2017-2018 Annual Report

READY FOR COLLEGE. READY FOR LIFE.

lead

BOARD OF DIRECTORSCarter Paine, ChairmanKim AmesJudge Richard DinkinsDr. Earl LattimoreDr. Annette LittleJerome Oglesby

Dear LEAD Family and Friends,

The 2017-2018 school year was an exciting one for the entire LEAD family. Thank you for walking this journey with us. We could not do any of this without our incredible staff members, students, families, and generous donors who, together, are the heartbeat of LEAD Public Schools.

At the beginning of last year, we strategically reorganized our leadership teams at both the network level and at Brick Church and Neely’s Bend as part of an overall effort to bring “best in class” academic results across our network. Thanks to your efforts and leadership, those moves have clearly made a big difference for our students and our families.

At all six LEAD schools, students improved faster academically than their peers across the entire state of Tennessee. Let us repeat that: at ALL six LEAD schools, our students are now progressing faster than their peers across the state.

Five of our schools reported a TVAAS Level 5, the very highest level of growth - with Neely’s Bend now the top performing middle school in the state’s Achievement School District and in the top three percent of schools for growth statewide. This is a direct reflection of the hard work of our teachers and staff to grow students year over year and to help them catch up academically.

We also celebrated several other monumental moments for our students this past year. Here are just a few: LEAD Academy graduated its fifth-consecutive class of students who earned 100 percent acceptance to college. Additionally, five out of the 49 teachers in the city announced as 2017-2018 Blue Ribbon Award winners for teaching excellence were part of our LEAD family. And as we began the second month of the 2018-2019 school year, we announced that LEAD Cameron was named a Reward School for the second consecutive year and third time in the last five.

But how will we really know if we are truly accomplishing our mission to prepare students for college and for life? Well, we can now ask our alumni. The students of our first graduating class, LEAD Academy 2014, are now college graduates and are already making an impact as LEADers in their chosen paths.

We hope, in this report, you will have the chance to learn directly from a few of our stellar alumni about the value of their high school experience, as they begin to navigate life and college after graduation, and all that LEAD has meant to them. Their stories are ones of hope, family, support, and motivation to do and become the very best they can be.

Thanks to you, our students and alumni are creating a legacy of LEADers who are serving others with their personal and professional endeavors— from public health to biomedical research to helping those who now follow behind them by working at LEAD. They are going to change the world and we could not be more proud of them and our entire LEAD team for their preparation.

None of this could be done without you! To all of our donors, families, friends, and advocates—THANK YOU! You make these life-changing stories, and so many others like them, possible. We could not be more grateful for your work and support.

Sincerely,Dwayne Tucker CEO of LEAD Public Schools

Jimmy PattonAlex RyersonDonald B. TaylorDwayne TuckerDon Williamson

Board of Directors celebrating LEAD’s Blue Ribbon teachers.

WHO WE ARE

WHO WE SERVE*

2017-2018 LEAD SUCCESSES AT-A-GLANCE

DEMOGRAPHICS: STUDENT POPULATION

2,3642017-2018 LEAD Enrolled Students

TABLE OF CONTENTS:OUR SCHOOLS

OUR STUDENTS

OUR GRADUATES

OUR FAMILIES

OUR TEACHERS

OUR DAY

OUR SUPPORTERS

OUR FINANCIALS

WAYS TO GIVE

6-7

8-9

10-11

12-13

14-15

16-17

18

19

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MISSIONOur mission is to prepare all of our students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in college and in life.

*All demographics information as of May 2018.

OUR ETHOSI LEAD because... I am courageous.I am committed. I am disciplined.I am self-reliant. I serve others.That is who I am.

Exceptional Education

English Language Learner

44.78%

13%38.10%

15.16%

21%

1.92%0.03%

Black or African AmericanHispanic/LatinoWhiteAsianAmerican Indian or Alaska Native

Carter PaineBoard Chairman

Mr. Carter Paine, ChairmanMr. Dwayne Tucker, CEO

• OF THE 49 TEACHERS RECOGNIZED WITH BLUE RIBBON TEACHER AWARDS FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE CAME FROM LEAD.

