University of Arkansas Office for Education Policy Honors School for Exceptional Math Growth
Graduate Arkansas Charter High School has received prestigious recognition from the University of Arkansas Office for Education Policy (OEP) as a school where students are 'Beating the Odds' by demonstrating exceptional academic growth despite facing economic challenges outside of school.
Award Recognition
The school received two significant awards in the OEP's annual Outstanding Educational Performance Awards report:
High Math Growth (Statewide) – Recognizing exceptional mathematics achievement growth across all Arkansas schools
High Math Growth (Central Region) – Recognizing outstanding performance within the Central Arkansas region
Understanding the Achievement
The OEP awards are based on student growth scores calculated by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, which measure how much students improved from 2024 compared to other students with similar prior achievement levels. This growth-based approach provides a more comprehensive picture of school effectiveness than traditional achievement metrics alone.
"We think growth is the best indicator of the positive impact that your school is having on students," the OEP stated in their congratulatory letter to Superintendent Katie Hatley. This recognition is particularly meaningful as it acknowledges the school's ability to help students overcome economic challenges and achieve significant academic progress.
Living Our Vision and Mission
This recognition affirms that Graduate Arkansas Charter High School is fulfilling its vision "to provide personalized learning opportunities to re-engage disconnected students and empower them to earn a high school diploma that unlocks pathways for lifelong success." The 'Beating the Odds' awards demonstrate that our students are not just earning diplomas, they are achieving exceptional academic growth that prepares them for their futures.
Our mission is "to become the nation's leading model for dropout recovery and credit recovery education through excellence in student support, instructional innovation, and community partnerships." This statewide recognition for high math growth validates our innovative approach and positions Graduate Arkansas as a leader in helping students overcome challenges and achieve academic success.
Serving students ages 14-21 through flexible learning options including in-person, hybrid, and virtual formats, Graduate Arkansas demonstrates that personalized education combined with dedicated support can help any student succeed. The 'Beating the Odds' recognition highlights how our teachers, staff, and administrators work tirelessly to re-engage students who may have felt disconnected from traditional education, providing them with the tools and support they need to excel.
A Model for Success
This recognition belongs to the entire Graduate Arkansas community – students who courageously re-engage with their education and work hard to improve their skills, teachers who provide innovative instruction tailored to each student's needs, families who encourage and support their students' educational journey, and staff members who ensure our personalized learning model runs effectively.
As we celebrate this achievement, we see it as validation that Graduate Arkansas is on the path to becoming the nation's leading model for dropout recovery and credit recovery education. This award reinforces that our approach – combining excellence in student support, instructional innovation, and community partnerships – creates real, measurable success for students who need a second chance at education.
The Office for Education Policy has provided digital badges for the school's website and will be sending personalized paper awards later this school year. These awards serve as a testament to the exceptional work happening at Graduate Arkansas Charter High School and the bright futures of our students.