CONFLUENCE ACADEMY SAINT LOUIS MISSOURI

MISSION STATEMENT Confluence Charter Schools provides the highest quality public education for our students. Every day, students are engaged and encouraged to excel in reading, math, science, technology, visual arts and performing arts. VISION STATEMENT Confluence Charter Schools will provide a world-class public education to prepare our students for success in college, career and life. BOARD OF DIRECTORS :: 2011/2012 Sonya Henry Chair Jennifer S. Kovar Vice-Chair Paul Tice Treasurer Armando Siliceo-Roman Secretary Dr. Susan Uchitelle Chair Emerita Jeanice L. Baker Thurman L. Brooks James Buford Dr. Harvey R. Fields, Jr. Tim Rowbottom on the cover: Courtesy of Walnut Park, Fall 2012

RESOURCE OFFICE 611 North 10th Street Suite 525 St. Louis, MO 63101 314.588.8554 ph CONFLUENCE ACADEMY- OLD NORTH 3017 North 13th Street St. Louis, MO 63107 314.241.1110 ph CONFLUENCE ACADEMY- SOUTH CITY 3112 Meramec Street St. Louis, MO 63118 314.481.4700 ph CONFLUENCE ACADEMY- WALNUT PARK 5421 Thekla Avenue St. Louis, MO 63120 314.383.8900 ph CONFLUENCE PREPARATORY ACADEMY 310 North 15th Street St. Louis, MO 63103 314.588.1088 ph GRAND CENTER ARTS ACADEMY 711 North Grand Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63103 314.533.1791 ph www.confluenceacademy.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview 1 At-A-Glance 3 Academic Achievement 6 2012/2013 School Improvement Plan 13 Appendix 2011/2012 School Calendar 15 2011/2012 Board of Directors

OVERVIEW WELCOME TO CONFLUENCE CHARTER SCHOOLS Confluence Charter Schools is a non-profit public charter school system that strives to provide the highest quality pre-collegiate education to students in kindergarten through high school. Confluence Charter Schools has five campuses in the City of St. Louis, Missouri Old North, South City, Walnut Park, Confluence Preparatory Academy and Grand Center Arts Academy. Since its establishment in 2003, Confluence has grown as a public charter school from one campus to a network of schools. During the 2011/2012 school year, the Confluence Board contracted with two education service providers to manage its schools EdisonLearning (Old North, South City, Walnut Park and Confluence Preparatory Academy) and American Quality Schools (Grand Center Arts Academy). Confluence is governed by one Board of Directors with two charter school sponsors Missouri University of Science and Technology and Saint Louis University. As a result, the network is comprised of two local education agencies, or LEAs. In 2012/2013, Confluence became a self-managed system. Missouri University of Science and Technology is the sponsor of Old North, South City, Walnut Park and Confluence Preparatory Academy. Saint Louis University is the sponsor of Grand Center Arts Academy. In its nine year history, Confluence has become one of the most successful networks of public charter schools in the City of St. Louis and in Missouri. Confluence has worked hard to create a school culture conducive to learning and student achievement. The Accountability Report focuses on four campuses and provides highlights of the 2011/2012 school year, including results of annual academic assessments. We are proud of what our team is accomplishing: Our school enrollment has grown from 245 students in grades K-3 in 2003/2004 to approximately 3,200 students. Many of our students, 96.4 percent, qualified for the free and reduced lunch program. Confluence Preparatory Academy graduated its first class in May 2012. The inaugural class had 84 seniors who were accepted to more than 20 colleges and universities. Confluence Preparatory Academy opened a new rooftop gymnasium for physical education and team sports in January 2012. Confluence presented the Robert F. Henry Scholarship to 10 students at Missouri University of Science and Technology, for a total of $26,000. The scholarships are awarded to students who major in science, technology, engineering and math related fields. As part of the scholarship, recipients commit to serving Confluence students for two weeks. Confluence leaders placed added focus on grades K-2 and implemented an enhanced support system that included specialized coaches and tutors. Teachers in all the elementary grades continued to implement the Response to Intervention (RTI) model, a multitiered approach to providing academic and behavioral support to students. Teachers also continue to use the Positive Behavior Support (PBS) program to support a safe and effective learning environment. Each K-8 campus spends 90 minutes each day in remediation time to help reinforce skills for students who need the support. Confluence provided additional academic support to students through the Supplemental Educational Service (SES) free tutoring sessions for students in grades 3-8 who qualify, as well as a free summer school program that takes place in July. 1