• LEAD CAMERON WAS NAMED A STATE REWARD SCHOOL FOR THE THIRD TIME IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

• STUDENT ENROLLMENT WAS THE LARGEST IN NETWORK HISTORY.

• consecutive LEAD Academy senior classes have earned 100% acceptance to college.

• ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS DEMONSTRATED GROWTH ON PAR OR BETTER THAN THEIR PEERS ACROSS THE STATE ON 2017-2018 ASSESSMENTS.

• LEAD NEELY’S BEND WAS NO. 1 IN THE ACHIEVEMENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL ACADEMIC GROWTH.

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I LEADBECAUSE…

I am

COMMITTED

I am

DISCIPLINED

I

SERVE OTHERS

I am

SELF-RELIANT

THAT’S WHO I AM!

I am

COURAGEOUS

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LEAD Academy High School

1034 First Avenue South | Nashville, TN

(615) 327-5422

Est. 2007 | Open-enrollment high school

authorized by MNPS

leadacademy

Mr. Nic Frank, principal

WE WILL DO ‘WHATEVER IT TAKES’ TO GET 100% OF OUR STUDENTS ACCEPTED TO A 4-YEAR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY.

LEAD Brick Church

2835 Brick Church Pike | Nashville, TN

(615) 806-6317

Est. 2012 | Zoned-enrollment middle

school authorized by the ASD

LEAD Neely’s Bend

1251 Neely’s Bend Rd | Madison, TN

(615) 645-6461

Est. 2015 | Zoned-enrollment middle

school authorized by MNPS

LEAD Southeast Middle School

531 Metroplex Drive | Nashville, TN

(615) 678-0543

Est. 2013 | Open-enrollment middle school

authorized by MNPS

LEAD Southeast High School

531 Metroplex Drive | Nashville, TN

(615) 678-0543

Est. 2017 | Open-enrollment high

school authorized by MNPS

LEAD Cameron

1034 First Avenue South | Nashville, TN

(615) 806-6320

Est. 2011 | Zoned-enrollment middle

school authorized by MNPS

OUR SCHOOLS Network-wide excellence and continued growth

Dr. Katrina Frazier, principal

Dr. Tait Danhausen, principal

Ms. Emma Mac, principal

Ms. Amy Kate Wallace, principal

Dr. Kate Ring, principal

AT BRICK CHURCH, WE MAKE TEACHING AND LEARNING OUR NUMBER ONE FOCUS EVERY DAY.

WE HAVE A VISION FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING AT NEELY’S BEND. IT IS FACILITATING STUDENT-CENTERED WORK THAT IS BALANCED BY BOTH RIGOR AND LOVE AND IS SUPPORTED BY A STRONG CLASSROOM CULTURE AND HIGH EXPECTATIONS.

OUR VISION AT LSE MIDDLE IS ROOTED IN THREE PRIORITIES: KNOWING OUR DIVERSE POPULATION OF KIDS, THEIR STRENGTHS, THEIR NEEDS AND THEIR GOALS; CREATING A SAFE, JOYFUL AND PRODUCTIVE CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT; AND PLANNING WITH OUR DIVERSE LEARNERS IN MIND.

LEAD SOUTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL PROVIDES A POSITIVE AND JOYFUL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT EMPOWERS STUDENTS TO DEVELOP THE ACADEMIC AND CHARACTER SKILLS NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS IN COLLEGE AND CAREER.

CAMERON STUDENTS BUILD THEIR ACADEMIC, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SKILLS THROUGH RIGOROUS, STANDARDS-ALIGNED, AND DATA-DRIVEN INSTRUCTION, AS WELL AS A FOCUS ON THE LEAD ETHOS. CAMERON’S ENTHUSIASTIC, DEDICATED AND CARING STAFF CREATE THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WILL PUT OUR STUDENTS ON THE PATH TO COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS.

