HistoryThe Institute for Student Achievement got its start in 1990 when Lilo and Gerard Leeds retired and passed the management of their highly successful publishing company, CMP Media, Inc., to sons Michael and Dan, and decided to devote themselves to the education of underserved children who were struggling to learn in under-financed public schools.
After 10 years of working with schools to improve the quality of education for at-risk students, ISA resolved to extend its reach to more students. Dr. Gerry House, a nationally recognized educator was named ISA’s President and CEO. A school superintendent for 15 years in Memphis, Tennessee and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and the 1999 National Superintendent of the Year, Dr. House had extensive experience working with populations of both middle class and underserved children.
A scalable model was developed that could be implemented nationally to provide thousands of students with an excellent education. As a result, ISA's role evolved from direct service provider to intermediary, partnering with schools to foster effective small learning communities. This new model has already dramatically increased the number of high school students who graduate in good standing and go on to success on campus and in life.
ISA’s successful work with schools began in 1990 with one class of students in the Roosevelt, Long Island, school district. Today, about 15,000 public school students participate in 57 ISA partner schools in school districts in New York, Georgia, New Jersey and Louisiana. |
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