2 MESSAGE FROM BOARD CHAIRMAN
3 SUPERINTENDENT’S LETTER
4 ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHTS
10 CLASS OF 2016
12 OUR STUDENTS
13 OUR FACULTY
15 TEST SCORES
16 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
17 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
18 FRIENDS OF UA GALA SPONSORS
19 UA PARTNERSHIPS3
To All University Academy Stakeholders:
On behalf of University Academy’s Board of Directors, I am thrilled to share this annual report for the 2015-2016 year. It was a remarkable year. Here are some of the highlights that we are extremely proud of:
• University Academy’s High School ranked #1 out of 397 public high schools in Missouri based on test scores.
• Our lower school is now in the top quartile of elementary schools based on state test scores.
• University Academy received a 100% Annual Performance Report score from the State of Missouri.
• 100% of University Academy’s class of 2016 was accepted to a 4-year college and 53% were accepted by top 150 schools including our first Ivy League acceptance.
• The Class of 2016 was offered $6.3 million in scholarships.
• For the fifth year in a row, we were recognized by U.S. News & World Report for excellence.
And if that isn’t enough, University Academy was one of fifty-four schools in the country to be named a National Title I Distinguished School. This honor, given by the National Title I Association, recognizes exceptional student performance.
The wonderful accolades we received this year are a reflection of the talent and dedication of the extraordinary teachers, administrators, and staff at University Academy. I would also like to recognize the incredible commitment of University Academy’s students and families, and our amazing supporters.
Thank you to everyone who helps us pursue our mission of preparing students to succeed in an institution of higher learning and to participate as leaders in society.
Sincerely,
Bush Helzberg Chairman
B O A R D C H A I R M A N
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University Academy Families and Friends,
The 2015-16 school year was truly one for the record books. The Class of 2016 managed to set new records while University Academy earned a perfect 100% Annual Performance Report score from the State. Once again, 100% of all seniors were accepted to college, and 53% were admitted to U.S. News & World Report Top 150 colleges/universities, including University Academy’s first Ivy League acceptance (Jazmyne Smith, University of Pennsylvania). To top it all off, the seniors earned a record-breaking $6.3 million in scholarships!
Continuing to build from previous successes, University Academy set higher goals for the 2015-16 school year and I am pleased to report that we accomplished almost every goal. We saw record achievement in our Upper School, which had the highest overall test scores in the State among all 397 public schools. UA finished 1st in the State in Algebra I (100% advanced/ proficient), 2nd in Government (91%), 2nd in Biology (97.5%), and tied for 9th in English II (96%). The Upper School was also named one of the Top High Schools by U.S. News & World Report for the fifth straight year and was one of just 54 schools to receive the National Title I Distinguished School Award for excellent student achievement. The Middle School highlights included a nationally ranked Debate Team and a Top 5 finish at the state Robotics competition. Lower School achieved dramatic improvement in state test scores, rising to the top 22% of all elementary schools in the state.
While we feel good about the direction in which we are going, there is always room for improvement. We are focusing on improving our upper elementary and middle school math, as well as investing further into our ACT prep efforts. We are also ramping up our efforts to further increase summer study-abroad opportunities for Upper School students.
As always, I hope to see you at University Academy sometime this year. Whether you come to take a tour, visit a teacher, see a game, or take in a performance from our arts department, we always enjoy the community support at University Academy.
Sincerely,
Tony Kline Superintendent
Celebrate
SUPERINTENDENT
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L O W E R S C H O O L H I G H L I G H T S
Overall achievement on the STATE ASSESSMENT increased by 11.2%
Achieved a 96% ATTENDANCE RATE for the year
44% increase in number of 5th grade scoring ADVANCED & PROFICIENT in
200 people attended at the
1st annual 4th grade K I C K B A L L TOURNAMENT
25 Number of poetry writers highlighted at
FIRST EVER POETRY CAFE
All MAP scores in grade 3-5
I N C R E A S E D over the 2014-2015 scores.