OVERVIEW Confluence continues to work in partnership with community organizations and programs for students and families. Community partners include Missouri University of Science and Technology, Saint Louis University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis Community Colleges, YMCA and many others. Academic progress, as measured by the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP), showed mixed results. While measurable progress has been made in a number of areas of student academic achievement, in others, we continue to work toward the desired results. This Accountability Report spells out these metrics in detail in the pages that follow. The Confluence Academy Board of Directors is committed to significantly increasing the rate of academic progress by our students and has developed a Comprehensive School Improvement Plan to help guide efforts during the 2012/2013 school year. 2

AT-A-GLANCE CONFLUENCE ACADEMY CAMPUS SUMMARY STUDENTS ENROLLED :: 2003-2012 CAMPUS Old North South City Walnut Park YEAR STARTED 2003 2006 2004 GRADES K-8 K-8 K-8 STUDENTS 871 937 904 3,500 3,000 2,500 2,219 3,217 3,178 2,992 2,732 233 425 504 84 Confluence Prep 2008 9-12 504 2,000 1,794 1,500 1,448 1,000 963 ATTENDANCE CAMPUS 2011 2012 500 0 245 CONFLUENCE ACADEMY Old North St. Louis 91.05% 91.5% 92.2% 93.53% 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 South City Walnut Park 91.5% 91.9% 93.58% 94.07% LEGEND K-8 Enrollment High School Enrollment Confluence Prep 86.4% 84.7% CONFLUENCE PROFILE GRADES SERVED: Kindergarten - 12th Grade GENDER: 1,646 F 1,571 M RACE & ETHNICITY: NUMBER OF STUDENTS ENROLLED BY GRADE 88% African American 500 0.4% Asian 1.9% Caucasian 9.2% Hispanic Percentage of students qualifying for free and reduced price school lunch program Percentage of students with special education IEP s 96.4% 8.6% 400 300 200 100 373 342 376 304 337 329 272 183 197 144 134 128 98 Average Daily Attendance Student/Teacher Ratio 92.2% 18 to 1 0 K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th Classification as English Language Learners 9.7% 3

AT-A-GLANCE STUDENT ENROLLMENT Confluence Academy has seen steady growth in enrollment since it opened its first school in August 2003. The Old North, South City and Walnut Park campuses serve students from kindergarten through eighth grade with 2011/2012 enrollments at 871, 937 and 904 respectively. Confluence Preparatory Academy welcomed its first class of seniors in 2011/2012. Enrollment grew from 425 students to 504, an increase of 18.5 percent. Students who attend CPA live within the City of St. Louis, with a majority of students coming from the Old North, South City and Walnut Park campuses. The maps below highlight the primary areas where our students live for the campus attendance areas. LOCATION OF STUDENTS IN GRADES K-8 LOCATION OF CONFLUENCE PREP STUDENTS N N ONSL Area Walnut Park Area South City Area Student Location of School Elementary Primary Attendance Area Highways 4

