High Praise For DECA

I worked at a pretty special place. The Dayton Early College Academy (DECA) is a charter high school (with 7th grade this year) that has a vision to give urban students an opportunity to go to college through personalized learning programs, rigorous study, and a small educational environment. It has a been a joy to be a very small part of the team that helps students and families achieve their dream of going to college (most likely the first in their family to do so).

Recently, U.S. News & World Report ranked the top high schools in America. DECA was recognized with a Bronze medal which is awesome. Dedicated leadership and committed, creative teachers are a huge reason why DECA was recognized with this honor. The other reason is the awesome students and families that push through tons of obstacles to graduate and grow into bigger and better opportunities.

Here is a link to the DECA stats on U.S. News. Read more here at link to an article written by the University of Dayton who sponsors DECA. Here is a teaser from the UD link:

DECA is no stranger to national attention. Places such as Harvard University Graduate School of Education, Jobs for the Future and The Chronicle of Higher Education have studied the school's innovative approach to education.


The Center for Secondary School Redesign has called DECA "a concrete response to convince and prepare urban learners to go to college," and invited the school to participate in the 2007 and 2008 Breaking Ranks Secondary School Showcases. Schools are chosen based on their outstanding reputations for quality and innovative approaches with challenging populations.


The U.S. News ranking comes just six weeks after UD and DECA received the national Urban Impact Award from the Council of the Great City Colleges of Education. The award recognized the schools as an exemplary partnership between an urban school district and a university that has had a significant impact on teaching and learning. It was the first time an early college high school had received the award.

Big Ups to all those that make DECA such and amazing place. Thanks for all you do for to make this world a better place for kids. It is my priviledge to be apart of the ride!