All MAP scores
in grades 3-5
were ABOVE THE
STATE AVERAGE.
90% of all Kindergarten-2nd grade students scored proficient or advanced on the District Math Benchmark Assessment
Conducted a GRADE LEVEL SHOWCASE to increase parent/student engagement.
Career Week was a great
experience for our students including
a Mad Scientist as one of our visitors.
91% of all Kindergarten-5th grade students were READING AT OR ABOVE GRADE LEVEL by May 2016.
math
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The 2016 6th grade Policy Debate team put
University Academy Middle School in the
TOP 40 with a National ranking of 38th.
The team won numerous tournaments and represented
our school very well. Our current team is 24 MEMBERS LOOKING FOR A TOP 30 NATIONAL RANKING.
Middle School NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY had 9 members in 7th
and 8th grade. Activities included a sock & blanket drive
for Project Warmth, a food drive and field trip
to sort food at Harvesters, tutoring sessions for
Middle School, an ice cream social for the student body,
and plans for a community service based fund raiser.
University Academy had 70%
of MS participate in an
ACTIVITY or ATHLETIC
event during the 2015-2016 school year. Our
goal for the 2016-2017 school year is to attain 80% participation as we expand our opportunities.
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD had seventeen 6th – 9th grade
students competing in 23 different events. UA garnered awards
ranging from 2nd – 9th place during the season.
Robotics Team created a combined grade level team for the
2015-16 School Year. The team programmed and constructed
a robot while displaying gracious professionalism throughout
the year. The first round consisted of 5 matches where
our Gryphon Gears won an impressive 4-1.
MIDDLE SCHOOL ART STUDENTS learn skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, and ceramics while exploring science, literature, world history, math, and of course art history.
Students attended an art workshop at the NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART; entered the Marlborough Community Center’s ARTZPALOOZA contest; and for the fourth year, participated in the Kemper Museum’s NO BOUNDARIES TEEN ART INITIATIVE creating a collaborative art piece displayed at the Kemper’s Crossroads Gallery.
M I D D L E S C H O O L H I G H L I G H T S
Conducted a GRADE LEVEL SHOWCASE to increase parent/student engagement.
art
s c i e n c es e r v i c e
70%roboticsmath
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JAZMYNE SMITH UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
UA CLASS OF 2016 EARNED
IN SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
2016 marks the fifth year in a row that the Upper School has been recognized by
U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT as a high achieving school for our students’ achievement on the Missouri End of Course state assessments.
LIVE AND LEARN OVERSEAS OPPORTUNITIES
22 is the number of students who particpated in our experiential learning programs, NOLS National Outdoor Leadership School; EIL Experiment in International Living; and SDC Student Diplomacy Corps visiting 4 continents and 12 countries.
100% of ALGEBRA I Students tested Advanced or Proficient
53% of 2016 seniors were accepted to Top 150 US World & News schools.
Board Goal was 50%
MA
TH
$6.3 million
5
1st IVY LEAGUEADMISSION
U P P E R S C H O O L H I G H L I G H T S
8
Upper School Ranked #1 Public High
School in MISSOURI based on Mo. State Test Scores schooldigger.com
A I R F O R C E Khalif Rasulallah Hines
A V I L A U N I V E R S I T Y
Charisma Verlice Davis
C A R L E T O N C O L L E G E
Alexis Lynise Tolbert
C L A R K AT L A N TA U N I V E R S I T Y
Arion Elaine Hewitt
D E N I S O N U N I V E R S I T Y
Aliyah Nicole Hunter
E M P O R I A S TAT E
Kristian Nicole Gilmore
G E O R G I A S TAT E
Aaliyah T. Jean Baptiste
H A R R I S S T O W E S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y
Sajadah T. AllahVon’Tazia Tyell GuthrieChristen Alexis HillJasmine LaNear NolenVarissa Yovetta Maria Rodriguez
I L L I N O I S W E S L E YA N
Ashli Camille Hunter
J O H N S O N C O U N T Y C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
Brandon Trasian Ray
K A N S A S S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y
Braxton Dean FinkAlex Leonard Summers IIIChylia Michelle Denise Thomas
M E T R O P O L I TA N C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
Darius Alexander GaultBlake Tanner Norton
M I S S O U R I S TAT E
Aliyah Elizabeth HendersonKeturah Racheal LoganMakayla Joelle Reynolds
M I S S O U R I V A L L E Y C O L L E G E
Malon Necole LeeRaven Latrice NevelsMonta Daron PorterDavid Eugene Robinson Jr.