AT-A-GLANCE 5

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) sets annual benchmarks to guide student achievement. Through the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) and End-of-Course (EOC) exams, DESE measures adequate yearly progress, also known as (AYP), as part of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Grade levels, and all groups, such as minorities or children who receive meals through the Free and Reduced Lunch program, must meet target scores for AYP. Attendance is also an indicator. Each year, the target is raised. By 2014, per No Child Left Behind, 100 percent of students would have to score proficient or advanced. The 2012 MAP results for Confluence Academy show that 23.3 percent of students achieved proficient or advanced scores in communication arts. In math, 23.1 percent of students achieved proficient or advanced scores. The scores did not meet state targets and show a decrease from 2011 scores. A review of scores from the individual Confluence campuses on the following pages shows a more complete picture of results. Since 2004, Confluence increased the percentage of students who scored proficient or advanced on the communication arts section of the MAP test by 21.4 percent. Since 2005, Confluence increased the percentage of students who scored proficient or advanced on the math section of the MAP test by 9.2 percent. Percent Proficient and Advanced 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 MISSOURI ASSESSMENT PROGRAM SUMMARY 2012 This chart summarizes the percent of students who scored proficient/advanced on the 2012 MAP exam. 23.3 55.4 Communication Arts LEGEND Confluence Academy State Average 23.1 55.3 Mathematics CONFLUENCE ACADEMY MAP RESULTS :: 2004-2012 35 33.7 Percent Proficient and Advanced 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 1.9 7.1 17.3 18.2 18.8 14.9 27.6 25.3 23.3 24.2 21.6 17.8 17.2 13.9 N/A 28.3 23.1 Communication Arts Mathematics LEGEND 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 6

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT MAP RESULTS :: 2008-2012 The charts on this page highlight student performance by campus on the communication arts and mathematics MAP tests for students in grades 3-8, as well as the End-of-Course tests for students taking high school subjects. COMMUNICATION ARTS Percent Proficient and Advanced 60 50 40 30 20 10 25.2 27.4 19.1 19.8 16.9 26.9 29.2 25.8 22.9 14.4 34.4 19.1 18.718.1 16.8 32.7 33 26.6 53.7 54.6 55.4 51.1 45.7 18.2 18.8 27.6 25.323.3 0 Old North South City Walnut Park Confluence Prep State Confluence Academy LEGEND 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 MATHEMATICS 70 65.5 Percent Proficient and Advanced 60 50 40 30 20 10 22.5 14.2 24.1 26.328.1 19.4 20 34.8 31.8 30.7 21.6 19.2 37.8 24.2 21.2 35.6 8.6 46.6 48.6 52.2 53.855.3 21.6 17.2 33.7 28.3 23.1 0 Old North South City Walnut Park Confluence Prep State Confluence Academy 7

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT The following chart highlights student performance in science for grades 5, 8 and Biology. The percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced in science in grade 5 increased, while scores for grade 8 and Biology decreased. SCIENCE 50 47.1 45 LEGEND 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Percent Proficient and Advanced 40 35 30 25 20 15 17.7 13 17.8 35.8 10 5 6 2.8 8.9 9.2 6.8 9.1 5.8 7.9 0 5th Grade 8th Grade Biology 8

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT ST. LOUIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CONFLUENCE ACADEMY GRADE LEVEL MAP INDEX COMPARISON The charts use the MAP index scores to compare Confluence Academy and St. Louis Public Schools grade level performance. The MAP Performance Index (MPI) is an alternate way to highlight student performance on the Missouri Assessment Program. The following equation is used to calculate student performance based on the MPI: MAP Index = (Below Basic x 6) + (Basic x 7) + (Proficient x 8) + (Advanced x 9). In terms of grade level performance, St. Louis Public Schools outperformed Confluence Academy in communication arts in grades 3-5, as well as in English II. Confluence Academy outperformed St. Louis Public Schools in grades 6-8. In mathematics, Confluence Academy outperformed St. Louis Public Schools in grades 3-5 and grades 6-8. MAP INDEX GRADE LEVEL COMPARISON 2008-2012 :: COMMUNICATION ARTS MAP Index Points 780 760 740 720 700 680 711.8 715.3 719.9 707.6 709.1 705.6 703.7 710.1 698 694.3 729 721.1 717 713.4 708.2 710.8 713.5 709.8 705.5 697.8 763.6 770.5 763.1 758 745.8 736.8 712.7 660 640 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2009 2010 2011 2012 3rd-5th Grade 6th-8th Grade English II LEGEND Confluence Academy St. Louis Public Schools MAP INDEX GRADE LEVEL COMPARISON 2008-2012 :: MATHEMATICS 780 780 760 748.6 MAP Index Points 740 720 700 680 718.8 713 711.7704.9 709.4 701.9 704.5 696.9 697.4 693.5 722.6 710.7 711.9 715.8 700.8 701.2 702.9 697.4 685 677.9 691.4 736.3 713.3 704.9 668.2 660 640 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2009 2010 2011 2012 3rd-5th Grade 6th-8th Grade Algebra I 9

