NMSA Newsletter
October 4th, 2024
NMSA Receives ISBE Commendable Status
North Chicago, IL—Neal Math & Science Academy (NMSA) is proud to announce a significant upgrade to Commendable status according to the 2024 Illinois Report Card released by the Illinois State Board of Education.
Focus on Students Fuels Success
NMSA's strong performance is a testament to our commitment to a rigorous curriculum and the efforts of our students, teachers, and staff. Our gains reflect the successful implementation of several initiatives, including our continued investment in Marzano’s High-Reliability School Model, for which we have earned Level II certification. HRS Level 2 focuses on effective teaching in every classroom and data-driven practices to enhance student engagement and achievement.
Another successful contributor to our ISBE designation is the assertive practice of IAR test preparation. The Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) is key in determining a school's designation. NMSA is proud to announce that students have achieved high growth in both reading and math on the IAR test, beating statewide averages for growth in both reading and math beating statewide averages for growth in both reading and math. IAR testing carries significant weight in the outcomes of our ISBE designation.
"We are thrilled to see our students excelling," said Michael Grenda, Principal of NMSA.
"This achievement is a direct result of the dedication of our teachers who create a supportive learning environment and the commitment of our families who partner with us in their child's education."
Continuous Improvement for Every Student
NMSA remains committed to continuous improvement and ensuring every student reaches their full potential. In the upcoming school year, we will focus on constant improvement to meet the ISBE requirements to earn an Exemplary designation. One area of improvement will be chronic absenteeism, which we have shown improvement year-over-year from 47% to 39%.
Another area for improvement will be continuing to collaborate with parents, families, and the community to improve the outcomes of our D187 students, including those of our lowest-performing target groups on the ISBE report card.
Join Us to Learn More
The NMSA community is invited to respond to a ThoughtExchange to provide feedback on how we can continue to improve outcomes for our NMSA students, teachers, and staff. Please feel free to participate at your convenience. Your feedback is anonymous.
ThoughtExchange: https://tejoin.com/scroll/113589037
You can view the Illinois Report Card for NMSA at https://bit.ly/4eaf0Eq.
WELCOME TO OUR HOUSE
North Chicago Community Partners (NCCP) and Neal Math and Science Academy (NMSA) invite you to an evening of FREE family fun celebrating school pride.
FAMILY GAMES • BINGO • MUSIC • DINNER
WELCOME TO OUR HOUSE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30
6:00-8:00 PM
AT NEAL MATH AND SCIENCE ACADEMY
RSVP REQUIRED FOR PARTICIPATION
Please return the RSVP form or submit via QR code by Friday, October 25.
A parent/guardian must be in attendance with NMSA student
Student Spotlight
This week, we would like to recognize Asiyah!
What they say:
"Asiyah C. has demonstrated remarkable growth in her social-emotional development over the last three years. She has become more confident in expressing her feelings and engaging in positive communication with both peers and teachers. Her resilience and self-awareness have allowed her to navigate challenges with maturity, setting a strong example for those around her."
Student Spotlight
This week, we would like to recognize Diego for excellent attendance!
What His Teachers Say:
Mr. Garcelan (Social Studies): “Diego always has an outstanding attitude in our class!”
Ms. Gonzalez (ELA): “As a hardworking student, Diego consistently earns top grades while learning English as a second language. His perseverance and commitment are truly inspiring!”