N O R T H W E S T M I S S O U R I S TAT E
Brianna Marie FranceJori Soleil Kursh
P R AT T C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
Michael Dee Davis IIIThurlmon L. Mosley
S T E P H E N S C O L L E G E
Alexis Arryona LeeZannyell Willieah Wayne’ White
U N I V E R S I T Y O F M I S S O U R I K A N S A S C I T Y
Tre’ Larenz Drummer
U N I V E R S I T Y O F A R K A N S A S
John Clinton HarrisFrenlyn Christopher Piggie Jr.
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS DENTON
Imani Yamani Muhammad
UNIVERS ITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Jazmyne Kanani Smith
U N D E C I D E D Brandon Marcus Alexander Fields
2 0 1 6 G R A D U AT E S
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O U R S T U D E N T SCelebrateENROLLMENT BY GRADE LEVEL
K 1241 1202 1003 1084 955 696 607 738 579 6510 5511 3812 38
GRAND TOTAL 1002
ENROLLMENT BY SCHOOL
L o w e r 6 1 6
M i d d l e 1 9 0
U p p e r 1 9 6
ETHNICITY OF STUDENTS
Asian/Pacif ic Is lander 0.4%
Black/African-American 97.4%
Hispanic 1.3%
White / Caucasian 0.9%
GENDER OF STUDENTS
M a l e 4 3 . 6 0 %
F e m a l e 5 6 . 4 0 %
FREE/REDUCED LUNCH
UA 76.9%
State of Missouri 51.7%
ATTENDANCE
UA 96.0%
State of Missouri 89.7%
BOYS
GIRLS
LOWERSCHOOL
MIDDLESCHOOL
UPPER SCHOOL
UA
UA
MO
MO
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O U R F A C U LT Y
CERTIFICATION STATUS (%)
REGULAR CERTIFICATES 98.6% 97.6 100% 100% 98.7%
SUB / EXPIRED / NONE 1.4% 2.4% 0.0% 0.0% 1.3%
CLASSES TAUGHT BY 99.4% 100.0% 100.0% 98.7% 96.2%HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS
YEARS EXPERIENCE 10.3 9.7 10.3 8.0 12.3
ADVANCED DEGREES 45.6% 41.9% 50.6% 54.5% 58.7%
UA TOTAL LOWER MIDDLE UPPER STATE AVG
ATTENDANCE (%) 96.0% 95.9% 96.4% 95.9% 89.7%
STAFFING RATIO 14 15 11 13 17
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Celebrate
UA SCORES ON ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORTUniversity Academy received a 100% APR score from the State Of Missouri. This is a 3.1% improvement from 2015. The UA Upper School led all Jackson County public high schools in Math (100%) and English (94.3%) scores. Way to go students and teachers! Thank you to parents, supporters, staff, and the board of directors.
A C A D E M I C A C H I E V E M E N T
Celebrate
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32.0%
19.7% 17.4%
60.3%
44.7% 45.2%48.3% 50.8%
ELA MATH SCIENCE
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
66.9%
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0 ENGLISH I I ALGEBRA I BIOLOGY GOVERNMENT
UA
KCM
SD
STAT
EWID
E
53.7%
40.9% 32.0%
43.3%
79.2
65.8% 66.7% 63.3%
94.3% 97.5%91.9%
100%
2 0 1 6 M A P G R A D E S 3 - 8
This chart shows the percentage of students Grade 3-8 scoring proficient or advanced on the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) test for University Academy compared to the Kansas City Public School District and the state of Missouri.