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT DEMOGRAPHIC COMPARISON OF ST. LOUIS CHARTER AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS The following chart includes a comparison of grades served, enrollment and the percentage of students eligible for the free and reduced lunch program for charter schools in St. Louis and St. Louis Public Schools. The chart includes a comparison to the state of Missouri. Confluence Academy is the largest charter school network in St. Louis and has the highest percentage of students who are eligible for free and reduced lunch. SCHOOL DISTRICT GRADES ENROLLMENT City Garden Montessori K-8 134 FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH 41.2% KIPP Inspire St. Louis 5-8 259 91.1% Construction Careers Center 9-12 268 88.2% Carondelet Leadership Academy K-7 302 80.3% Grand Center Arts Academy 6-9 343 62.3% Gateway Science Academy K-9 459 32.1% Lift for Life Academy 6-12 575 89.4% St. Louis Charter K-8 957 68.6% CONFLUENCE ACADEMY K-12 3,217 96.4% St. Louis Public Schools K-12 22,516 87.4% STATE AVERAGE K-12 886,246 49.5% NB: The comparison for 2011/2012 does not include Imagine Academy of Academic Success, Imagine Academy of Environmental Science and Math, or Imagine Academy of Careers due to the closure of the schools at the end of the 2010/2011 school year. Source: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website, Missouri Comprehensive Data System, District Demographic Data, 2012 10

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT ST. LOUIS CHARTER SCHOOLS 2012 MAP RESULTS COMPARISON :: COMMUNICATION ARTS 80 70 72.7 60 57.5 MAP Score 50 40 30 20 46.9 40.8 35.2 34.5 32.6 27.4 27.1 26.6 22.9 18.1 10 0 Construction Careers City Garden Montessori Confluence - Old North LEGEND Gateway Science Academy KIPP STL Grand Center Arts Academy Confluence - South City Lift for Life Academy Confluence - Walnut Park St. Louis Charter Confluence Prep Carondelet Leadership Academy ST. LOUIS CHARTER SCHOOLS 2012 MAP RESULTS COMPARISON :: MATHEMATICS 60 54.7 54.6 MAP Score 50 40 30 20 45.9 45 40.5 38.8 33.6 30.7 28.1 26.2 21.2 10 8.6 0 11

