A Path Forward: 2025 - 2026 School Improvement Plan
Together, We R.I.S.E. to S.O.A.R: PISOTA's 2025-2026 School Improvement Journey
Dear PISOTA Community,
As we embark on the 2025-2026 school year, we are excited to share our comprehensive School Improvement Plan—a strategic roadmap designed to elevate academic excellence while staying true to our founding vision of arts-integrated education. This plan represents more than goals on paper; it is our commitment to ensuring every student at Phoenix International School of the Arts receives the exceptional education they deserve.
Our Current Reality: Honest Assessment, Bold Vision
In Year 3 of our five-year charter, we face important challenges head-on. Currently, 53% of our students in English Language Arts and 95% in Mathematics are performing below state proficiency levels on the MCAP assessment. While these numbers demand our urgent attention, they also reveal tremendous opportunity for growth and transformation.
Under the leadership of Dr. Jasmine C. Bateman, Principal, and Mr. Bryan L. Hill, Assistant Principal, our new administrative team has developed a focused, transparent plan rooted in our core values: Reflect, Innovate, Serve, and Excellence (RISE).
Two Powerful Plans Working in Harmony
Our School Improvement Plan operates alongside the leadership team's 90-Day Acceleration Plan (August-October 2025), creating an integrated approach to transformation. These complementary strategies ensure immediate stabilization while building long-term systems for success.
The 90-Day Acceleration Plan: Building Our Foundation
The first 90 days of school year 2025-2026 will focus on rapid stabilization and relationship-building across five critical areas:
Weeks 1-2: Listen and Learn
Conducting exit interviews to understand why families left
Comprehensive data audit to identify instructional gaps
Onboarding new staff with clear expectations
Weeks 3-4: Launch and Connect
Professional development on standards-aligned instruction
Enrollment campaign to rebuild community trust
RISE "Back-to-School Open House" to reset family partnerships
Weeks 5-6: Observe and Support
Weekly instructional walkthroughs using Cambridge-aligned look-fors
Launching targeted student support systems
Beginning bi-weekly data meetings to drive instruction
Weeks 7-8: Engage and Empower
Parent surveys and feedback roundtables
Launching Parent Ambassador Program
Monthly "RISE Roundtables" for ongoing collaboration
Weeks 9-10: Celebrate and Reflect
Cambridge + Arts Exhibition of Learning showcasing student growth
Impact review of first 90 days
Adjusting strategies based on early results
Success Indicators for the First 90 Days:
Consistent enrollment growth of 10%
80% classroom alignment with standards-based instruction
Measurable increase in staff and student morale
At least 2 major community engagement events
Our SMART Goals for 2025-2026
English Language Arts Goal
By May 2026, the percentage of students performing at or above proficiency on the ELA MCAP will increase from 47% to 51%. This 4-percentage-point growth will be achieved through consistent, standards-aligned instruction supported by targeted professional development, collaborative planning, and regular monitoring of student progress.
Mathematics Goal
By May 2026, the percentage of students performing at or above proficiency on the Math MCAP will increase from 5% to 9%. This critical 4-percentage-point improvement will be accomplished through strengthened delivery of standards-aligned math instruction, data-driven planning, and regular use of formative assessments to guide instructional adjustments.