2 0 1 6 E O C U P P E R S C H O O L
This chart shows the percentage of students in these Upper School
subjects scoring proficient or advanced on the END OF COURSE
EXAMS for University Academy compared to the
Kansas City Public School District and the state of Missouri.
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REVENUES $12,949,992
LOCAL 13.5%
STATE 75.9%
FEDERAL 10.6%
EXPENDITURES $13,241,016
INSTRUCTION 43.9%
STUDENT SERVICES 5.0%
INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SUPPORT 1.2%
BUILDING LEVEL ADMINISTRATION 6.2%
CENTRAL SERVICES 13.0%
OPERATIONS OF PLANT 18.1%
TRANSPORTATION 6.2%
FOOD SERVICES 5.8%
COMMUNITY SERVICES 0.75%
EXPENDITURES PER STUDENT (ADA)
UNIVERSITY ACADEMY $12,064
KCPSD $14,696
MISSOURI $10,457
F I N A N C I A L S
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The University Academy board oversees University Academy
and works to ensure that the management, programs, and policies
of the school result in the achievement of our mission. The
University Academy board is absolutely committed to providing
students in the Kansas City, Missouri school district with the
highest quality college-preparatory education possible.
The board is comprised of a diverse and talented group of
dedicated individuals who believe that all children
can achieve at the highest levels.
The board’s responsibilities include:
Setting high standards for the school
Selecting and evaluating the school’s superintendent
Setting annual goals for the school
Setting and adopting policies for the school
Adopting an annual budget
Engaging an auditor to perform an annual audit
D A V I D D I C K E Y, Treasurer
D R . B E R N A R D F R A N K L I N , Member
B A R N E T T C . H E L Z B E R G , J R . , Chairman Emeritus & Founder
B U S H H E L Z B E R G , Chairman
S H I R L E Y B U S H H E L Z B E R G , Secretary & Founder
N I C O L E J A C O B S - S I LV E Y, Member
C H R I S T I N E K E M P E R , President
T O M B L O C H , President Emeritus & Founder
EXPENDITURES PER STUDENT (ADA)
UNIVERSITY ACADEMY $12,064
KCPSD $14,696
MISSOURI $10,457
U A B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S
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2016 GALA BENEFACTORS(Updated 6/30/16)
GLOBETROTTER ($25, 000)
Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Blitt
Mr. Robert Epsten
Mr. and Mrs. Bush Helzberg
Mr. and Mrs. Barnett C. Helzberg, Jr.
Ewing Kauffman Fund - Cathy and Michael Schultz
ADVENTURER ($10, 000)
Anonymous
Mr. and Mrs. G. Kenneth Baum
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Bloch
Mr. and Mrs. Barnett C. Helzberg, III
Helzberg Diamonds Shops, Inc.
Trudy and John Jacobson
Virginia B. McCoy
Mr. Ed Milbank
Mr. and Mrs. James B. Nutter, Jr.