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OVERVIEW OF AYP RESULTS The following provides a summary of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) results for Confluence and each campus. CONFLUENCE RESULTS Confluence Academy did not reach AYP targets in communication arts. In 2012, 23.3% of students scored proficient or advanced. This represents a 1.97% decrease from 2011. Confluence Academy did not reach AYP targets in mathematics. In 2012, 23.1% of students scored proficient or advanced. This represents a 5.21% decrease from 2011. In 2012, Confluence Academy attendance was 92.2%; attendance for 2011 was 91.1%. OLD NORTH CAMPUS RESULTS Communication Arts In 2012, 27.41% of students scored proficient or advanced; an increase of 2.23% from the previous year. In 2011, 25.18% of students scored proficient or advanced. Math In 2012, 28.12% of students scored proficient or advanced; an increase of 1.78% from the previous year. In 2011, 26.34% of students scored proficient or advanced. Average Daily Attendance 93.53%; attendance in 2011 was 91.8%. WALNUT PARK CAMPUS RESULTS Communication Arts In 2012, 18.05% of students scored proficient or advanced; a decrease of 0.68% from the previous year. In 2011, 18.73% of students scored proficient or advanced. Math In 2012, 21.24% of students scored proficient or advanced; a decrease of 2.93% from the previous year. In 2011, 24.17% scored proficient or advanced. Average Daily Attendance 94.07%; attendance in 2011 was 92%. SOUTH CITY CAMPUS RESULTS Communication Arts In 2012, 22.91% of students scored proficient or advanced; a decrease of 6.27% from the previous year. In 2011, 29.18% of students scored proficient or advanced. Math In 2012, 30.71% of students scored proficient or advanced; a decrease of 1.09% from the previous year. In 2011, 31.8% scored proficient or advanced. Average Daily Attendance 93.58%; attendance in 2011 was 91.9%. CONFLUENCE PREP RESULTS Communication Arts In 2012, 26.56% of students scored proficient or advanced; a decrease of 6.44% from the previous year. In 2011, 33% of students scored proficient or advanced. Algebra In 2012, 8.64% of students scored proficient or advanced; a decrease of 26.91% from the previous year. In 2011, 35.55% of students scored proficient or advanced. Average Daily Attendance 84.7%; attendance in 2011 was 86.4%. 12

2012/2013 SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2012/2013 Confluence Academy prepares a Comprehensive School Improvement Plan each year to guide its program. The following are excerpts from that plan. GOAL 1: STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT Develop and enhance quality educational and instructional programs to improve performance and enable students to meet their personal, academic and career goals. OBJECTIVES Confluence, through its content-based English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) service-delivery method, will provide 1 direct language instruction to help ELLs and immigrant students attain English proficiency and develop high levels of academic achievement in core academic subjects. 2 3 4 5 6 Decrease the number of ELL students scoring Basic or Below Basic by 10 percent in Communication Arts and Math by August 2013. Confluence will acquire and deploy technology resources to enhance student learning in classrooms throughout our schools. Communicate with parents to increase student achievement and the home-to-school connection. Communication Arts, Math and Science MAP Performance Index Scores will increase 10 index points each for 2012/2013 in each grade span: 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Confluence Academy s daily average attendance will either meet the state s requirement of 93 percent or exceed the prior year. 7 8 At least 20 percent of students at Confluence Preparatory Academy will achieve scores at or above the national average on the ACT. The Confluence LEA will have a graduation rate of at least 85 percent each year. GOAL 2: HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF Recruit, attract, develop and retain highly qualified staff to carry out the LEA mission, goals and objectives. OBJECTIVES One hundred percent of Confluence s professional teachers will be highly qualified as defined by No Child Left Behind and 1 reported on the DESE Core Data System. 2 3 One hundred percent of teachers will participate in 30 hours of evidence-based professional development activities focused on improving instruction and support for students at risk. Confluence Academy will conduct quarterly formative and annual summative evaluations of each teacher using researchbased evaluation tools. Each teacher will have an individualized professional development plan based upon performance data. GOAL 3: FACILITIES, SUPPORT AND INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES Provide and maintain appropriate instructional resources, support services and functional and safe facilities. OBJECTIVES LEA will make instructional technology resources available to classrooms to facilitate the integration of technology into the 1 curriculum, beginning immediately. 2 3 4 5 LEA will recruit, hire, train and develop personnel for the monitoring, maintaining and otherwise supporting the use of instructional technology resources as soon as possible. One hundred percent of Confluence Academy s facilities will demonstrate full compliance with all local, state and federal occupancy and safety requirements by passing a comprehensive safety audit. One hundred percent of students with physical disabilities will be provided transportation to attend our handicap accessible, elevator-equipped campus, unless other reasonable accommodations can be made. Confluence Academy will enhance its website to include resources for effective communication of the school s mission, objectives, educational programming, performance reporting and accountability information. 13