NAMED A REWARD SCHOOL THREE OUT OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS: 2018, 2017, AND 2013.

2017-2018 TOP LEVEL 5 TVAAS SCHOOL.

2018 TVAAS JUMPED FROM LEVEL 2 TO LEVEL 4.

NAMED A REWARD SCHOOL FOR GROWTH IN 2017.

2017-2018 TOP LEVEL 5 TVAAS SCHOOL.2017-2018 TOP LEVEL 5 TVAAS SCHOOL.(FASTEST GROWING SCHOOL ACADEMICALLY WITHIN THE ASD).

2017-2018 TOP LEVEL 5 TVAAS SCHOOL. (9TH GRADERS).

FIRST FIVE GRADUATING SENIOR CLASSES HAVE EARNED 100 PERCENT ACCEPTANCE TO COLLEGE.

2017-2018 TOP LEVEL 5 TVAAS SCHOOL.

Asian

29.62%

57.80%

11.31% 1.27%

Black or African AmericanHispanic/LatinoWhite

82.37%

9.83%7.8%

Black or African AmericanHispanic/LatinoWhite

22.53%

41.61%

30.77% 4.93%

Black or African AmericanHispanic/LatinoWhiteAsian

4.93%Black or African AmericanHispanic/LatinoWhiteAsian

48.31%

38.18%11.43%

2.08%

Black or African AmericanHispanic/LatinoWhiteAsian

SY17-18 BY THE NUMBERS SY17-18 BY THE NUMBERS SY17-18 BY THE NUMBERS SY17-18 BY THE NUMBERS SY17-18 BY THE NUMBERS SY17-18 BY THE NUMBERS

41.07%

43.08% 14.51%1.34%

Black or African AmericanHispanic/LatinoWhiteAsian

22.53%

30.77%41.61%

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OUR STUDENTS

RAWANNELEAD Neely’s Bend | 8th Grade

What is LEAD to you? It can be strict sometimes but you learn every day and their are fun moments in throughout the the school year.

What does “Ready for College, Ready for Life” mean to you? Being prepared in the future and what you are going to do in life. I would love to go to Belmont because we go there every year for Senior Signing Day and I feel like it will be a good school for me.

Kelvin, LEAD Cameron | 8th Grade

Androw, LEAD Academy | 12th Grade

MY FAVORITE ETHOS IS ‘I AM DISCIPLINED.’ BECAUSE WHEN YOU ARE DISCIPLINED, YOU SHOW YOU ARE DISCIPLINED. INTEGRITY IS DOING WHAT ’S RIGHT WHEN NO ONE IS LOOKING.

LEAD ACADEMY IS VERY IMPORTANT IN MY LIFE. IT HELPS ME ACHIEVE MY TARGETS AND DREAMS. THAT’S WHY I LOVE IT SO MUCH, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN STUDENTS AND TEACHERS. I BELIEVE LEAD IS THE BEST CHANCE THAT A STUDENT HAS TO ACHIEVE THEIR DREAM IN LIFE.

Juan, LEAD Academy | 11th Grade

Miriam, LEAD Academy | 10th Grade

AT LEAD, YOUR OPINIONS ARE RESPECTED AND YOU ARE ACCEPTED. THE WORD ‘IMPOSSIBLE ’ DOESN’T EXIST IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SCHOOL IS VERY IMPORTANT IN MY LIFE BECAUSE IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT NOT EVERYONE GETS. IF SOMEONE ASKED ME ABOUT OUR TEACHERS, I WOULD TELL THEM THAT LEAD IS GREAT. THEY HAVE THE MOST LOVING AND SUPPORTING PEOPLE.

GABBYLEAD Brick Church | 6th Grade

What is your favorite part about LEAD? Being a LEADer. All of our Ethos are the characteristics of a leader.

What does “Ready for College, Ready for Life” mean to you? To be ready for college and ready for life means to be ready for any challenge that comes your way so you can decide the best way to respond. I want to go Harvard because they have one of the best law schools and I want to be a lawyer.

Ready for College. Ready for Life.

