• Category 1

    Selected in 2020

  • Grades: 1 - 8
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 68,000
    Student Enrollment: 399
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 2%
    White/Caucasian: 6%
    Hispanic: 86%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 6%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:15
    % Reduced Lunch: 56%
    % ELL Learners: 20%
    Founded: 2017
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Christopher Albiez
  • CONTACT:
    1600 Kerrigan Avenue
    Union City, NJ 07087
    551-655-2743
    calbiez@ucbue.us
Sara M. Gilmore Academy
Union City, NJ
Describe specific programs in place to ensure that families are involved in the success of your school and students.
Parents work very closely with teachers at Sara Gilmore Academy. There is consistent communication between parents, administration, and teachers. Our support services team calls every parent in our school on a bi-monthly basis for wellness check ups and to see if parents are having any issues or difficulties on the virtual platform so that we can assist them. We hold teacher lead parent workshops on a monthly basis. We have excellent attendance for these parent workshops. We create opportunities for parents and children to engage in family time by setting up events for both to attend. The PTO is a selfless group of parents that care about our children.
Administration and teachers have created an environment where parents feel they have a voice in the education of their children.
Describe your philosophy of school change or improvement.
I believe that all children can be successful, regardless of backgrounds, needs, and financial status.

I feel that we need to educate the whole child—academically, social, emotionally, and morally in a safe, nurturing environment.

It is important to celebrate diversity—diversity of thought, cultures, ethnicities, and races.

I never underestimate the importance of being kind. Kind to staff, students, and parents. It makes a world of difference during the school day and kindness is contagious. Kindness makes change and transition a little easier for all parties involved.
What are your school’s top two goals for the next year?
My students have been in an all virtual academic setting since March.

Goal 1 would be to make sure that I am able to support my students socially and emotionally now and during the transition back to in-person learning. Many of my students have been deeply affected by the current Covid-19 crisis and I need to make sure that the needs of my students and their families are being met.

Goal 2 would be to gauge student progress during this time so that I can accurately address what may have been lost academically as a result of going all virtual. Teachers, administration, staff, and students have done a wonderful job, however, there is no substitute for face to face instruction.
Describe the program or initiative that has had the greatest positive effect on student achievement, including closing achievement or opportunity gaps, if applicable.
When I become principal, I wanted to increase rigor in math. Our math scores were high, but I felt it was important to show that we were taking math very seriously as the United States lags behind other developed countries in math. I began an initiative that made us look at math and math instruction critically. We developed strategies such as peer tutoring and an after-school program that gave students extra assistance in math. We made sure to implement an after-school program that was fun and exciting for our students, keeping them engaged. We also created Family Math Nights and Parent Luncheons that allowed teachers to demonstrate to parents various strategies that would assist their children in the subject of math. Across all grade levels from 3 through 8, math scores increased dramatically on the NJSLA- some grades levels even jumping by double digits. Not only that, but ELA NJSLA scores also went up as a result of an overall increase in rigor.
Describe how data is used to improve student achievement and inform decision making.
Data is extremely important whether we as educators want to admit it. That is why it is so important to create a culture of data analysis within one's school. Data tells a story. It tells us where we were, where we are now, and what direction we should be going in the future. Data helps see where our strengths and weakness are in the field of education. It is important to celebrate our strengths and also for us to get professional development where we see weakness in the data. It also allows us to see where changes need to be made.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2020

  • Grades: 1 - 8
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 68,000
    Student Enrollment: 399
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 2%
    White/Caucasian: 6%
    Hispanic: 86%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 6%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:15
    % Reduced Lunch: 56%
    % ELL Learners: 20%
    Founded: 2017
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Christopher Albiez
  • CONTACT:
    1600 Kerrigan Avenue
    Union City, NJ 07087
    551-655-2743
    calbiez@ucbue.us