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Tar River Academy

2025-2026

Presented By: Cynthia Steele and Melvin Ballard

Date: 10/15/2025

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�School Improvement Team Members

Team members were elected on: June 6, 2025

Team Members:

Jacqueline Esule, Cynthia Steele (Chairperson), Robert Harvey, Antoine Brown, Kerrean Carey, Kristen Richardson, Devante Raines, Melvin Ballard, and Gloria Jordan (Parent Representative)

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Vision and Mission

Tar River Academy’s Vision:

Every student can learn and succeed despite their current circumstances.

Tar River Academy’s Mission Statement:

We strive to meet the unique needs of our students through innovative evidence based practices addressing academic, social/emotional and career skills to help them overcome barriers and get back on track to reach their post-secondary goals.

Motto: Rise Like a Phoenix

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Tar River Academy School Profile

Total Student Population as of 10/21/2025: 121 with a maximum of 155

  • We have 65 students in the High School (115 total slots)

    • 18 new application students to started in the high school on 10/13/2025 for the 2nd reporting period increasing the high school number to 83

    • 27 students are projected to graduate in January

  • We have 38 middle school students (40 total slots)
    • 9 in 6th grade
    • 8 in 7th grade
    • 21 in 8th grade

Student Demographics

  • Asian- 1
  • White- 16
  • Hispanic- 17
  • African-American- 87
  • Female- 45
  • Male- 76
  • EC- 26 ( 2 in the referral process)
  • 504- 11 (2 in the referral process)

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Tar River Academy School Profile

  • BTs
    • Mr. Kyle Rouse, BT 2
    • Mr. Devante Raines, BT3
  • Teachers and years of experience
    • Mr. Akeyo - 7 yrs. - 1st in NCPS
    • Ms. Carey - 21 yrs. - 5th in NCPS
    • Ms. Eatmon - 5 yrs.
    • Ms. Ford - 7 yrs.
    • Ms. Grant-Palmer - 21 yrs. - 1st in NCPS
    • Ms. Johnson - 17 yrs
    • Ms. Jones - 51 yrs.
    • Ms. Mann - 10 yrs.
    • Ms. Pobadora - 21 yrs. - 3rd in NCPS
    • Ms. Richardson - 7 yrs.
    • Ms. Vertudazo - 14 yrs. - 3rd in NCPS
    • Ms. Yuknalis - 12 yrs. - 1st in NCPS
    • Ms. Goulborne-Powell - 7 yrs. - 1st in NCPS
    • Ms. Nerona - 16 yrs. - 1st in NCPS

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Data Analysis –Academic Performance

2022-2023

2023-2024

2024-2025

Attendance Rate

61%

76%

74%

# of Graduates

76

87

74

4 year Grad Cohort

68.8

84.3

75.8

5 year Grad Cohort

84.5

74.3

88.8

ODR (Office Referrals)

178

196 (85 Cell phones)

123

Accountability Status

Maintaining

D

Progressing

B

Progressing

C

Biology - 10% GLP - increasing by 6.77%

Math 3 - 8.2% GLP - increasing by 7.84%

English 2 - 15.79 GLP - increasing by 12.72%

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�Goal 1 - Accountability

By the end of the 2025-2026 school year, Tar River Academy will continue to achieve the Accountability participation status of progressing as identified on the Alternative Schools Accountability Model as evidenced by school persistence data, school discipline data, graduation data and school attendance data.

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Goal 1 – Strategies

  • Indicator A1.07 (Key)

ALL teachers employ effective classroom management and reinforce classroom rules and procedures by positively teaching them. (5088)

  • Indicator A2.18

ALL teachers use cooperative learning methods and encourage student questioning, seeking help from others, and offering help to others. (5108)

  • Indicator A4.09

The Leadership Team monitors rates of student transfer, dropout, graduation, attendance, and post-high school outcome (e.g. student enrollment in college, student in

careers). (5127)

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Goal 1-Progress Monitoring Plan �How we will measure for Progress?

  • Teachers use strategies such as response cards, think-pair-share, give one get one to increase student engagement (December 2025)
  • Weekly PLC meetings with each department to review/problem solve data to ensure that students are engaged and making progress. (April 2025)
  • Use of new instructional framework visible in the classroom daily (September 2025)
  • At least 2 walkthroughs a day will be completed per administrator. (May 2026)
  • Refresher for staff on CHAMPS for classroom management (by end of November)
  • Provide in-depth/additional training to staff on effective classroom management strategies in an alternative setting (by January 2026)
  • Review policies and procedures with the students quarterly (by May 2026)
  • Establish expectations in all classrooms for personal electronics and consequences. (by September 2026)
  • Provide Restorative Practices training throughout the year for staff.
  • Teachers will actively engage and monitor students by walking around and checking in throughout class time. (by May 2026)
  • Utilize district resources, SAVVAS (History & Science), Stile (MS Science), Carnegie (Math), HMH (English), Math 180, and School Connect (SEL). (December 2025)
  • Reading, Writing, Speaking in every classroom, every day (May 2026)
  • Staff will utilize ClassDojo to contact parents regarding student progress and concerns and share

the documentation with administration.

