It has been an honor and a pleasure serving as Headmaster and C.E.O. for The Dekalb Academy of Technology and Environment Charter School, Inc. (D. A.T. E.). As we set out to accomplish our vision of becoming one of the top charter schools in Georgia and the Nation, I marvel at the progress D.A.T.E. has made since its inception.

Dekalb Academy of Technology and Environment is also proud to be regionally recognized as a green school, focusing on preserving our community environment, heavily concentrating on conservation and recycling efforts. Our efforts have included starting the Bio Fuel Recycling Project, where the academy has partnered with the community and businesses to ensure that cooking substances of oil and grease are cautiously recycled and reproduced to form other by products. Our students are also looking forward to inventing our own brand of a byproduct!

In addition, I am elated to embrace a wonderful group of parents who are committed and steadfast in supporting the school, its mission, and the vision. The abundance of talented and skillful parents continues to contribute to D.A.T.E.’s unlimited success. The financial support and effortless volunteerism continue to mobilize the entire student body.

Dekalb Academy of Technology and Environment, Inc. has continued to strive for improvements to meet our goal of 100% of students meeting and exceeding standards. The data will reveal that there have been significant gains in students meeting and exceeding standards on the Georgia Criterion Referenced Test (GCRT). For example, in reading, 98% of first grade students met and exceeded standards, 98% of second graders met and exceeded standards, 93% of third graders met and exceeded standards, and 91% of fourth graders met and exceeded standards. While 96% of fifth graders met and exceeded reading standards, 98% of sixth graders met and exceeded standards, 87% of seventh graders met and exceeded standards, and 100% percent of our students in eighth grade met standards. In total, 95% of all students met and exceeded standards in reading at Dekalb Academy of Technology and Environment, Inc.

In math, there were also improvements made with 95% of first grade students who met and exceeded standards, 100% of second graders who met and exceeded standards, 79% of third graders who met and exceeded standards, 68% of fourth who met and exceeded standards, 86% of fifth graders who met and exceeded standards, 66% of sixth graders who met and exceeded math standards, 92% of seventh graders who met and exceeded standards and 100 % of eighth graders who met and exceeded math standards.

The percentages of students exceeding standards have increased as well. For first grade 44% of students are exceeding in reading, 31% in English and 31 % in math. Second grade is highlighted with 82% of students exceeding in reading, 43% in English, and 62% exceeding in math. Third grade can boast 31% of students exceeding standards in reading, 29% in English, and 36% in math. Fourth grade has 35% of its students exceeding standards in reading and English while fifth grade has 38% of its students exceeding in English. With 38% of its students exceeding standards in Reading, the sixth grades have made significant improvements. In addition, our seventh grade team has exceeding standards in math and English by 28%. Our leadership class of eighth grade has also exceeded standards with 39% of students exceeding standards in reading and 43% of students exceeding standards in English. Overall, most of the classes showed gains of students exceeding standards starting at 10% gains to 30% gains points. As a result of the GCRCT testing, Dekalb Academy of Technology and Environment, Inc. learning community has proudly met AYP status for five consecutive years and has made significant gain scores in all academic performance areas.

For the academic school year 2008-2009, there were also many gains in meeting and exceeding standards on the GCRCT. For starters, the academy has reached local and statewide recognition for its academic success. With our eight grade class ranking number one in the state in GCRCT  reading test results and number 9 in  GCRCT math test results, it is no wonder why Dekalb Academy ensures that students are exceeding the academic challenges  and successes of learning., learning with relationships, relevance, and rigor!

Sincerely,

Dr. Maury Wills, Headmaster and C.E.O.