VEGUERLEAD Brick Church | 7th Grade

What is your favorite part about LEAD? It’s a place that produces LEADers and successful adults.

What is your favorite Ethos and why? Courageous. When you are courageous, you have no fear.

What is LEAD to you? It’s a place where the teachers are nice and they will push you to be great.

What does “Ready for College, Ready for Life” mean to you? To be prepared for whatever comes your way in the future.

CHANDLERLEAD Academy | 12th Grade

What is your favorite part about LEAD? Anytime I have needed support from my LEAD family, they have always been there. I remember one specific time, March 2018. I, along with Adam Smith (’18), won a writing contest to speak at the March For Our Lives Youth Rally in from of 10,000-plus people in downtown Nashville. As I looked out into the crowd that day, the first faces I saw were my church members. When I looked to the left I saw two of my teachers, Emily Littleton and Alice Pieschel. I had never felt more loved and supported by LEAD than in that moment. I want to thank them for that.

What is LEAD to you? Every staff member at LEAD encourages us to have our own opinions and to never be afraid to be public with them. LEAD provides minority students with opportunities that otherwise we would have never dreamed about. As a kid, I was never sure if I would end up in college. Now I am positive that in May I will be committed to a four-year university.

JULIANALEAD Southeast | 10th Grade

What is LEAD to you? LEAD and its teachers are very committed to helping each student succeed and they can give some of the best advice.

What does Ready for College, Ready for Life mean to you? Being ready for college and life means that you have goals set for what you want to accomplish and are ready to put in the effort to reach them. It means having a plan for what you want to do and meet the requirements for whatever it may be whether it’s academics, extracurriculars, or something else. It means knowing how to make responsible decisions as an adult and finding your passion.

PAULALEAD Cameron | 5th Grade

What is your favorite Ethos and why? My favorite Ethos are Committed, Disciplined and Serving Others because I like to do those things in school.

What is LEAD to you? Here at Cameron, we have the best teachers and the mountain crews [when students gather with their teachers to build positive relationships] are the best! School is important to me in my life because every day we always learn something new.

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BRIANNA MURPHYLEAD Academy, 2015

Now: Pursuing a degree in Business Administration from Nashville State, and working part time

How did LEAD’s culture help you get to where you are today?LEAD challenged us and stretched us. LEAD prepared us to face the

challenges of adulthood and college and reminded us to never give up. We learned to be proactive — not reactive — and take

responsibility for our actions.

Who are a few teachers who had a lasting influence on you? My teacher relationships at LEAD have meant so much to me. Mrs. Keshia

Ray Thompson gave me hard but good advice when I really needed to hear it. Ms. LaVoe Mulgrew— she’s the wind beneath my wings. She stayed on top of us and taught us to look for solutions, not problems. Even after I graduated, I had the support of LEAD faculty. I called Ms. Courtney McEwen every day

the first semester of college— and she answered!

What does LEAD mean to you?LEAD is a fire under me. They keep me moving forward and never give up on me. I was the first student to sign up at LEAD. They’ve watched me grow up

to where I am now, and even today, they keep up with me and check in on me.

What are your goals for the future?Come back to serve at LEAD— maybe in a student or family support role. I want to be someone the students can talk to about what’s going on in their

lives because I’ve been there and I get it.

TYREE WILLIAMSLEAD Academy, 2014 | Fisk University, Physics, 2018

Now: Pursuing PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

How did LEAD’s culture help you get to where you are today?LEAD’s expectations for their students are high— but necessary.

The workload and teacher attention helped me prepare for college. LEAD believed in me, stretched me and helped me develop confidence

that I can do anything I put my mind to.

If you had one story to share about LEAD, what would it be?My experience on the debate team— specifically my second debate. All week leading up to tournament, our debate coach Mr. Fuller was encouraging me,

“You’re going to win.” And I did. It’s my favorite memory because not only did I believe in myself— but I had someone else believe in me, even more than me. That definitely transformed my experience and progressed me as a person.