How We'll Get There: Cycle 1 Change Practice
Professional Learning Focus: Unpacking Standards
Our first improvement cycle centers on ensuring every teacher deeply understands what students must know and be able to do in each subject to master their respective standards. Teachers will participate in structured professional learning focused on:
Task analysis of content standards
Utilizing curriculum resources to design lessons meeting all students' needs
Defining what mastery looks like for each standard
Creating rigorous, standards-aligned lesson plans
What You'll See in Classrooms
As we implement these practices, families should expect to see:
For Educators:
Clearly posted learning goals, standards, and success criteria
Lesson plans aligned with grade-level expectations
Strategic use of note-taking strategies (Cornell Notes, graphic organizers)
Assessments that incorporate writing to build rigor
Regular data analysis to inform instruction
For Students:
Student-led instruction with high engagement
Ability to articulate learning goals and success criteria
Active participation in standards-aligned tasks
Mastery of writing through scaffolded practice
Use of sentence frames, transition words, and evidence-based writing
Engagement in peer editing and revision processes
The Power of Arts Integration
True to our mission, we are not abandoning the arts—we are leveraging them as powerful tools for academic achievement. Through our Cambridge International Curriculum combined with arts integration, students will:
Use visual models to understand complex math concepts
Employ tableau and dramatic techniques to deepen English comprehension
Create soundscapes to explore historical events
Present cross-curricular projects that demonstrate both academic mastery and artistic expression
Rebuilding Trust and Community
We recognize that enrollment inconsistency and diminished family engagement have impacted our school. The 90-Day Plan directly addresses this through:
RISE Roundtables where families provide feedback and collaborate on solutions
Family Ambassador Program empowering families to support recruitment and retention
Community partnerships in arts and mentorship that expand opportunities for students
Regular communication about student progress and school initiatives
Based on initial survey feedback from 22 families in December 2024, we are committed to improving communication frequency, strengthening parent engagement opportunities, and creating more transparent pathways for family involvement.
Our Long-Term Vision: Beyond 2025-2026
This School Improvement Plan represents Year 1 of a three-year trajectory:
Year 1 (2025-2026): 80% or greater scholar and family satisfaction; 80% retention
Year 2 (2026-2027): 85% or greater scholar and family satisfaction; 85% retention
Year 3 (2027-2028): 90% or greater scholar and family satisfaction; 90% retention
By 2026-2027, we aim to have 90% of scholars and families agreeing that PISOTA meets their academic, emotional, and artistic needs—a testament to our commitment to holistic education.
Two Key Focus Areas: Consistency and Accountability
Throughout this improvement journey, everything we do will be guided by:
Consistency - Predictable systems, clear expectations, and reliable follow-through in all aspects of school operations
Accountability - Transparent measurement of progress, honest assessment of challenges, and shared responsibility for student success
How You Can Support This Work
Families:
Attend monthly PTSO meetings and RISE Roundtables and provide honest feedback and engage in our family data dives
Participate in the Family Ambassador Program
Ensure students attend school regularly and complete assignments
Communicate openly with teachers about your child's needs
Celebrate student growth at our Exhibition of Learning events
Community Partners and Funders:
Support our arts integration initiatives through partnerships or resources
Provide mentorship opportunities for our students
Attend community engagement events to see our progress firsthand
Spread the word about PISOTA's transformation and enrollment opportunities
Measuring Our Progress
We are committed to transparent accountability. Throughout the year, we will share:
Quarterly progress reports on academic goals
Results from family and staff satisfaction surveys
Attendance and retention data
Highlights from classroom walkthroughs and student work
Impact data from our professional development initiatives
A Commitment to Transformation
This School Improvement Plan is more than a document—it is our promise to the families who have entrusted us with their children's education. It acknowledges where we are, sets ambitious but achievable goals for where we're going, and provides a clear roadmap for how we'll get there.
By grounding ourselves in the RISE values, embracing collaboration, and centering students in every decision, we will reclaim PISOTA's vision as a model of creativity, excellence, and equity.
Together, we will R.I.S.E. to S.O.A.R:
Serve Others
Open Opportunities for Success
Accomplish Academic Greatness
Reach Our Fullest Potential
We invite you to join us on this journey. With your partnership and support, we will create the school our students deserve—one where every scholar is seen, inspired, and equipped to thrive in a diverse, dynamic, and creative world.
For questions about the School Improvement Plan or to get involved, please contact:
Dr. Jasmine C. Bateman, Principal
Mr. Bryan L. Hill, Assistant Principal
Phoenix International School of the Arts
5980 Radio Station Road, La Plata, MD 20646
301-932-6610
Core Values:
REFLECT - We take time to regularly examine our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
INNOVATE - We cultivate a spirit of curiosity, creativity, and innovation.
SERVE - We do whatever it takes in service of our mission.
with EXCELLENCE - We aim for high-quality and exemplary attention to detail in everything we do.
