Sep 27, 2023
Team Member Spotlight: Sarah Howard
We would not be able to fulfill our mission without our staff, a group of professionals who intentionally work across difference, are experts in their field, and care deeply about young people and their postsecondary journeys. Each month, we’ll highlight a member of our team by “passing the mic” to hear directly from them about their work and purpose. This month, we are highlighting our Director of Professional Learning, Sarah Howard.
Sep 22, 2023
Empowering Student Success: The Network for College Success (NCS) Journey
Transforming Education Together
Aug 29, 2023
Team Member Spotlight: Adelric McCain
We would not be able to fulfill our mission without our staff, a group of professionals who intentionally work across difference, are experts in their field, and care deeply about young people and their postsecondary journeys. Each month, we’ll highlight a member of our team by “passing the mic” to hear directly from them about their work and purpose. This month, we are highlighting Adelric McCain, Senior Director of Programs at NCS.
Aug 24, 2023
Empowering Educators: Reflecting on this Summer's Transformative Learning Experiences
This summer marked a period of reflection, growth, and empowerment for educators and school leaders who engaged in our immersive professional learning offerings. The National Freshman Success Institute, Leading Professional Learning Communities workshop, and Equity-Based Leadership workshop provided participants with resources, tools, and transformative insights that will support their work in schools this year. Let’s revisit these impactful experiences and highlight the moments that resonated profoundly with attendees.
Jul 31, 2023
Maximizing Your Summer Break: Three Considerations for High School Educators and District Leaders
As high school educators and district leaders, it is crucial to approach the summer break with intentionality. This period presents a valuable opportunity to focus on personal growth, recharging, and preparing for the upcoming school year. By dedicating time to our own development and well-being, we can better serve our students and create transformative learning environments. In this blog, we will explore various ways to engage in a summer of learning, enrichment, and rest.
Jul 24, 2023
Team Member Spotlight: Jazmin Fermin
The UChicago Network for College Success (NCS) would not be able to fulfill our mission without our brilliant team members. Our staff intentionally works across difference, are experts in their field, and care deeply about young people and their postsecondary journeys. Each month, we'll highlight a member of our team by passing the mic to our staff and hearing directly from them about their work and purpose. This month we are highlighting Jazmin Fermin, Data Strategist at NCS.
Jun 21, 2023
Elevate in Action: Empowering Students and Teachers for Transformational Learning
In the landscape of Chicago Public Schools (CPS), a powerful collaboration between the UChicago Network for College Success (NCS) and CPS is evolving how classrooms operate. At the heart of this transformation is Elevate, a continuous improvement platform that is reshaping education by focusing on student experience and its impact on academic outcomes. Read on to learn more about how NCS leveraged Elevate to support educators in shaping the future of learning. Amplifying Student Voices
Jun 7, 2023
Committing to Anti-Racist Learning Environments
Staff Reflect on NCS's Equity Stance and its Impact The UChicago Network for College Success (NCS) believes in the importance of equity work in schools so that adults create safe, anti-racist learning environments for their students. However, to collaborate with educators in this work, we must lead by example. Each NCS staff member writes their own equity stance in which they outline their identity and values and ultimately the purpose of their work. Additionally, NCS has an organizational equity stance that guides and grounds us.
May 30, 2023
Elevating Student Success: NCS Leads Transformative Sessions at Carnegie Summit for School Improvement
Leaders from the UChicago Network for College Success (NCS) recently attended the Carnegie Summit on Improvement in Education. Hosted in San Diego, this annual conference is a platform for educators, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to share innovative ideas and strategies to drive continuous improvement in schools and districts.
Apr 24, 2023
Six NCS Staff Picks to Celebrate World Book Day
The UChicago Network for College Success (NCS) values stories. Through the exchange of stories, we can gain a better understanding, learn something new, and strengthen connections. Additionally, literacy is a critical skill for brain development and learning. Young or old, you’re never the wrong age to appreciate a good book. In honor of yesterday’s World Book Day, we asked NCS staff to share their book recommendations. So here are some stories from NCS and why they are their top picks for a good read.
