Client: Memphis Street Academy Charter School
Industry: Education
The Organization
Memphis Street Academy, part of American Paradigm Schools, is a non-profit education management organization that supports and serves four North and Northeast Philadelphia charter schools. The mission of American Paradigm Schools is to develop, manage, and support diverse school communities grounded in literacy to produce academic excellence and expand opportunities for all students. Their vision is world-class schools in diverse communities.
Problem
Memphis Street Academy faced significant challenges in fostering a learning culture that drives student success, including
- Student Attendance: Student attendance was a critical concern with frequent absenteeism serving as a barrier to academic progress. Low attendance not only disrupted the learning environment but also led to inconsistent instructional delivery, which affected student academic performance. Research consistently shows that attendance is a key predictor of academic success, and its decline often signals deeper challenges within the school environment.
- High Suspension Rates: High suspension rates at Memphis Street Academy created a cycle of disengagement and behavioral issues, with students who were suspended often falling further behind academically. This exclusionary discipline model led to increased distrust and weakened relationships between students and staff. The lack of a supportive framework for addressing behavioral issues further exacerbated the problem, creating an adversarial atmosphere that hindered the ability to develop a cohesive, positive school culture.
- Stagnate Academic Growth: Despite school’s educators and administrators’ efforts, student academic performance rated below expectations. Many students demonstrated minimal academic growth, indicating a learning environment lacking the cohesion necessary for meaningful educational progress.
- Behavioral Disruptions: Behavioral classroom disruptions further strained instructional time because teachers were spending a disproportionate amount of time addressing disciplinary issues instead of focusing on meeting students’ academic needs. The absence of an integrated approach to behavior management and academic instruction contributed to this stagnation and resulting behavioral disruptions.
Solution
To address this, leaders enlisted Grid International, a leading organization specializing in organizational culture transformation, to implement a comprehensive school improvement initiative with follow-through management.
Grid International is renowned for its expertise in shaping organizational culture and supporting institutions with processes that foster a culture of excellence. The partnership focused on addressing the systemic challenges impeding student success. The primary objectives were to
- Establish a positive school culture
- Enhance student engagement
- Improve overall academic performance.
Grid International’s intervention was grounded in a deep understanding of organizational culture and its power to implement systemic changes in educational settings. Their approach is predicated on providing leaders with the tools to assess, evaluate, and enhance their organizational culture in ways that foster an environment of excellence.
Following the assessments, Grid International worked closely with the administration to implement a change management framework to reshape the school’s culture into one that prioritized inclusivity, collaboration, and academic excellence.
Responsibilities
Results
As a result of Grid’s work The Philadelphia Inquirer (the third-longest continuously operating daily newspaper in the United States) published an article identifying Memphis Street Academy as one of the top five most improved schools in the region.
The results of Grid International’s involvement at Memphis Street Academy were transformative. The intervention led to significant improvements across several key metrics, particularly in the areas of attendance, behavioral outcomes, and academic achievement.
- Improved Attendance: Following the cultural transformation, student attendance showed notable improvement. Average Daily Attendance improved from 84% to 91% in four years. Students expressed a greater sense of connection to the school community, and the positive, inclusive school climate contributed to a higher level of motivation to attend school regularly.
- Decreased Suspension Rates: The implementation of a school-wide behavior plan in place of traditional punitive discipline led to a dramatic reduction in suspension rates. Before the work with Grid International 856 students were suspended. Two years later Memphis Street Academy saw a 78.9% percent decrease with 180 total students being suspended. Students who exhibited behavioral challenges were provided with the opportunity to address the underlying causes of their behavior through dialogue and conflict resolution, rather than being excluded from school. This approach not only kept students engaged in their learning but also helped build stronger, more supportive relationships between students and faculty.
- Significant Academic Growth: The positive cultural changes translated into significant academic improvements. As the school environment grew more conducive to learning, students demonstrated increased engagement and enthusiasm for their education. Test scores and overall academic performance improved, with students showing higher levels of growth and achievement. As a result, Memphis Street Academy was identified as the leader of the middle school peer group. The school was given a School Progress Report score of 16, compared to surrounding middle schools earning respective scores of 11, 9, and 5.
Grid International’s intervention at Memphis Street Academy proves the impact that organizational culture can have on results. By focusing on trust, inclusivity, and positive behavioral practices, Grid International facilitated the creation of a supportive school culture that directly contributed to improved student attendance, reduced suspension rates, and enhanced academic achievement. This case exemplifies the importance of a sound learning culture as a critical component of educational success and highlights the transformative potential of culture in addressing the systemic challenges of educational institutions.