What does LEAD mean to you?LEAD means hope. I never thought I would be where I am today. And my

younger sister, who is a junior at LEAD, is taking on things I never imagined for either of us. She is participating in internships and taking on a leadership role for

the school yearbook. I can only believe LEAD made the difference.

What are your goals for the future?If you had told me ten years ago I would be in a doctoral program, I would’ve said you’re crazy! After completing my PhD, I plan to attend optometry school. I hope to one day develop a prosthetic eye, have my own lab and do my own research.

CARLOS CHACONLEAD Academy, 2016

Now: Working as IT specialist at Computer Pros and pursuing a degree in IT

computing from Trevecca University

Did you always plan to go to college? What changed?Before LEAD, I never thought about college. I was just trying to get through high school. Once I started at LEAD, they told us if you work hard you will not only get into college,

you can get scholarships to pay for it. I am the first one in my family to go to a four-year college.

My younger siblings came to visit campus and now they want to go to college!

How did you choose your college and program?LEAD took us to tour and learn the differences

between large, public universities and small, private colleges. They taught us how to apply and what schools are looking for. And they helped us find

scholarships we qualify for, and that’s how I was able to get one to attend Trevecca.

How did LEAD prepare you for college and life?LEAD taught me that when you get to college, no one is going to tell you to get up and go to

class or do your homework. But this life is normal for me now— I have been practicing it for four

years at LEAD. In a lot of ways, they are preparing us not just for college, but for a job.

What are your goals for the future?My goal is to graduate Trevecca in 2020 and I’d like

to go back to get a masters degree in IT— something I never thought I would do. But when I went to LEAD, they told me anything is possible when you work hard.

JIAH TOMSLEAD Academy, 2014

Fisk University, Spanish, 2018

Now: Getting her Masters in Public Health at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Who are a few teachers who had a lasting impact on you?During spring break, Ms. Palacio took me and six other students to Puerto Rico and we had the opportunity to be immersed in the language and culture. Mr. Cavanaugh

pushed me to really understand the material in biology and chemistry. By doing well in

those classes, I was able to excel in my Spanish and science classes in college

and get where I am today.

What does LEAD mean to you?Family! Everytime I walked through the

door, teachers and staff greeted us. We were welcomed into a professional,

warm and supportive environment. LEAD gave its students family-like support and

helped us build the confidence we needed to take on life.

What are your goals for the future?LEAD instilled in me a passion for serving

others. This has really driven who I am today. My dream is to work in a government

agency or organization and help implement community-driven health programs,

focusing on underrepresented populations and racial disparities.

SIMBA WOODWARDLEAD Academy, 2014 | Southern Illinois University,

Journalism and Sociology, 2018

Now: First Alumni hired full time at LEAD, serving as Educational Assistant at LEAD Academy

Did you always plan to go to college? What changed?LEAD’s college visits inspired me to go to college. We spent time on campus and stayed in the dorms. For

many in our class, we had only seen college on TV, but LEAD made it real for us. LEAD helped expand my

horizons and see what was possible for me. I became the first person in my family to go to college and graduate.

How did LEAD’s culture help you get where you are today?Serving others is a huge part of LEAD’s culture.

We were expected to do community service and give back to our community. Creating good habits is

another part of LEAD’s culture. We had to learn to be a responsible adult: a leader. I have taken this with me

throughout my post-high-school life.

What does LEAD mean to you? Family. During the 2010 flood in Nashville, my family lost

everything. My LEAD teachers helped collect clothing and food for my entire family. They even took me and

my four siblings to go shopping for new swimsuits so we could swim and spend time with them at their house.

What are your goals for the future?I hope to always be a part of LEAD— in some way.

My goal is to be an active community leader, focused on reaching the population LEAD serves. Often

these kids come into an education system that has failed them so many times. But I want to show them it can be different. LEAD can help you build yourself

up to do amazing things.

