All students learn the academic and personal skills they need to succeed in higher education, to compete in the global economy, and to pursue their dreams.
We believe that educational inequity is the most pressing social problem facing our country—the civil rights issue of our day. Mastery exists to solve the problem. We believe it is imperative that every child receives a quality, college-preparatory education. Mastery is creating a network of exceptionally high performing urban schools that demonstrate that all students—not just those attending selective schools—can succeed and achieve academically. Our purpose is to raise the bar for urban education and prompt system changes. We live by our motto: “Excellence. No Excuses.”
Mastery integrates modern management and effective educational practices to drive student achievement. Our program is distinct in several ways. Most importantly, our teachers are outstanding and relentlessly committed to student achievement. Mastery instruction means teaching and supporting students until they learn. Our teachers continually improve their craft through frequent feedback, coaching, and collaborative support. Instruction is grounded by a common pedagogical model and guided by focused standards-based curricula. We align assessments to clear objectives and use assessment data to direct instruction. We utilize a mastery-based grading system and a scaffolded course structure that addresses students at their incoming skill level, yet holds all students to a single college preparatory graduation standard.
Mastery creates an achievement-focused school culture by sweating the small stuff while fostering meaningful, personalized relationships between students and adults. To support the transition to a high expectations culture, we explicitly teach students problem-solving and social-emotional skills. All students receive workplace skills training and participate in internships to ensure they develop the real world skills required for college and the global economy. In short, Mastery insists on high expectations and high support so all students can achieve success.