 

9 %

 

Average Class Size and Class Size Distribution (Elementary) 

This table displays by grade level the average class size and the number of classrooms that fall into each size category (a range of total students per classroom). 

 

Grade Level 

2005-06 

2006-07 

2007-08 

Avg. Class Size 

Number of Classrooms 

Avg. Class Size 

Number of Classrooms 

Avg. Class Size 

Number of Classrooms 

1-20 

21-32 

33+ 

1-20 

21-32 

33+ 

1-20 

21-32 

33+ 

K 

19.1 

6 

 

 

19.9 

6 

2 

 

20.0 

4 

1 

 

1 

19.0 

8 

 

 

20.1 

7 

1 

 

18.9 

6 

 

2 

20.2 

7 

 

 

18.6 

7 

1 

 

19.8 

3 

2 

 

K-1-2

     

       20.2

5

     1

3 

20.3 

9 

2 

 

19.8 

7 

4 

 

20.3 

4 

2 

 

4 

31.2 

 

6 

 

29.7 

 

6 

 

28.3 

 

4 

 

5 

26.7 

 

7 

 

29.6 

2 

 

5 

29.7 

5 

 

3-4-5 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20.2 

1

6 

 

 

 

III. School Climate 

School Safety Plan (School Year 2007-08) 

This section provides information about the school's comprehensive safety plan. 

 

 

Staff members at Santa Monica Boulevard Community Charter School have received training in emergency situations (Earthquake, Fire, Lockdown, and Drop/Take Cover), as specified under the California Government Code, Chapter 8, Section 3100—including a comprehensive approach to accident prevention during any of these situations.
 
Santa Monica Boulevard Community Charter School prepares pupils in the above-mentioned emergency situations by simulating these emergency situations in a frequent manner.  All staff members have received a descriptive list of signals/bells that will be heard in each different emergency situation. In addition, all staff members possess an emergency packet consisting of:  their class roster, a school map, staff responsibilities, school emergency operations, emergency signals and procedures, as well as signs that must be posted before evacuating their classrooms and a drill or emergency status report that can be used in any of the above-mentioned emergency situations.
 
SMBCCS has developed a system of Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support that focuses on positively teaching behavioral expectations as opposed to random, negative punishment.  SWPBS clearly communicates to students the expectations for each common area in the school, as well as the rewards and consequences for following or not following these expectations.  The expectations are clear, fair, and positively written, and were created in collaboration with staff, students, and parents to provide a sense of ownership with all stakeholders.  Proper behavior is constantly and consistently modeled and reinforced by staff, administrators, parents, and fellow students (verbal praise, “Caught Being Good” cards, etc.).  Any consequences focus on positive re-teaching through a student’s strengths rather than negative, punitive steps that may focus on a student’s shortcomings. 

 

SMBCCS makes continual effort to involve parents/guardian in their child’s education by informing them about discipline policies, procedures, and rules, as well as communicating with parents concerning their children’s behavior—both desirable and undesirable.  The Home Visits Committee consists of staff members who contact and visit parents regarding positive behavior and/or student work.  Parents are also urged to participate in school programs (e.g. Governance Council and Parent Center activities) and preparedness/crisis response during emergency simulations.  School correspondence to parents also details resources—including free services— available in the community.

 

Suspensions and Expulsions 

This table displays the rate of suspensions and expulsions (the total number of incidents divided by the total enrollment) at the school and district levels for the most recent three-year period. 

 

Rate 

School 

Los Angeles Unified

2005-06 

2006-07 

2007-08 

2005-06 

2006-07 

2007-08 

Suspensions 

  2.5%

3.4%  

   2.1%

7.0%  

8.2% 

7.2%  

Expulsions 

 0

 0

  0

0.0  

0.0  

0.0  

 

IV. School Facilities 

Facility Conditions and Planned Improvements (School Year 2008-09) 

This section provides information about the condition of the school’s grounds, buildings, and restrooms, and a description of any planned or recently completed facility improvements. 

 

 

The school facility is in great condition overall.  The school will be renovating the school library through a grant awarded to the school through The Wonder of Reading program.  The project is expected to take two months and will be completed by the end of March 2009.

 

The school will be renovating two student restrooms beginning in April 2009 to be completed by the end of May 2009.  These restrooms are in a portable building which is over 35 years old, and although some upgrades have been done in the past, the condition of the facility requires a major renovation.  The project will replace the floor boards and all flooring in the two restrooms; the walls will be tiled, all sinks will be replaced, faucets will be replaced with smart faucets, all toilets and urinals will be replaced and manual mechanisms will be replaced with smart mechanisms, the ceiling tiles will be replaced, and the stall walls will be replaced.

 

 

School Facility Good Repair Status (School Year 2008-09) 

This table displays the results of the most recently completed school site inspection to determine the school facility’s good repair status. 

 

Item Inspected 

Repair Status 

Repair Needed and Action Taken or Planned 

Good 

Fair 

Poor 

Gas Leaks 

X

Mechanical Systems 

X

Windows/Doors/Gates (interior and exterior) 

       X

Two doors to be replaced March 2009

Interior Surfaces (walls, floors, and ceilings) 

X

Hazardous Materials (interior and exterior) 

X

Structural Damage 

X

Fire Safety 

X

Electrical (interior and exterior) 

X

Pest/Vermin Infestation 

X

Roach problems continue.  LAUSD Pest Management has been notified, traps have been set, and checked periodically

Drinking Fountains (inside and outside) 

X

All drinking fountains have new water filters installed to clean lead and rust

Restrooms 

X

All restrooms were upgraded to smart restrooms in 2007 (except as noted in Section IV above, which will be completed in May 2009

Sewer 

X

Playground/School Grounds 

X

Roofs 

X

Overall Cleanliness 

X

 

Overall Summary of School Facility Good Repair Status (School Year 2008-09) 

This table displays the overall summary of the results of the most recently completed school site inspection. 

 

Item Inspected 

Facility Condition 

Exemplary 

Good 

Fair 

Poor 

Overall Summary 

The 2008-2009 inspection has not yet been completed;

however, the 2007-2008 Overall Summary was “Good”

 

V. Teachers 

Teacher Credentials 

This table displays the number of teachers assigned to the school with a full credential, without a full credential, and those teaching outside of their subject area of competence. Detailed information about teacher qualifications can be found at the DataQuest Web site. 

 

Teachers 

School 

LAUSD 

2005-06 

2006-07 

2007-08 

2007-08 

With Full Credential 

52 

47