Mission

AUSL will improve student achievement in Chicago’s high-poverty, chronically failing schools through its disciplined transformation process, built on a foundation of specially trained AUSL teachers.

AUSL is at the forefront of education reform in Chicago. Founded in 2001 by Martin J. Koldyke, venture capitalist and founder of the Golden Apple Foundation, AUSL has created a unique model of reform that has been heralded by President Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. AUSL’s model is to train teachers in a rigorous one year residency program and then place them in AUSL-managed turnaround schools to effect whole school transformation. The results are impressive.

History of AUSL

2001   AUSL opens first training academy, The Chicago Academy

The Chicago Academy is AUSL’s first teacher training site.

2003   First class of 31 residents graduate; AUSL opens second training academy, Dodge Renaissance Academy

2004   AUSL opens its first high school training academy, Chicago Academy High School

2005   AUSL opens Tarkington School of Excellence, 4th training academy

2006   AUSL’s first turnaround school, Sherman School of Excellence

2007   AUSL’s second turnaround school, Harvard School of Excellence; AUSL opens two more training academies: Collins Academy High School and National Teachers Academy, bringing the total training academies to six

2008   Three new turnaround schools: Orr Academy High School and Morton and Howe Schools of Excellence

2009   New turnaround schools: Bethune, Johnson and Dulles Schools of Excellence bring the total turnaround schools to eight.

2010   Four new turnaround schools: Bradwell, Curtis and Deneen Schools of Excellence and Phillips Academy High School bring the total turnaround schools to 12.

2011   Added Morton and Howe as teacher training sites. Total AUSL residency graduates reaches 438.