OUR GRADUATES Living Our Mission

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OUR FAMILIES

JACOB FOLLOWED HIS BROTHER TYLER (NOW A FRESHMAN AT TREVECCA) TO LEAD ACADEMY. I SAW HOW WELL LEAD WORKED FOR TYLER; I KNEW IT WAS THE RIGHT PLACE FOR JACOB, TOO. HE LEARNS ALONGSIDE KIDS FROM ALL DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND THAT IS WHAT PREPARES YOU FOR LIFE IN THE REAL WORLD.

Amanda Gomez, LEAD Academy ParentWHEN I FIRST VISITED THE CAMPUS THREE YEARS AGO WITH MY DAUGHTER, ALL THE STAFF MEMBERS WERE SO FRIENDLY. I REMEMBER BEING THANKFUL THAT THEY TRANSLATED ALL THE MATERIALS FOR US AS NEW FAMILIES. IT MADE ME FEEL WELCOMED.

Veronica Cruz, LEAD Neely’s Bend Parent

LEAD PREPARES EVERY STUDENT FOR COLLEGE. THEY CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THE LEARNING FOR EVERY STUDENT. TECHNOLOGY GOES HAND IN HAND WITH LEARNING AND THE STUDENTS ARE PREPARED EMOTIONALLY, PSYCHOLOGICALLY AND ACADEMICALLY IN EVERY SENSE.

Golding Calix, LEAD Southeast Middle Parent

BEING ‘READY FOR COLLEGE AND READY FOR LIFE’ MEANS MASTERING EACH LEAD ETHOS AND BEING ABLE TO PERFORM IN ALL AREAS OF YOUR SCHOOL SUBJECTS. KNOWING RIGHT FROM WRONG; KNOWING YOUR MORALS; KNOWING THE MANNERS AND VALUES OF BEING A DECENT PERSON. BEING READY FOR COLLEGE AND READY FOR LIFE MEANS THE ABILITY TO EARN A LIVING AND TO LIVE A SECURE LIFE.

Deviza Scott, LEAD Cameron ParentTHEY KNOW ALL OF THE PARENTS AND I FEEL SUPPORTED. THEY TALK ABOUT COLLEGE A LOT. MY YOUNGEST SON JUST HAD A COLLEGE TOUR. MY OLDEST SON JUST GRADUATED COLLEGE. WE TALK ABOUT SCHOOL ALL THE TIME AT HOME AND LEAD COMMUNICATES WITH US. ANYTIME WE NEED THEM, THEY ARE ALWAYS THERE FOR US.

Connie Carter, LEAD Brick Church Parent

IT’S NOT JUST, ‘I’M YOUR TEACHER,’ OR ‘I’M YOUR PRINCIPAL.’ IT’S VERY MUCH, ‘I’M BECOMING A PART OF YOUR LIFE. I’M BECOMING A PART OF YOUR FAMILY.’

Flor Lopez, LEAD Neely’s Bend Parent

Partners in Lifelong Learning

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OUR TEACHERS

ALICE PIESCHEL LEAD Academy (Third year) | College: BA in Spanish and Education with minor in Latin American Studies from Millsaps College in Jackson, MS

When I think of LEAD, I think of family, unity and joy. We are diverse, passionate and excited, and we’re always there for each other. To be “Ready for College” and “Ready for Life” means that you have the necessary skills to reach your full potential and take advantage of all the opportunities that come your way. I love all my students and want to support them in any way I can.

AMBEHR MORROW LEAD Brick Church (Second year) | College: BA in K-6 Elementary Education from the University of Northern Alabama

I love to get emails and calls from parents, even when they have a question about homework. These types of actions show our families are invested in their child’s education. I LOVE LEAD BRICK CHURCH! This staff is my family. We build great relationships with one another and with our scholars.

BRIDGETT ORGAIN LEAD Neely’s Bend (Fourth year) | College: BFA in Studio Art from Austin Peay State University; MAT in Art Education from the University of South Carolina

Every person who works at this school -- staff, administrators and teachers -- is dedicated to the shared purpose of teaching our scholars. Not only do we want to teach them the academic content, but we want to teach them to be good people. We really care about the whole child.

