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BookNook Insights

How One School Principal Uses Data, Relationships, and Buy-In to Build a Growth Mindset

by Connie Warren on Aug 16, 2024 9:00:00 AM

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Located in Garfield Heights, The Brilliance School is a high-quality K-8 public charter institution serving students from across greater Cleveland. The school is renowned for its thriving community and culture of success, attracting families who seek an environment of high expectations. The Brilliance School is a bright light across greater Cleveland and a model for other schools striving for excellence. 


The Brilliance School: Cultivating Excellence and Bridging Learning Gaps with Principal Yuri Thornton 

 
Principal Yuri Thornton leads The Brilliance School with a vision grounded in the belief that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed. Under her leadership, the school cultivates an atmosphere of high expectations embedded in the best practices of high-performing schools. This commitment is reflected in the core values that drive the school community:
 
  • The Courage to Lead
  • The Confidence to Learn
  • The Creativity to Try Something New
  • Community and Culture of Excellence

 

“At The Brilliance School, we prioritize creating an environment where students can thrive academically and emotionally."
Yuri Thornton

Executive Principal

Yuri Thornton

Led by Principal Yuri, the school has adopted innovative approaches to foster a culture of joy, data-driven instruction, and strong relationships within the school community. Despite their rigorous academic programs and strong school culture, The Brilliance School faced a significant challenge: many students were performing below grade level in reading. Recognizing the need for a targeted intervention to bridge these learning gaps, Principal Thornton and her team sought out solutions that could provide personalized and effective support for their students. This search led them to BookNook, whose research-driven tutoring programs offered the high-impact, data-informed approach needed to help their students achieve academic success.

 

 

Effective Implementation of High-Impact Tutoring at The Brilliance School

 
After careful consideration, Principal Thornton and her team chose to implement BookNook’s high-impact tutoring program to address the significant challenge of students performing below grade level in reading. The program was structured into three distinct cohorts across the school year and summer, targeting different grade levels with specific objectives and goals.
 
The primary goals of The Brilliance School were to increase reading proficiency, ensure 40% of students performing at the bubble level achieve proficiency, and improve the school's overall performance rating. These goals are driven by a commitment to rigorous academic standards, strategic interventions, and fostering a supportive and joyful learning environment.
 
 

Combined Results of All Cohorts

  • Participants: 104 students from grades 2-8
  • Sessions: 68 sessions with a 4:1 student-tutor ratio
  • Total Sessions Completed: 1068
  • Hours of Practice: 577
  • Standards Addressed: 146

 

Key Highlights and Impact

  • Student Engagement: Students across all cohorts showed high levels of engagement. Power users, those who completed 20+ sessions, demonstrated significant improvement in reading proficiency (6 months of growth on average).
  • Skill Development: Students addressed and practiced multiple unique standards, with notable progress in foundational skills, comprehension, and fluency.
  • Student Satisfaction: A majority of students rated their experience with BookNook Reading as fun and engaging, contributing to a positive learning environment.

 
The Brilliance School’s implementation of BookNook’s high-impact tutoring program has shown promising results in improving student reading and math skills. Principal Yuri Thornton’s leadership has been instrumental in driving this success, with a focus on data-driven instruction and a supportive learning environment. The combination of strategic tutoring sessions and a growth mindset has empowered students to achieve significant academic progress, setting a strong foundation for continued educational excellence.
 
 
 
 
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The Power of Leadership and High-Impact Tutoring: Insights from Principal Yuri Thornton 

The success story of The Brilliance School is a testament to the mighty partnership between high-impact tutoring and a strong growth mindset fostered under the guidance of Principal Thornton’s impactful leadership. By integrating BookNook’s tailored tutoring programs with the school’s commitment to academic excellence and holistic student development, Brilliance School has created a thriving educational environment where students are empowered to reach their full potential. Learn more from Yuri about how strong leadership coupled with impactful small-group instruction can lead to great results.
 

Culture of Joy

Principal Thornton emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of joy within the school. She believes that when students and staff are happy and engaged, they are more likely to be successful and motivated to learn. Yuri's approach includes celebrating small victories, incorporating fun activities into the daily routine, and creating an environment where every student feels seen and appreciated. By making joy a cornerstone of the school culture, Yuri ensures that both students and staff look forward to being part of the school each day.
 
 

 

Using Data to Drive Instruction  

Yuri explains how crucial it is to use data to inform instructional decisions. At The Brilliance School, teachers regularly analyze student performance data to tailor their instruction to meet the specific needs of each student. This data-driven approach allows for timely interventions and personalized support, ensuring no student falls behind. Yuri highlights several steps to effectively use data in the classroom: setting clear goals, regularly collecting and reviewing data, and making adjustments to teaching strategies based on the findings. This continuous cycle of assessment and improvement helps create a dynamic learning environment that supports student success.
 
 

 

Relationships  

Building strong relationships is at the core of The Brilliance School's approach. Yuri underscores the importance of developing trust and mutual respect between students, teachers, and parents. She shares that consistent communication, active listening, and showing genuine care for each individual's well-being are key to fostering these relationships. By creating a supportive and connected school community, Yuri ensures that everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute to the school's success. These strong relationships also provide a foundation for collaborative problem-solving and continuous improvement.
 
 

 

Buy-In  

Yuri discusses the importance of buy-in from all stakeholders, including teachers, students, and parents. She shares strategies for gaining support and commitment from the school community, such as involving stakeholders in decision-making processes, clearly communicating the benefits of new initiatives, and demonstrating how changes align with the school’s values and goals. Yuri believes that when everyone feels invested in the school’s vision, they are more likely to actively participate and support its implementation. This collective effort ensures the successful adoption of new programs and initiatives, driving continuous growth and improvement.
 
 

 

The Brilliance School’s journey showcases the impact of combining high-impact tutoring with a robust growth mindset. Under Principal Thornton’s visionary leadership, the school has successfully navigated the challenges of academic underperformance, creating a nurturing and effective educational environment. The collaboration with BookNook has been instrumental in this success, providing the targeted support and resources needed to elevate student outcomes. 
 
As The Brilliance School continues to inspire and innovate, it stands as a model for other schools striving to achieve excellence through dedication, data-driven instruction, and a commitment to joy and creativity in education. 
 
Well done, students of The Brilliance School. We at BookNook think you’re … brilliant! 
 

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Topics: High-Impact Tutoring

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