2012/2013 SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN GOAL 4: SCHOOL CLIMATE Promote, facilitate and enhance parent, student and community involvement in LEA/Confluence educational programs. OBJECTIVES 1 2 3 4 5 Family literacy, parent outreach and training activities will be provided to ELL/immigrant families monthly to assist parents in becoming active participants in their child s education. Confluence will continue to implement the Positive Behavior Support program with a 25 percent decrease in office referrals. The LEA will use technology resources to increase parent and community involvement in the education of our students. Communicate with parents to increase student achievement and the home-to-school connection. One hundred percent of teachers will establish, maintain and document communication with families using progress reports and weekly, two-way communication by email, telephone calls and Infinite Campus portal reporting tools. The communications will include aggregated student attendance and performance indicators with which our parents can help. 6 We will offer at least one auxiliary programming event (e.g. Curriculum Night, Parent Assembly, Student Performances, Parent Education Events, etc.) per month. GOAL 5: GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP Govern LEA/Confluence in an efficient and effective manner providing leadership and representation to benefit the students, staff and patrons of Confluence. OBJECTIVES LEA ensures a Confluence leadership culture that will leverage education technology investments to improve stakeholder 1 relations. 2 3 4 5 6 Confluence Academy will comply fully with all applicable state and federal laws. The Board will meet at least 10 times yearly and will maintain a quorum at each meeting. All Board and committee meetings shall be subject to the provisions of sections 610.010 to 610.030, the open meetings law. All members of the Board will participate in at least 16 hours of annual Board training and development. New members will attend new member orientation training. Annual independent audit is conducted and submitted to all required parties on time, with no major findings. The Board will submit finalized yearly budget by June 30, to sponsor liaison. 14

APPENDIX 2011/2012 SCHOOL CALENDAR August 15 September 5 September 23 October 7 October 28 October 31 November 1 November 11 November 23-25 December 19-30 January 2 January 3 January 16 January 20 January 23 January 27 February 20 April 6 April 9 April 16-20 May 23-25 May 28 May 29 May 30 June 22 First day of School Labor Day No School Professional Development No School Parent-Teacher Conferences No School First Quarter Ends Professional Development No School Second Quarter Begins Veterans Day No School Thanksgiving Holiday No School Winter Break No School Professional Development No School Classes Resume Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday No School, Second Quarter Ends Third Quarter Begins Parent-Teacher Conferences No School Presidents Day No School Third Quarter Ends No School Fourth Quarter Begins Spring Break No School Make-Up Days* Memorial Day No Classes Professional Development No School School Hours Change, 8:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Last Day of School *Make-up days are used if school is canceled for any reason, including weather. 2011/2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sonya Henry Chair Sonya Henry has 30 years of experience in the information technology industry. She has worked for IBM for 14 years. She has experience as a technical computer consultant, systems analyst and computer educator. She also owned firms in technology and real estate development. She is a graduate of Howard University, and studied business at the University of Oslo in Norway. She currently manages a team of storage technical systems engineers for IBM covering the western United States. Jennifer S. Kovar Vice-Chair Jennifer S. Kovar is an attorney and owner of Kovar Law Firm, LLC in the City of St. Louis. She is a Fulbright Scholar, and earned a law degree from the University of Tulsa. She has a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from the University of Oklahoma. She is a member of the Missouri Bar and Illinois State Bar associations. Paul Tice Treasurer Paul Tice is the chief investment officer for Argos Investment Advisors, LLC. Previously, he was the managing member and portfolio manager for Tice Asset Management, LLC, and a financial analyst at DFC Group, Inc., a real estate consultancy. He practiced law at Rosenblum, Goldenhersh, Silverstein and Zafft, P.C. in St. Louis. He was a tax accountant/cpa at Price, Waterhouse, Coopers, LLP. Tice has a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Science of Business Administration from the John M. Olin School of Business at Washington University. He is a licensed CPA, a member of the Missouri Bar and Charter Financial Analyst. Armando Siliceo-Roman Secretary Armando Siliceo-Roman is a vice president of client services for Blade Technologies, Inc. He oversees all business development efforts. He has 16 years of experience in the high-tech software industry, with experience in sales management, productivity infrastructure optimization, enterprise project management and knowledge/content management. He is a graduate of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He has a Bachelor of Science in political theory. He is an active member of the community, and is a graduate of FOCUS St. Louis- Leadership St. Louis class of 2005-2006. He serves on the boards of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and FOCUS St. Louis. 15

