News

CHICAGO (June 7, 2011)  – The Alain Locke Initiative, a national education nonprofit, announced today Lennie Jones, principal of Alain Locke Charter School, was awarded the  Illinois Charter Schools Innovator Award by the Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS). Jones, who is in her ninth year as the principal of Alain Locke Charter School, has helped close the achievement gap and raise student performance. Specifically, Alain Locke performance soared under Jones’ leadership with the #1 ISAT test score gains in Chicago history, and student performance continues to grow each year from initial results of 12% to currently 89% of students meeting or exceeding state standards in reading and math. Her work has been recognized nationally with Alain Locke highlighted in a report by the U.S. Department of Education as 1 of 7 schools in the nation best closing the achievement gap.

The INCS recognized Jones’ innovative combination of strategies, strengthening Alain Locke Charter School’s comprehensive experience-based learning program.  She was a leader in implementing a year round/extended day academic calendar that allows students more time on task, eliminates summer academic slippage, and maximizes teacher effective by eliminating burnout.  In addition, she increased focus on literacy and math by creating extended block periods in the core subjects; including integrating an algebra curriculum for all students before attending high school.

Recognizing preparing students for the global workplace is essential, Jones spearheaded a robust program of study for all students in Spanish, technology, and music; as well as developing the Alain Locke Charter School’s World Studies Program, which culminates in a global trip for 7th and 8th graders and prepares students to be globally competitive. Jones also implemented a model program of public speaking for all children starting at first grade, teaching students the verbal skills necessary to succeed in a global economy.

A hallmark of Jones’ career has been her emphasis on starting experience-based learning in early childhood, and addressing the whole family in the educational process. As a result, she reinforces an Alain Locke education with a continuum of care beginning with a model educational program for the youngest children (beginning at 15 months) and their parents; and a program of support for Alain Locke graduates through high school and college.   

Jones completed her undergraduate studies at Howard University in Washington, D.C. and she received her J.D. from the DePaul University School of Law in Chicago. After practicing for several years, Lennie retired from law, married, and built a marketing business with her husband, John. When the younger of her two children entered the first grade, Lennie decided to work as a substitute at the neighborhood school and fell in love with teaching. She taught for ten years before deciding to become a school administrator. After earning a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Organizational Change from Roosevelt University in Chicago, and her Type 75 administrative certification, Lennie completed an internship with the Leadership Academy: An Urban Network for Chicago (LAUNCH), an intensive principal training program.

About The Alain Locke Initiative
The Alain Locke Initiative is a nonprofit education organization focused on closing the achievement gap by energizing urban schools with high-impact leaders.  It was founded in 1991 (then named Inner-City Teaching Corps) by former inner-city teacher and gang narcotics police officer, Pat Ryan Jr., Co-Founder and CEO of INCISENT Technologies, ranked the #4 fastest growing software company in the U.S. in the 2008 INC 500 rankings.  The Alain Locke Initiative is anchored by three key programs: Alain Locke Charter School, which holds the record for #1 test score gains in the history of Illinois ISAT test and was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as 1 of 7 schools nationally best "Closing the Achievement Gap"; Inner-City Teaching Corps, a teacher development program for top recent college graduates and accomplished career changers who will become future urban education leaders; and Accelerate , which seeks to solve the issue of underperforming urban charter schools by developing an elite corps of Ryan Fellows through a one year fellowship in achievement accelerating leadership for the highest potential school leaders. Visit www.alainlocke.org for more information.