It is very rewarding for our staff to see the students as they progress through the year, gaining confidence and skills.

The end of the day in a traditional school can sometimes be exhausting for students. We want to keep these kids excited throughout the entire day. In the afternoon, they can dance, or write a poem, and work on something they're really passionate about.

We want all students to be reading at grade level and meet the AYP (adequate yearly progress) requirements of the No Child Left Behind,

I'm extremely pleased with the progress that our minority students are making, ... They are outstripping the gains made across the United States by a greater margin than even our student population as a whole. That bodes well for our state.

He's getting better. He's a work in progress, and he's coming through with more confidence about what he's doing. Obviously he's in better shape. He's going to be good.

The talks have been constructive. We have had progress.