BRIAN HOLLER LEAD Southeast Middle (Tenth year)

College: Georgia State University, B.A. in History; Belmont University, M.A. in Teaching (Reading)

When I think of LEAD, I think of a group of dedicated people, from students to parents to educators and administrators all striving to make education and the lives of individuals to be the best they can be.

I think of the lives that are forever changed in a positive way.

From left to right: Katelyn Ippensen (LEAD Southeast), Samantha Levy (LEAD Southeast), Hannah Knox (LEAD Southeast), Kirsten Lindquist (LEAD Cameron), Sarah Best (LEAD Academy) and 2014 winner Melissa Martens (LEAD Academy).

IN THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR…

When [my students] leave this building, they should have the option to pursue their dreams. They should not be judged on where they come from, how they learned growing up, or what their parents have done. I want leaving LEAD to truly be the first step of the rest of their lives.

– Andrew Doerner, LEAD Academy (Fourth year)

LEAD is a diverse, engaged, supportive, and symbiotic community. Through my lens of exceptional education, “Ready for College, Ready for Life” means practicing and generalizing the skills here at school that they will need to achieve what they want for their future, whether that’s continued education, a vocation, or just beginning to navigate the community and care for themselves.

– Elizabeth Depta, LSE Middle (Third year)

Going Above and Beyond

• LEAD HAD 10% OF THE BLUE RIBBON TEACHERS NAMED IN DAVIDSON COUNTY, OR FIVE OUT OF 49.

• THE PROGRAM RECOGNIZES TOP TEACHING TALENT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

• IT IS SPONSORED BY METROPOLITAN NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THE NASHVILLE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION AND NASHVILLE’S AGENDA STEERING COMMITTEE.

• MELISSA MARTENS (ABOVE RIGHT) WAS LEAD’S FIRST-EVER BLUE RIBBON TEACHER IN 2016.

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LEAD Senior Jakiya Kendrick (‘18), bound for Mount Saint Mary’s University, spoke for her class and shared the significance of Senior Signing Day.

“In today’s society, odds seem to be constantly pinned against us, making us believe that we can’t succeed in this world,” she said. “I believe that these odds, this discrimination, makes us feel like being born a minority is a curse. And that no matter how hard you try that’s all we’ll ever be. But if there’s one thing LEAD Academy has taught me is that we are not cursed. We are powerful and we can succeed. No matter what.”

Moments earlier Kendrick’s fellow seniors in the LEAD Academy Class of 2018 had walked into Belmont University’s Curb Event Center to the sounds of 2,400-plus cheering students, friends and family members. It was their turn to take part in LEAD’s traditional Senior Signing Day inside the Curb Event Center.

Each student had the opportunity to declare for the first time their next step in their educational journey.

For the fifth consecutive year, a LEAD Academy senior class earned 100 percent college acceptance. This Signing Day also held special significance as students had a chance to hear from a member of LEAD’s first college graduating class Temiloluwa Thomas (’14) who graduated from MTSU just a week prior.

Temi provided insight from the other side — and encouraged students and graduates to persevere through challenges and finish what they have started.

“To every other student here today, please keep pushing,” she said. “Keep trying. Keep doing. Take your opportunities seriously because one day, and it’s sooner than you think, you, too, will be celebrated at Senior Signing Day.”

OUR DAY

LEAD SENIOR SIGNING DAY AT-A-GLANCE:• LEAD has hosted Senior Signing Day as a culminating network event each spring to celebrate the accomplishments of every LEAD Academy senior class.

• This will be the fourth straight year Senior Signing Day will be held at Belmont.

PLEASE JOIN US AT OUR NEXTSENIOR SIGNING DAY: MAY 16, 2019.

Senior Signing Day 2018

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2017-2018 DONORS

Mr. & Mrs. John Abernathy IIIAdvance Financial Kim AmesJamie Anderson& Karen Anderson-Isabel

Patricia Asp Bagwell Document Solutions, Inc.The Berry Family Eddie BirchfieldWilliam & Katie BraddyThe Broad Center for theManagement of School Systems

Mark & Suzanne BuchananRawls & Daphne Butler Charter School Growth Fund Computer-ProsCooper FamilyCharitable Foundation, Inc.

