Resurrection College Prep High School (Resurrection) is a private, Catholic, all-girls high school located in Chicago, Illinois. The Executive Director of Curriculum is Margo Giannoulis, who was referred to Academic Approach by a trusted mentor.
Why Academic Approach
Off the referral of a Chicago Public Schools mentor, Giannoulis partnered with Academic approach in 2023 to initiate using Title 1 funds at Resurrection to benefit students through test preparation and teacher development.
Giannoulis aimed to provide after-school SAT test preparation for students, to improve and align teaching and learning in the classroom based on gaps identified in SAT test data, and to increase rigor in the classroom through professional development led by Academic Approach experts.
“Academic approach provides really engaging professional development, where teachers have actual tools and resources to use in their classroom.”
SY 2023-2024 Partnership
In 2023-2024, Academic Approach and Resurrection partnered for the first time to deliver tailored SAT test preparation and full-length digital SAT practice tests for juniors, as well as an actionable data conference for teachers.
Integrating SAT Skill Development
SAT preparation
Resurrection’s optional SAT course took place after school, two times per week, between February and April. Participating students received 24 instructional hours (12 Reading and Writing, 12 Math). 25 juniors took part in the course, with an ongoing waitlist. Some students had their course fee waived via Title 1 funds.
SAT practice tests
As a mid-year measure of Reading, Writing and Math skills growth, all Resurrection juniors took a full-length Academic Approach practice SAT in January 2024. Students enrolled in the SAT course took an additional practice test in February 2024. As an overall measure of growth, all Resurrection juniors took the October 2023 PSAT and April 2024 SAT
Teacher Data Conference
In February 2024, Academic Approach worked with Resurrection teachers in a data conference professional development session to analyze their students’ test data and its instructional implications.
“It’s a well-designed program that really takes a dive into kids’ data.”
Student Outcomes: SAT Growth
The Resurrection junior class raised its average SAT score by 60 points—with students who participated in the optional Academic Approach SAT class increasing their scores by 76 points.
Resurrection Junior Class
Resurrection Academic Approach Class
Overall, 80% of Resurrection juniors raised their score between the October PSAT and the April SAT, with 30% increasing their score by more than 100 points.
Number of Students
In addition to score growth, Giannoulis reports a strong increase in student investment in the SAT as of 2023-2024. Through individual data review during advisory, teacher engagement, and assembly celebrations, “the school-wide culture is shifting,” she reports.
Teacher Outcomes: SAT Engagement
Giannoulis notes that Resurrection teachers, too, are more eager than ever to focus on the SAT. Through Academic Approach professional development and follow-up PLC work, teachers have relevant tools to bring back to their classrooms.
“These are my students. This is their data. Academic Approach honed in on things teachers should be doing based on those test results.”
Resurrection will work with Academic Approach again in SY24-25, when Giannoulis aims to continue using data-driven culture to shift instructional practices.
