W. Charles Akins High School
10701 South First Street Austin, TX 78748 :
Phone 841-9900 Fax 841-9903
December 18, 2014
Dear Akins High School Community,
This past week, I was officially offered and I accepted the position as a Director of School
[provement for the Southern Regional Educational Board /Mligh Schools That Work (HSTW)
based in Atlanta, I will be overseeing work in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and
Florida.
As the Akins principal, I have been very fortunate to lead the improvement efforts for the last
ight years where I have bad the wonderful opportunity to work with outstanding educators as
well as committed families and students to create a strong college and career focused school
During my time at Akins, the Smaller Learning Community or Academy model was strengthened
throughout the schoo! where every student has been provided with a rigorous concentrated
education. Additionally, I was instrumental in writing and receiving a T-STEM grant to provide
tich opportunities for Akins’ students. Instructional practices at Akins High School that focused
(on students’ needs were also introduced during my temure, where every Language Arts class is
now completely differentiated to focus on strategic academic growth. Within mathematics
lasses, instructors evolved their practices to eliminate teacher directed lectures to strong student
centered learning environments. Social Studies and Sciences classes now focus on critical
thinking skills; both have resulted in strong student achievement. By using the academy model
and through the distributive leadership structure, each of the Akins” career academies grew and
strengthened relevant educational experiences for students. Examples of some of programs and
pathways that have been introduced and developed at Akins in the last seven years inelude: 911
calling center, Vet. Tech. clinic, Park Ranger internship, Austin Corp. intemship, Correction
[Explorers internships, FBLA, Ready Set Teach!, Pharmacy tech. certification, Phlebotomy
certification, EMT certification, Occupational therapy internships, Flower design, Fin schools,
Biomedical and civil engineering pathways, robotics, costume design, computer science and
Austin Film Festival internship,
Austin Independent School DistrictWhile I served as the Akins High School principal with the amazing Akins team, the following
accomplishments have occurred:
* Graduation rates increased from 72.4% (2007) to 86.6% (2012)
* TAKS Mathematics passing rates moved from 4% (2007) to 90% (2013)
* TAKS Science passing rates moved from 51% (2007) to 94% (2013)
* Dual Credit Courses taken increased from 54 (2006) to 360 (2013)
‘* Akins High School reached ‘Recognized’ status in 2010
* STAAR/EOC mathematics passing scores were 81% (2014) - 18% higher than
comparable schools
* STAAREOC science passing scores were 92% (2014) — 8% higher than
comparable schools
* Fach of the many focused career pathways within every academy offers
auticulated credit, dual credit, industry certification or student internships
experiences.
* Several sports, including boys and girls basketball along with football have made
it to playotts
* Akins Blue and Gold band competed twice at the State level UIL competition
[These are amazing achievements that should be celebrated with pride as a community as they
have been throughout the country and I trust that I will be leaving Akins High School in a
It will be difficult to leave Akins High School and Austin but I am confident that the school and
its students will continue to make upward strides with the many committed educators at Akins. I
‘will most certainly miss the strong relationships that I have built with educators and families,
thas been a privilege to serve the families and students at Akins.
Respectfully,
Dawnet Circe
Principal