Everett & Katheryne Cowan The Crichton GroupBen & Linda Davis Bill DeLoacheJudge Richard DinkinsJoe Dixon Jr.Dollar General Literacy Foundation

Tim DouglasJohn & Missy Eason Jr. James & Emily FlauttGerard & Susan GeraghtyGranville GrantElizabeth Heimburger Wearen & Bitsy HughesGrant JacksonJeremy & Tracy KaneEric KeenFrank Krueger Earl LattimoreLMBC W SquaredAnnette Little

Chuck Locke Chad & Renee MartinSteve & Susan MasieSteve MaxwellKeith Morris Paul Davis Murfree Nashville Rotary Service Trust NaviHealthJerome OglesbyMike Parks Carter & Kristin PaineGeorge & Ophelia Paine Tom Parrish James Patton Jr.

Laura PerkinsArt & Linda RebrovickProject RenaissanceTim ReynoldsAmy RichardsRogers GroupThe Roros FoundationStan Ruta Alex RyersonBasit & Selma SaeedScarlett Family FoundationTerry ShireyEddie SloanJames W. Spradley, Jr.

Thomas & Katie Steele Mr. & Mrs. Donald B. TaylorMarlowe & Marilyn Taylor Dwayne & Carmen Tucker US Bank Foundation Alex & Adrienne UsetedMimi WallaceMichael WalshMr. & Mrs. Don WilliamsonBlair Wilson Tammy Wolcott

INCOME STATEMENT

IncomeFederal and State Funding $27,637,905 | 98%Grants and Fundraising $644,450 | 2%

Total $28,282,355 | 100%

Expense

School Program $18,314,805 | 67% Transportation $3,080,805 | 11% Facilities $2,418,464 | 9% Administration & Fundraising $3,629,720 | 13%

Total $27,443,794 | 100%EBITDA $838,561

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Assets Current Assets $5,937,114 Property & Equipment $8,069,657

Total $14,006,771

Liabilities Current Liabilities $1,490,901 Long Term Liabilities $6,104,929 Net Assets $6,410,941

Total $14,006,771

OUR FINANCIALS WHY

GIVING MATTERSOur goal is to work with our partners to do whatever

it takes to make sure all students in Nashville have access to a high-quality education. From our

youngest fifth grader to our graduates pursing college and careers, the transformative power of

a LEAD Public Schools education is evident.

Our partnership with Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools and the Achievement School District

enables LEAD to provide students and families opportunities and needed support to excel.

Your gift is an investment, which will continue to grow in value over time, as students become

confident, productive members of society.

You may make a gift of cash, or by check, securities or credit card to LEAD. If your place of employment matches charitable contributions, you may be able

to double or even triple the value of your gift. Forms are available through the employer’s human

resources department. If interested in making a Credit Card Gift or Pledge online, please visit:

https://leadpublicschools.kindful.com/.

Checks should be made payable to LEAD Public Schools and sent to:

LEAD Public Schools

2835 Brick Church Pike

Nashville, Tennessee 37207

For more information about ways to support LEAD Public Schools, please contact our

Director of Development, Kathleen Chandler, at (615) 209-1218 or via email at

kathleen.chandler@leadpublicschools.org.

lead

YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT, WHETHER IT BE IN THE FORM OF MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS BIG OR SMALL, VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES OR OTHER WAYS, DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED. TO ALL OF OUR LEAD SUPPORTERS: WE CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR NETWORK MISSION OF PROVIDING THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NECESSARY FOR OUR STUDENTS TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE AND IN LIFE. FROM ALL OF US AT LEAD, THANK YOU!

JOIN US AT OUR ANNUAL COLLEGE BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER THE MORNING OF WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2019 AT THE J.W. MARRIOTT!18 19

615-815-1264 www.leadpublicschools.org info@leadpublicschools.org

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