Harry Portman Charitable Trust, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee
Mr. and Mrs. William Reisler
Mr. and Mrs. John Sherman
VOYAGER ($5,000)
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Angrist
Bartlett and Company Grain Charitable Foundation
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Kelly
Mrs. James T. Lacy
Jay and Beverly Wolfe Charitable Lead Annuity Trust
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wolff
TOURIST ($2500)
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Barnett
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Brown
Commerce Bank
The Ellis Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Marlin Fiola
Mr. and Mrs. William Gautreaux
Mr. Tony Gleason
Mr. and Mrs. John Goodman
Greenbaum Family Charitable Fund
Mr. and Mrs. John Hjalmarson
Enid and Crosby Kemper Foundation
Lathrop & Gage LLP
Mr. and Mrs. Morton Sosland
Sunflower Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. West Valentine
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Walsh
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Zanone
SIGHTSEER ($1500)
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Atlas
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bash
Stanley J. Bushman Philanthropic Fund
Gift of Ms. Ann Canfield and Mr. Stanley J. Bushman
Children’s Mercy Hospital
Mr. and Mrs. William Coughlin
Mr. Paul DeBruce
Ann Dickinson & The Gary Dickinson Family Charitable Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Friedman
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Grossman
Mr. Donald J. Hall
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Harmon
Ms. Sandra Baer and Mr. Charles M. Helzberg
Ms. Anne Hickok
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hoffman
JE Dunn Construction Company
Kansas City Zoo
Dr. Jan-Marie and Mr. Brad Kroh
Lacy & Company
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Landers
Mr. and Mrs. William Lyons
Mr. Paul S. McKie
The McMeel Family Foundation
Metropolitan Community College
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pearson
Nicholas Kuhn Powell Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Pryor
Ellen Miller and Irv Robinson
Dr. Courtnay and Mr. Brandon Scarborough
The Family of Gerean Rudnick
Mr. and Mrs. James Stowers, III
Sunflower Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. James Threatt
Mr. and Mrs. Don Trigg
UMB Financial Corporation
Mr. Byron White (UA Class of ’04)
Mr. and Mrs. Josh Wilson
PASSENGER ($500)
Anonymous
Atterbury Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Berg
Dr. Paul Chan and Mrs. Katherine Lorand
CTC | myCFO
Mr. and Mrs. David Dickey
Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Goza
Mr. and Mrs. Stacy Graff
Mr. Howard Haas
Head of School, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy
John and Bernice Hamra Foundation
Dr. and Mrs. John Helzberg
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kipp
Mr. and Mrs. Tony Kline
Dr. Daryl A. Lynch, MD
Mr. Aaron March
Thomas Martin Foundation
Ms. Mary Kay McPhee and Mr. William E. Pfeiffer
Mr. and Mrs. Phil Miller
Dr. Gersham Nelson
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Pearson
Dr. Michelle Robin & Ms. Crystal Jenkins
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Rosen
Mr. David Rucker
Dr. and Dr. Fred Seligson
Mr. and Mrs. Lester Siegel, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shapiro
Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Shifrin
Mr. Alexis Tarumianz, III
Ms. Irene Thomas
Mr. and Mrs. John ValentineMr. Le’Ray Warrior (UA Class of ’04)
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OTHER 2016 DONORS Friends of UA
Kauffman Grant -School Improvement
Trinity Baptist Lutheran Foundation
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
UMKC School of Education Grant
Rita and Irwin Blitt
Liberty Memorial Assn Visit Grant
Hall Family Foundation
Kemper Foundation Grant
Ten-Ten Foundation
KCFTPA - Open Doors Program5
Friends of Zoo
Target - Upper School Donation
BlueCross/BlueShield of KC
MyCoke - The Kula Foundation
Shirley & Barnett Helzberg
Barbara Hall Marshall Advisory Fund
Webster House
Tony & Lisa Kline
Walmart Community Giving Grant
Amazon Smile Donation
CORNERSTONE BENEFACTORS
Mary and Tom Bloch
Lynne and Peter Brown
Ann K. Dickinson in memory of Gary Dickinson
J. E. Dunn Construction Company
Hall Family Foundation
Jamie and Bush Helzberg
Jen and Bar Helzberg
Shirley and Barnett Helzberg Foundation
Julia Irene Kauffman Donor Advised Fund
Lois and James* Lacy
William T. Kemper Foundation,
Commerce Bank Trustee
Shirley and Fred Pryor
* of blessed memory
University Academy gratefully acknowledges special contributions from these organizations and foundations during the 2015-2016 school year. These donations and partnerships support UA’s academic programs, operations and athletic programs. This investment in our students and belief in our mission have helped the dream of University Academy become a reality.
OUR DONORSCelebrate
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