Loretta Woods is the Principal of New City Christian School.

Staff reports

Is Anything Working for Black Children?

Last year fewer than half of black children in Asheville’s elementary schools passed both their reading and math end-of-grade tests, according to information recently released on ncreportcard.org. Forty-four percent of African American students passed both tests compared to 91 percent of white children. Is there an educational model that is successful in achieving outstanding results with black children? The answer is “Yes!” and in 2006 such a school was started here in Asheville.

New City Christian School was established with the mission of equipping its students with knowledge, confidence, and hope. Founder Coral Jeffries believed that the achievement gap could be closed by recognizing that many African American children arrive at kindergarten underprepared, and that the school curriculum could be constructed to fill in some of those missing pieces.

“We know that many of our students have not been regularly read to, have not been to academically focused preschools, and have not had the outside enrichment opportunities that traditionally high-achieving students have had,” said Jeffries. “Even so, we have high expectations for them. These kids are smart and are eager to learn. We are committed to figuring out what works in catching them up.”

Ninety-three percent of New City students were working at or above grade level at the end of last year, as measured by their combined end-of-grade test scores. A recent visit to the school demonstrated some of the measures that are making this school so successful.
Upon entering a New City classroom, a visitor is greeted by a student extending a hand, making eye contact, and offering words of welcome. Class size is limited to around 10 students. Hands are raised enthusiastically in response to a teacher’s question.

Classes at New City Christian School include comprehensive lessons in phonics for both kindergarten and first grade students.

Jeffries says, “We are old school in the way we teach, like using phonics and math drills. Facts are important, and we try and squeeze lots of information into every classroom encounter. Our students often lack the background knowledge that would put them on equal footing in terms of reading comprehension, so we know we can’t waste a single minute.”

“Old-school methods” does not mean being bored or just sitting quietly. In the New City kindergarten room, students are learning the continents with a karate-style chant and learning their letters with magnetic boards and pieces so they can participate in the lesson.

The school currently offers grades K-3, and hopes to add a grade each year, eventually becoming a pre-K-8 school. Though private, New City exists to serve families of all income levels and is affordable for any family. The school is located at 56 Walton Street.

For more information, visit www.newcitychristian.org, or call Coral Jeffries at (828) 776-6227 to arrange a visit.