Francis C. Hammond School Choice Letter

							August 14, 2009

Dear Hammond Middle School Family:

Welcome to a new year at the Hammond Middle School Campus (FH1, FH2, and FH3). Preliminary estimates of the spring
2009 Standards of Learning (SOL) results show that FH1, FH2, and FH3 have met state accreditation benchmarks and are
fully accredited this year! Also, for the first time, the schools have made AYP in both English and math!

Schools in Virginia have two accountability systems. The state uses SOL tests to determine accreditation, and the federal
government uses the same tests to assign AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) status. Accreditation is based on combined pass
rates for all students in four subject areas. AYP is based on pass rates for seven different subgroups in two subject areas:
English/reading and math. Because there are different requirements, it is possible for a school to be fully accredited and not
make AYP. More information on these two accountability systems is available on the Virginia Department of Education web
site at www.doe.virginia.gov/ under School Report Cards.

The No Child Left Behind regulations require the AYP pass rates to be raised each year. By 2014, 100 percent of students in
each subgroup will be required to pass the SOLs in order for a school to make AYP. Attached is a fact sheet that compares
the preliminary AYP performance of all Alexandria City Public Schools.

These early AYP performance estimates also indicate that FH1, FH2, and FH3 met all of the 2009-10 AYP English/reading
and math benchmarks. Based upon these preliminary results and results from the previous year, all three schools are placed
in year one of School Improvement for the next school term (2009-10). Schools must make AYP for two consecutive years to
exit school improvement.

Because FH1, FH2, and FH3 will be in Title I School Improvement during the 2009-10 school year, eligible students will be
offered free tutoring (Supplemental Educational Services, or SES). SES is being offered in lieu of public school choice for
two reasons. First, the school division has requested that these schools participate in a pilot program that allows them to
provide SES in lieu of public school choice. A decision from the federal government is expected this month. Second, none
of our neighboring school divisions have space for ACPS students. Parents of all eligible FH1, FH2, and FH3 students will
be mailed an SES Application. First priority for SES will be given to the lowest-achieving and most disadvantaged students.

I urge you to assist the school division and your middle school in our efforts to improve student achievement by attending
curriculum nights and parent involvement activities. Beginning this year, the middle schools will proceed with plans to apply
to the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program at the conclusion of the 2010-11 school year. All three schools will
be receiving Title I school improvement funds to implement strategies to enhance student performance. Also, these schools
will be participating in VDOE school improvement training and activities. At a PTA meeting in September or October, each
principal will provide parents with an overview of these and other major undertakings that will take place during the 2009-10
school term to increase student achievement.

If you would like further information about middle school efforts to improve student achievement, last year’s FH School
Improvement Plan is available on the school’s web site at www.acps.k12.va.us/hammond/.

If you have any questions about SES or Title I School Improvement, please contact either Mary Alice Bassa
(mbassa@acps.k12.va.us or 703-824-6679) or myself (jgrymes@acps.k12.va.us or 703-824-6679).

Sincerely,


John A. Grymes, Ed.D.
Title I Director
                            Preliminary AYP Summary Fact Sheet: 2006-07 – 2009-10 (created: 08/12/09)

   2009-10 Title I schools : John Adams, Patrick Henry, Jefferson-Houston, Cora Kelly, Mount Vernon, Ramsay, Samuel Tucker, Hammond
   1, Hammond 2, Hammond 3, George Washington 1, and George Washington 2.

   2009-10 Title I schools preliminarily in School Improvement: Jefferson-Houston, Cora Kelly, Mount Vernon, Patrick Henry, Ramsay,
   Hammond 1, Hammond 2, Hammond 3, George Washington 1, and George Washington 2.

                              Preliminary AYP Summary Fact Sheet: 2006-07 – 2009-10 (created: 08/12/09)
                                                                                    Preliminary                Preliminary 2009-10
                           2006-2007          2007-2008          2008-2009
   School/Division                                                                 2009-2010 AYP                    Sanction(s)
                          AYP Results        AYP Results        AYP Results
                                                                                       Results
                                                                                  Did not make
                                           Did not make
John Adams              Made AYP                               Made AYP           AYP in English       None
                                           AYP in English
                                                                                  and Math
Charles Barrett         Made AYP           Made AYP            Made AYP           Made AYP             None
                                                               Did not make
                                           Did not make
Patrick Henry           Made AYP                               AYP in English     Made AYP             SES Pilot
                                           AYP in English
                                                               and Math
                                           Did not make                           Did not make         Public School Choice, SES, decrease
Jefferson- Houston      Made AYP           AYP in English      Made AYP           AYP in English       authority of school-level management,
                                           and Math                               and Math             and plan for alternative governance
                                                                                  Did not make
                        Did not make       Did not make
Cora Kelly                                                     Made AYP           AYP in English       Public School Choice and SES
                        AYP in English     AYP in English
                                                                                  and Math
Lyles-Crouch            Made AYP           Made AYP            Made AYP           Made AYP             None
Douglas                                                                           Did not make
                        Made AYP           Made AYP            Made AYP                                None
MacArthur                                                                         AYP in Math
George Mason            Made AYP           Made AYP            Made AYP           Made AYP             None
                                           Did not make
Maury                   Made AYP                               Made AYP           Made AYP             None
                                           AYP in English
                                                               Did not make
                                           Did not make                           Did not make
Mount Vernon            Made AYP                               AYP in English                          SES Pilot
                                           AYP in English                         AYP in Math
                                                               and Math
James K. Polk           Made AYP           Made AYP            Made AYP           Made AYP             None
                                                               Did not make       Did not make
William Ramsay          Made AYP           Made AYP            AYP in English     AYP in English       SES Pilot
                                                               and Math           and Math
Samuel Tucker           Made AYP           Made AYP            Made AYP           Made AYP             None
                        Did not make       Did not make        Did not make
Hammond 1               AYP in English     AYP in English      AYP in English     Made AYP             SES Pilot
                        and Math           and Math            and Math
                        Did not make       Did not make        Did not make
Hammond 2               AYP in English     AYP in English      AYP in English     Made AYP             SES Pilot
                        and Math           and Math            and Math
                        Did not make       Did not make        Did not make
Hammond 3               AYP in English     AYP in English      AYP in English     Made AYP             SES Pilot
                        and Math           and Math            and Math
                        Did not make                           Did not make
                                           Did not make
George Washington 1     AYP in English                         AYP in English     Made AYP             SES Pilot
                                           AYP in English
                        and Math                               and Math
                        Did not make                           Did not make
                                           Did not make
George Washington 2     AYP in English                         AYP in English     Made AYP             SES Pilot
                                           AYP in English
                        and Math                               and Math
                        Did not make       Did not make        Did not make       Did not make
TC Williams             AYP in English     AYP in English      AYP in English     AYP in English       Additional Corrective Action
                        and Math           and Math            and Math           and Math
                        Did not make       Did not make        Did not make       Did not make
School Division         AYP in English     AYP in English      AYP in English     AYP in English       None
                        and math           and Math            and Math           and Math

   For additional information on Title I or AYP please contact Cheryl Ross Audley, Mary Alice Bassa, or John Grymes at (703) 824-6679.