APPENDIX Dr. Susan Uchitelle Chair Emerita Dr. Susan Uchitelle is the original founder of Confluence Academy. She has a master s degree in education from Harvard and a Ph.D. in educational policy and program development from Washington University in St. Louis. She worked for the Danforth Foundation in Higher Education, taught at Washington University, and worked as area supervisor of instruction for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She was appointed by the U.S. District Court to implement the St. Louis Metropolitan School Desegregation Interdistrict Transfer Program, which she did from 1981 until the case was settled in 1999. Uchitelle gives regular commentaries for the local public radio station, KWMU, and serves on several charitable boards in the St. Louis region. Jeanice L. Baker, MBA Jeanice L. Baker is a senior credit analyst for Monsanto Company. She serves as vice president of African Americans in Monsanto (AAIM) Diversity Network. She is also the African American Finance Diversity Recruiting Lead. She has worked for Monsanto in accounting positions such as senior inventory control analyst and accounts receivable lead. She is the regional director of National Association of Black Accountants. She serves on the boards of SPG Youth Organization, Junior Achievement Enterprise Advisory Board and United Way Allocations Board. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and serves as chapter treasurer and helps mentor young ladies. She has a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a Master of Business Administration from Fontbonne University. Thurman L. Brooks, CPA Thurman L. Brooks is a native of Carbondale, Il. He received a bachelor s degree in accounting and a master s degree in education with an emphasis in instructional design from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He is a licensed CPA in the state of North Carolina. Brooks works with PNC Bank in the healthcare division. His primary responsibility is to deliver customized cash flow solutions to doctors, dentists and veterinarians. James Buford James Buford is a native of St. Louis. He has served as president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis since 1985. He has a Bachelor of Arts in human services administration from Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania. He received honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Harris-Stowe State University in 1993, the University of Missouri - St. Louis in 1995, Webster University in 2000, Eden Theological Seminary in 2006 and Fontbonne University in 2008. As an advocate for social and economic parity, Buford is often a vocal spokesperson on behalf of Urban League constituents. In this role, he speaks to diverse audiences which embody the whole community, from grass roots to corporations. He serves on more than 20 boards and has received numerous awards and honors for his commitment to the St. Louis community. Dr. Harvey R. Fields, Jr. Dr. Harvey Fields Jr. has a Ph.D. in chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis. He previously was employed by Procter and Gamble as manager of a production facility. He is currently the Retention and Academic Advisor and Director of Academic Mentoring at Washington University. He serves on the boards of the Humane Society of Missouri, Missouri One Church and the St. Louis Clergy Coalition. He is a member of the Association of Black Scientists of Metropolitan St. Louis. Tim Rowbottom Tim Rowbottom, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, directs the Lawrence Group s Academic and Institutional practice. During his 20-year architectural career, he has served as the principal in charge on a range of academic, adaptive reuse and institutional projects encompassing more than $700 million in construction value. He is a member of Lawrence Group s Leadership Council, assisting the firm in planning, growth management and implementation priorities. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Kansas in 1993. He attended the Kansas City Urban Design Studio in 1992-1993, earning the Leadership Excellence Award. Rowbottom serves on the Board of Trustees at Forsyth School in St. Louis, and is the former chair of the building committee for the Downtown Children s Center, a non-profit early childhood education center. 16