Apr 17, 2023
Cultivating Connections: Resources to Foster Developmental Relationships in High School
As young people transition to high school, building strong relationships with adults and peers is critically important. Research shows that students who experience a strong web of Developmental Relationships (DR) in their families, classrooms, youth programs, and faith communities are likelier to thrive. Yet, many young people do not experience Developmental Relationships, and that number tends to decline as they reach adolescence.
Mar 16, 2023
Centering Equity in Grading: A Conversation on Equitable Grading Practices in Chicago Public Schools
The author of this blog, Rachel Castro, is the Development Associate with the UChicago Network for College Success. She supports grant writing and reporting initiatives.
Mar 6, 2023
“It’s Iron Sharpening. It’s Capacity Building”
Reflections from the conclusion of the 2022–23 National Freshman Success Institute Throughout the National Freshman Success Institute (NFSI), the UChicago Network for College Success (NCS) works with administrators, teachers, counselors, and other school staff to build knowledge and skills and shift perspectives that will lead to greater student success, particularly for 9th-graders.
Feb 28, 2023
3 Things Black Principals of Chicago Want You To Know
The author of this blog, Kayla Brown, is the Development and Communications Manager with the Network for College Success (NCS). She is responsible for supporting fundraising activities and drafting informational and marketing materials. In her spare time, she enjoys reading historical fiction novels and writing poetry.
Feb 6, 2023
Six Stories of Dreaming Big with Students
NCS Celebrates National School Counseling Week Here at the UChicago Network for College Success, we partner with educators, school leaders, and districts to build transformational high school experiences that prepare all students for academic, career, and community-based success after graduation.
Dec 21, 2022
19 of our Favorite Moments from the School Year (so far)
Over the academic year, the Network for College Success (NCS) partners with educators, school leaders, and districts to build transformational high school experiences that prepare all students for academic, career, and community-based success after graduation.
Nov 17, 2022
My experience at NCS’s Equity-Based Leadership workshop
The author of this blog, Kayla Brown, is the Development and Communications Manager with the Network for College Success (NCS). She is responsible for supporting fundraising activities and drafting informational and marketing materials. In her spare time, she enjoys reading historical fiction novels and writing poetry.
Nov 3, 2022
Six Chicago High Schools Share Approaches to Freshman Success at the National Freshman Success Institute (NFSI)
“Being a part of this community has allowed me to candidly share and exchange ideas and motivated me to be a better education professional that can impact student success.”
Oct 13, 2022
From Safe Spaces to Necessary Spaces
Network for College Success (NCS) Celebrates 15+ Years
Oct 4, 2022
Leading Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to Center Young People
Q&A with Freshman Success Coach, Lauren Perez Pietruszka This past August, the Network for College Success hosted its Leading PLCs Training, a workshop designed for educators and high school leaders to foster PLCs in their schools for student success.
Aug 12, 2022
With Freshman Success, NCS starts at the Why
This past July, the Network for College Success (NCS) gathered 100+ high school educators and leaders in-person for the National Freshman Success Institute at the University of Chicago.
Apr 28, 2022
Nourishing the Four Roots of Anti-racist Leadership: Part Two
This post concludes the 2-part series centered on the NCS roots of anti-racist leadership. Click here to read part one. Root Three: Centering Asset Framing
Mar 25, 2022
Nourishing the Four Roots of Anti-racist Leadership: Part One
This is the first of a 2-part series. In exploring the roots of anti-racist leadership, the author uses the fictional Plainview High School as an example to illustrate how this work looks in a high school.
Jan 24, 2022
Grading in an Ongoing Pandemic
We have now been living through the COVID pandemic for almost two years. All through this crisis, we have seen that students in our country are treated differently depending on their demographics. White students in wealthy districts are more likely to be given support and multiple chances to succeed, while too often Black and Latinx students are disproportionately given failing grades.