ECU Community School exceeds expected academic growth
The ECU Community School exceeded expected growth and met 100% of its target participation goals and long-term goals in reading and math, according to the 2023-24 N.C. Department of Public Instruction performance data. (Photo by Kristen Martin)
The East Carolina University Community School had several reasons to celebrate with the release of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI) school performance data. This year marks the first in the school’s history that it exceeded growth expectations.
“Seeing that exceed for the first time makes my heart very happy because the staff members and the students put in a tremendous amount of work, but it’s also our families stepping up to the plate and helping us and the university at large,” said Tracy Cole, ECU Community School principal.
Of just over 2,500 schools awarded performance scores by NC DPI, only 28% exceeded overall school growth. The ECU Community School opened in August 2017 as part of an initiative created by the UNC System to open laboratory schools across the state as training sites for future teachers and administrators. UNC System laboratory schools are designed to work with children who are either academically at-risk or zoned to attend a low-performing school.
“We are incredibly proud of the ECU Community School for exceeding growth expectations,” said Dr. André Green, dean of the College of Education (COE). “This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the teachers, the staff, the students and their parents. The collaborative efforts within the school and with Pitt County Schools have not only fostered academic success, but also reflect the true spirit of our mission in the College of Education — to serve and uplift our community through innovation and partnership.”
The school also exceeded growth in mathematics, which Cole attributes to new initiatives launched by COE faculty in mathematics education. Associate professor in mathematics education Carrie Lee dedicated more than 20 hours a week to engage with the school’s math curriculum.
“She talked with teachers about best practices in mathematics,” Cole said. “She provided professional development sessions for us, where we looked at North Carolina’s math standards to make sure, for example, in second grade, here are the things that should be taught and how, and this is what they learned in first grade before they got to you, and what they will learn in third grade.”
After these sessions, Lee and school staff concluded that an updated math curriculum was needed, so she worked with two companies to set up information sessions with school staff. This year, the new curriculum will be implemented with math education faculty providing professional development for Community School teachers on how to best implement the new materials in their classes.
In addition to the enhanced math initiatives, the school continued the work implemented over the last few years in reading and literacy, which led to the school meeting growth for reading.
The ECU Community School, a K-5 that serves children who are either academically at-risk or zoned to attend a low-performing school, has seen achievement rates grow steadily over the last seven years from a 6.8% achievement rate and a performance grade of F to an achievement rate of 61.9% in 2023-2024 and a performance score of C. The school was also recognized with an Exceeding Growth status.
“The work of our education faculty is vital to the continued success of the Community School,” Green said. “Their expertise plays a key role in fostering a culture of care and academic excellence within the school. By collaborating closely with the school’s teachers and staff, they ensure our students receive the support and resources they need to thrive. Our goal is to see improvement every year, and together we are working hard to take the school to the next level in both academic performance and community impact.”
The school’s overall performance grade also rose eight points from last year’s score, putting it only seven points away from earning a B, a continuation of the school’s growth over the last several years. During the 2021-22 academic year, the school increased its proficiency score from an F rating to a D, and increased it again during the 2022-23 academic year to a C.
“I’m thankful to the families for allowing us to work with and serve their children. I’m thankful to the entire faculty and staff at the Community School,” Cole said. “I’m thankful to ECU for continuing to pour into us and believe in us and help to meet us at our point of need, and our community organizations. We can’t do the work we do without all those stakeholders.”
Faculty from the College of Education, as well as other university and community partners, will continue working at the school this year. Cole noted that she begins working with various community organizations in the spring and early summer to plan initiatives, such as ECU Staff Senate’s annual school drive, the Pitt County Bookmobile and a local church’s Bookbag Buddies program.
“When the teachers returned, we talked about getting in contact with families early on,” she said. “For open house night, 88% of our families attended, which is a great turnout. We’re making plans for curriculum night where families will be able to take a deep dive into what’s happening in the respective grade levels. Those are ways we reach out and talk with families to make sure they have an awareness of what’s going on. When we have the families on board and the community on board, great things happen.”