Press ReleaseANNUAL INSTITUTE FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT GALAXY GALA XIII A RESOUNDING SUCCESS More Than $600,000 Raised to Improve the Quality of Education for All Students
Lake Success, NY, May 5, 2006 – The Institute for Student Achievement (ISA) is proud to announce that the Galaxy Gala XIII, its annual black-tie fundraising event held on Thursday, April 27, 2006, raised more than $665,000 – exceeding ISA’s fundraising goal. The proceeds will support ISA’s ongoing work to improve the quality of education for at-risk students and to ensure that they graduate from high school prepared for success in college and beyond.
With the theme, “Opening Doors, Nurturing Dreams,” the evening brought together leading educators, benefactors, local leaders and notable ISA students to celebrate student achievement and ISA’s accomplishments over the past year, as well as to recognize honorees for their dedication to helping students nationwide receive an equitable, high-quality education. More than 285 guests attended the Galaxy Gala XIII, which was held at The Garden City Hotel on Long Island, New York.
“We have had a spectacular year since our last Gala – ISA is expanding according to plan and we are attracting national attention for the good schools we are helping to create,” said Gerry House, ISA’s President and CEO. “Some of our partner schools are already graduating seniors who are fully-prepared for college, and some of our small school graduates are just now finishing their first year of college or university. It’s a good feeling to be part of such positive energy and to watch our kids thrive and reach for their own success.”
As a highlight of the evening, ISA presented its distinguished honorees with the following awards:
In addition to an inspiring speech from Gerry House, the evening’s program also featured uplifting remarks from Ralph A. Nappi, Chairman of the ISA Board of Directors; ISA student Liselle Cordello from the Benjamin Banneker Academy in Brooklyn; and the evening’s honorees. Dave Franklin, HBO, served as the master of ceremonies. Galaxy Gala XIII also featured a raffle and silent auction to benefit ISA’s work, as well as a lavish dinner and dance reception, accompanied by the electrifying sounds of The Hank Lane Orchestra.
Approximately 8,000 public school students participate in 31 small schools and small learning communities in school districts in New York, Georgia and Virginia. ISA recently partnered with Union City Board of Education in New Jersey to create eight new small learning communities, slated to open for the 2006-07 school year, and partnered with Atlanta Public Schools to design and open four small schools at the Carver Educational Complex, which opened in August 2005. Additionally, ISA was recently awarded its second and third grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, totaling $7,886,381. These grants support the creation of six new small high schools in New York City, four additional small high schools outside of New York City, and ISA’s work in transforming two large, New York City high schools into small learning communities.
About the Institute for Student Achievement (ISA) Focusing on improving academic achievement, the Institute for Student Achievement (ISA) is a leading school redesign partner that facilitates the transformation of large comprehensive high schools into small learning communities and small schools designed to prepare all students for success in college. Founded in 1990, ISA partners with school administrators and teachers to create and sustain intellectually rigorous and caring, personalized learning environments. A set of Seven Principles defines and guides the ISA model. Building upon these Seven Principles, the Institute for Student Achievement collaborates with schools to create comprehensive plans and implementation strategies for school redesign that are customized to meet the unique needs of schools and districts. For more information contact us at (516) 812-6700 or visit www.studentachievement.org.
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