  • Increase overall student attendance to 75% (May 2026)

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�Goal 2 - Student Engagement

By the end of the 2025-2026 School Year, 70% of our students will improve their critical thinking, problem solving skills, and leadership qualities by working together in groups, doing hands-on activities, and differentiating instruction to accommodate all learning styles.

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Goal 2 – Strategies

  • Indicator A1.06

All Teachers provide sound instruction in a variety of modes: teacher-directed whole-class; teacher-directed small-group; independent work; computer-based. (5087)

  • Indicator A3.09

All Teachers differentiate assignments to provide the right balance of challenge and attainability for each student. (5350)

  • Indicator A4.01 (Key)

The school implements a tiered instructional system that allows teachers to deliver evidence-based instruction aligned with the individual needs of students across all tiers. (5117)

  • Indicator A4.06 (Key)

ALL teachers are attentive to students' emotional states, guide students in

managing their emotions, and arrange for support and interventions when

necessary. (5124)

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Goal 2-Progress Monitoring Plan �How we will measure for Progress?

  • Lesson plans will reflect a variety of learning methods and strategies to differentiate instruction (by January 2026)
  • Teachers need to move around the room throughout the class period to check-in with students through all modes of instruction.
  • Administrators will look for teacher movement and student engagement in the walkthroughs
  • Teachers will incorporate movement for students into lessons - brain break, activities, games, etc.
  • Teachers will review learning styles of students through the assessments completed in SchooLinks and apply learning strategies to meet the demand of each student (Audio, Visual, Tactile, Kinesthetic) ( by March 2026)
  • Problem solve student learning and collaborate in PLC meetings for cross-curricular approaches for specific students. (by April 2026)
  • Use flexible grouping during classes to target students' needs. (by May 2026
  • Teachers will learn about MTSS Tiers (Universal/Core; Targeted Interventions; Intensive Interventions) and how to address all instructional needs in the classroom. (by January 2026)
  • Teachers will receive bi-weekly feedback/support for instructional strategies to be implemented in their lessons. (by May 2026)
  • Teachers will identify different ways to reach students at each tier in their lesson plans. (by February 2026)
  • Teachers will utilize School Connect consistently each week to address SEL at a tier 1 level. (April 2026)
  • All staff utilize Restorative Practices and Zones of Regulations to meet students where they are at and

build positive relationships. (April 2026)

  • CIS will implement a Developmental Relations curriculum with students as a tier 1 intervention.

(December 2025)

  • Offer small groups to identified students for SEL each semester. (March 2026)

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�Goal 3 - Parent Engagement

By the end of the 2025-2026 school year, Tar River Academy will engage 65% of parents by providing them with opportunities to acquire necessary information, knowledge, and skills to support their children’s education at home and at school with the support of community partners.

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Goal 3 – Strategies

  • E1.08 Professional development for teachers includes support for working effectively with families

  • E2.02 - the school provides a broad spectrum of communication to the community through meetings, announcements, newsletters, and a consistently updated website

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Goal 3-Progress Monitoring Plan �How we will measure for Progress?

  • Teachers will complete Class Dojo training. (October 2025)
  • Teachers will make bi-weekly parent contact via phone calls or ClassDojo in a language the parents understand. (May 2026)
  • Teachers will complete ACES/SEL training to help relate to and understand family situations. (May 2026)
  • Designated staff will be trained on the new website platform. (September 2025)
  • The school calendar that is linked to the website will be reviewed and updated each month. (May 2026)
  • Facebook posts at least 1x a month to highlight events and accomplishments of TRA. (May 2026)
  • Bi-weekly Messenger 2.0 in Infinite campus to send emails, texts, and phone calls to parents and staff highlighting the upcoming week's events. (May 2026)
  • Host 8th grade parent meeting for mid-year promotions to 9th grade - how to support your child through high school. (December 2025)

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Family Engagement Plan

  • Title 1 Parent Meeting: August 7th
  • 1 Parent volunteer on the Family Engagement Team
  • 2 Family Engagement Meetings for the 2025-26 school year
  • 2 Parent Conferences: Oct. 23rd (Title 1 Reminder) and March 9th
  • 2 Senior Banquets: Dec. 4th and May 7th
  • Food Bag for parents via CIS: November 24th/25th

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Professional Development Plan

  • Restorative Practices - All staff
  • Problem Solving for MTSS - All staff
  • Universal Design for Learning (UDL) - All staff
  • Mental Health PD - All staff
  • March Madness PD for all staff.
  • CHAMPS Overview - BT Group September
  • Connections Lesson Plans and Instructional Framework - BT Group October
  • Student Engagement - BT Group - November
  • New staff training on Check and Connect
  • Monthly BT Meetings will include PD and a book study
  • School Counselor will attend Core Collaborative PD with the state

and redeliver trauma informed practices to the TRA staff