98% of families agree BART teachers are caring, skilled & supportive.

Facts and Figures

Our Successes!
Our students have demonstrated that hard work pays off.  Here are some of their recent accomplishments:

  • In 2011, BART received national recognition from the US DOE-funded New Leaders for New Schools’ EPIC program for the academic growth of our students – only 18 charter schools (out of more than 5,000 nationwide) received this distinction.
  • While only 20% of BART graduates have a parent who graduated from college, 100% of all BART graduates have passed at least one college course and have been accepted into college before graduating from high school.
  • BART was ranked in the top 5% of schools in Massachusetts for raising student achievement in English and the top 6% for raising student achievement in math based on the Spring 2011 MCAS exams. 
  • BART was the only school in Berkshire County identified as a “high growth” school for both English and math in each of the last three years.
  • In 2011, BART had a greater percentage of students who earned “Proficient” or “Advanced” on the state MCAS exams than our two major sending districts in every tested subject – English, math and science.

Family Satisfaction
BART families know what it takes to achieve these successes. In a survey completed in the spring of 2011:

  • 100% of families agreed that BART teachers care about their children.
  • 98% of families agreed BART teachers have established high expectations for their child, and support their child in meeting those expectations.
  • 97% of families were very or mostly satisfied with their child’s progress over the course of the year at BART.

Dissemination and Collaboration

Throughout the year, BART participated in a variety of dissemination efforts, including:

  • Collaboration with local district principals to share best practices:  In the 2010-2011 school year, the school’s principal, Ben Klompus, continued his membership with the local Principal’s Network, a group that meets monthly to strengthen principal development through a research based, peer led, professional learning community.  During these meetings, Principal Klompus has had the opportunity to share BART’s practices around teacher supervision and evaluation, data-driven instruction and student advisory.  Individual visits to BART by local principals have resulted from conversations at the group meetings.  In January of 2011, Principal Klompus led a study tour of BART with 10 principals who observed classrooms; all involved walked away with concrete strategies to improve their schools.
  • Berkshire Compact for Higher Education:  Executive Director Bowen participates with the compact, an affiliation of Berkshire County educational, business and political leaders working to expand college access and aspirations so that all Berkshire County students can attain a k-16 education.  Bowen serves on the Aspirations Sub-Committee and was asked to present BART’s activities to promote college aspirations.  The school’s College and Internship Counselor, Barbara Robertson, serves on the Workforce Development Committee.
  • Massachusetts Title 1 Dissemination Conference: Principal Klompus presented a workshop on using data to inform instruction and Executive Director Julia Bowen presented a case study of BART’s turnaround story.  Following the presentations, a number of district school professionals contacted the school to gather specific information about particular practices.
  • Principal Klompus has also guest-lectured in classes at MCLA and Williams discussing the role of data in instructional planning and the creation of powerful learning environments.
  • Principal Klompus was a keynote speaker at this June’s Datawise conference at Harvard University, sharing BART’s experience in using the Data Wise framework to drive significant student gains.
  • In 2011, BART was recognized for its breakthrough student achievement gains by New Leaders for New Schools’ EPIC (Effective Practice Incentive Community) program.  As part of this recognition, BART has agreed to contribute to EPIC’s best practice knowledge database.  Additionally, three of BART’s teachers were identified as “Spotlight Teachers” – and their practices will be highlighted, as well.
  • MCPSA and MCCPSE:  The school’s executive director continues to serve on the boards of both the MCPSA and MCCPSE, two organizations that support the collaboration and dissemination of best practices of charter schools across the state.  While the MCCPSE will cease business operations in the summer of 2011, the executive director will continue to serve on the board of the MCPSA.