North Hills Preparatory

1. North Hills Preparatory NHP Founders/Parents/Uplift Working Group

2. NHP Founders/Parents/Uplift Working Group • Charge to the Committee: • Zip Code Preference • Economic Diversity • Communications • The NHP Parent/Founder/Uplift Committee Members: • Methodology Committee Robert Bass (Parent - Middle and Upper) Peggy Yard (Founder, Parent - Middle) Chris Richey (Parent - Middle and Upper) Sangeetha Asokan (Parent - Primary) Linda Webb-Manon (New Parent - Middle) Shawn Stover, Managing Director – Uplift Ann Stevenson, COO – Uplift Michael Giles – Uplift Board Shadab Shahabuddin – Irving Board (Parent) • Committee invested approximately 100 hours researching, analyzing and discussing topics • TEA • North Hills charter documentation • The North Hill School/Lift/Uplift Corporation information • Demographic data – Cities of Irving, Carrollton and Coppell • Neighboring ISD information – Irving, Carrollton and Coppell • NHP historical enrollment data • NHP Demographic data

3. Economically Disadvantaged at NHP by ISD • Proposed Zip Code preference • Economically Disadvantaged Enrollment Proposed Zip Code Preference Analysis • Zip code preference will not positively impact economically disadvantaged enrollment based on the data analysis performed by the committee • It may have an adverse impact; excluding current sources of economic diversity • We recommend that no changes to the admission policy at NHP; we support the policy that allows for open, equal and fair opportunity for all applicants • The committee discussed and voted 54% of NHP ED students reside in Irving 46% of NHP ED students reside outside of Irving • 151 students; 10.1%, economically disadvantaged. • 54% of the ED reside in Irving • 46% reside in other cities.

4. Original North Hills School Mission • The North Hills School will prepare students to be future global leaders through: • A rigorous, disciplined core CURRICULUM • A safe, nurturing ENVIROMENT with strong parental involvement • A unique PARTNERSHIP among, school, local corporations and surrounding neighborhoods • The original mission of the North Hills School and the non-profit corporation it formed did not expressly make serving economically disadvantaged students as an objective or goal. Original Mission

5. Economic Diversity and proposed Zip Code preference at NHP • Over the 16 year history, NHP reached a high of 13%; currently approx. 10% • Factors that may have hampered retention and organic growth of this demographic • Local development and real estate • Location of the school – limited public transportation • Requested financial commitments (Enrichment, re-enrollment, SAC, volunteer funds) • Improvements and competition from ISDs (La Vallita Elementary, Singley Academy) • Recommendations • Create targeted outreach programs to increase the number of applications • Recruiting sessions for targeted audiences in the community • Be present in the communities (special events, community centers) • Reach out to parents and provide education • Town hall meetings in the communities • Partner with local business and community organization to leverage their programs and access to the broader community • Chambers of commerce, Banks, Credit Unions, City of Irving • Advertising in the targeted communities to increase applications • local publications and community specific radio • Local cable and community television Economically Disadvantaged

6. Communications • The zip code issue is an example of a greater concern; communications between Uplift Management and the local board, schools and parents • Communication disconnects between NHP families, the School, the local Board, Uplift Management and the Uplift Board became evident. • Parental involvement, commitment and passion for NHP underestimated • Recommendations • Web Site – use it to improve access and transparency of Uplift Information • Ensure maintenance and accuracy of content (minutes, calendar, agendas, etc.) • Improve Site Organization; content not easy to locate • Include an FAQ page with cross network Q&A • Improve timeliness, clarity and consistency in messaging • Ensure communications is proactive, not reactive (before major decisions) • Make sure What, Who, Where, When, How and especially Why are included in all communications • Leverage Social Media (Facebook, twitter, blogs, etc.) • “Ask Uplift Management” or “Ask the Managing Director” • Parents can ask questions and get a response • Responses can be accumulated and added to the Newsletter periodically Communications and Site/School based Decisions

7. Communications - Process and Procedure Recommendations • Bring back the Communication Advocacy Team (CAT) • Reorganize the PIN meetings to be led monthly by the CAT (expanded role) • Reinstate the election of Parent representatives to the Local Board • Parents elect the representatives from the parent body at large • Congruent with the original mission: A safe, nurturing environment with strong parental involvement • Charge the local board to close gaps through improved interaction with the school and its community • Clearly define the role and responsibilities of the local board • Advocate for site based decisions and parental involvement • Be present at events and support programs at the school • Align the board meetings or decision making • The Local board should also meet once a month to improve communication and response time with the Uplift Board • Uplift Management should share Plans and Proposals • Inform the local board of substantive changes in Policy and Charter (Zip code, uniforms, start date) • Allow parents/students the opportunity to hear proposals and share feedback during a “comment period” before decisions Communications and School based Decisions

8. Next Steps Next Steps Uplift Board and Uplift Management discuss and consider recommendations Set a date for response from Uplift Management For changes in Policy and Charter (Zip code, uniforms, start date) Allow parents/students the opportunity to hear proposals and share feedback during a “comment period” before decisions