Kingston+Hill+Academy+Description

 ** Kingston Hill Academy **
 * Katie Delaney **

The Kingston Hill Academy is a high-achieving public charter school. Although it lacks diversity, the Kingston Hill Academy is highly accredited school with a mission to provide students with the opportunity for an inclusive, individualized, and challenging curriculum that supports them to reach their full potential. Both students and teachers recognize that the students academically thrive. The school provides great teachers, accommodation for individual needs, safety, and proper funding for all students.
 * Introduction **

The Kingston Hill Academy, located at 850 Stony Fort Road in Saunderstown, RI, is a charter school composed of 180 students ranging from Kindergarten to fifth grade. Admission is fairly chosen through a lottery system each fall. Siblings of enrolled students are exempt from the lottery and are automatically admitted into Kingston Hill Academy. It is almost evenly composed gender-wise with a boy to girl percentage ratio of 41.5:56.1 (2.4% chose not to disclose this information). Kingston Hill Academy is not very diverse in ethnicity. 94.7% of the students are white, 2.6% are black, 2.6% are Native American/Pacific Islander, and 5.3% are more than one race. This accurately reflects the statewide ethnicity rates: 81.4% white, 5.7% black, 0.1Native American/ Pacific Islander, and 3.3% more than one race.
 * School Demographics and Geological Location **

The grades the students attained were high above proficiency. In Mathematics, students from third-fifth grade scored 20-30% higher than the state-wide proficiency; 10-20% higher in Reading; 40% higher in Science; and 25% higher in Writing. This may be due to the use of technology in the school day. 100% of Kingston Hill Academy students have and use computers in class. Statewide, only 70.5% of students have and use computers in their classrooms. The high achievement may also be a result of the student’s engagement in the curriculum and desire to learn as a result of teaching styles. In the SurveyWorks survey, students at the Kingston Hill Academy and students statewide were asked if their teachers made learning fun and if their teachers made them want to learn. At the Kingston Hill Academy, 46.3% said their teachers always make learning fun, 26.8% said mostly, 22% said sometimes, and only 4.9% said never. Statewide, 40% of students said teachers always make learning fun, 29.7% said mostly, and 24.2% said sometimes, and only 6.1% said never. When asked if their teachers made them want to learn more, there were very positive both at Kingston Hill Academy and statewide. At Kingston Hill Academy, 53.7% said always, 22% said mostly, 19.5% said sometimes, and only 4.9% said never. Statewide, 52.6% said always, 22.5% said mostly, 19% said sometimes, and only 5.9% said never. This energetic curriculum pays off. The Kingston Hill Academy had nine target areas evaluated in the yearly report card, all of which were met. Although the students of Kingston Hill Academy are only elementary school students, they already have goals set. 93% plan on going to high school and 77.5% want to attend college. This correctly reflects the goals of students statewide, where 86% plan on going to high school and 81% want to attend college.
 * Student Achievement **
 * Teaching **

Kingston Hill Academy, as well as Rhode Island itself, has highly qualified teachers. Surprisingly though, 6% at the Kingston Hill Academy are not highly qualified and only 3% of teachers statewide are not highly qualified. When students were asked about their teachers and their efficiency in class, there was positive feedback both at Kingston Hill Academy and statewide. Students assured that teachers were giving them direction, manageable classwork and homework, intellectually challenging work, explanation, opportunities, and a friendly and clean classroom space. This type of environment is crucial for success in school. Support at home is a priority in the success of a student. If there is now encouragement from parents for their child to do well, the child will lose all motivation to succeed. Thankfully, at the Kingston Hill Academy and in Rhode Island schools, parents seem to be very supportive. Students responded that their parents are eager to know what their child is doing in school (92.3% at Kingston Hill Academy, and 94.8% statewide). Also, 100% of Kingston Hill students and 99.5% of Rhode Island students said that their parents want them to get good grades. Parents also seem to talk about their future with their children. 85% of Kingston Hill Academy parents talk to their child about jobs they may want in the future, 86.5% of Rhode Island parents do as well. 87.5% of Kingston Hill parents and 86.5% of Rhode Island parents talk to their children about going to college one day. Kingston Hill Academy is a very safe and supportive school. They have a 96% attendance rate, which directly reflects the statewide rate of 95%. Chronic absenteeism and suspension incidents are not a problem at Kingston Hill Academy. There is a 4% chronic absenteeism rate at Kingston Hill (18% statewide). Suspension incidents are nonexistent at Kingston Hill; they have zero incidents compared to the statewide incidents reports in elementary schools, 2914. Kingston Hill Academy is a stable environment. They have a 91% stability rate, and only a 9% mobility rate; statewide, 87% and 14%, respectively.
 * Family, Community, and Home Life **
 * Safe and Supportive Schools **

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking, surprisingly affects some elementary students in Rhode Island; however, not at Kingston Hill Academy. Illegal drug use and presence is nonexistent at Kingston Hill Academy, and minimal in Rhode Island statewide. 0% of students at Kingston Hill Academy and 0.9% of students statewide have taken or have been offered illegal drugs. Smoking is also minimal at Kingston Hill Academy and Rhode Island. When students were asked if they have ever smoked a cigarette, even one or two puffs, only 1 student (2.5%) from Kingston Hill Academy and 438 students (2.4%) from Rhode Island said yes. When asked if they have ever had alcohol without a parent’s permission, only 1 student (2.5%) from Kingston Hill Academy and 728 students (4%) of Rhode Island students said yes. Drugs and alcohol should not have to be a concern for young elementary students; unfortunately, in today’s society young children have bad influences surrounding them. Fortunately, though, Kingston Hill Academy is a safe, clean environment for its students.

Bullying has always been an issue in elementary schools across America. Just like all schools, some bullying occurs at Kingston Hill Academy. 44.7% of students said they have been called names, 47.4% said that fellow peers have done mean things to them, and 26.5% of students said that kids on the bus have done mean things to them. These figures are surprisingly higher that the rates in Rhode Island itself- 42.6%, 35.3%, and 18.5%, respectively. However, when students were asked if they feel safe at their schools, both Kingston Hill Academy and Rhode Island itself had positive results; 97.5% of Kingston Hill students said yes; and 91.5% of Rhode Island Students said yes.

Thankfully, though, Kingston Hill Academy is full of nurturing student-teacher relationships. Almost 100% of Kingston Hill Students reported that their teachers care about them, like teaching them, and are nice to them. These types of relationships between students and teachers are vital in the success of students. If students feel like they cannot turn to their teachers in a time of need, then students may feel alone and vulnerable, thus causing stress that will affect their schoolwork. Kingston Hill Academy is very well funded; however students receive $3000 less than other students in the South Kingstown school district ($13,700). This allows for proper facilities and materials for students. Students report that they have enough books for everyone in the class, they have adequate sized desks, and a nice-looking school. All of these qualities are important in a school. They give students a place to be proud to go to and to learn.
 * Funding and Resources **

** Conclusion ** Kingston Hill Academy is an extraordinary school. It has stellar academic achievement; highly qualified and caring teachers; a nurturing and safe community; and adequate funding. Based on surveys, students seem to enjoy attending Kingston Hill Academy. They have developed relationships with their teachers and seem to always re-enroll year after year. Overall, Kingston Hill is an excellent school that plans on expanding to 180 students. Based on its “track record” it will certainly succeed.

Rhode Island Department of Education. “InfoWorks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting - RIDE.ri.gov.” //Infoworks Live//. 2011. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. "WELCOME TO KINGSTON HILL ACADEMY." //WELCOME TO KINGSTON HILL ACADEMY//. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2012. < [] >.