Amethod Public Schools
In 2004 Jorge Lopez took control of the school. At the time its Academic Performance Index (API) was 650. Lopez received guidance from Ben Chavis, head of the American Indian Model Schools, and established a system similar to the system of American Indian Public Charter School at Oakland Charter Academy. In late September 2007 the Oakland Charter Academy became the second public school in Oakland to win the National Blue Ribbon award. Oakland Charter High School opened in 2007.
Institute for Student Achievement
The Institute for Student Achievement (ISA) is a "high school turnaround partner" for public school districts attempting to improve high school education, particularly for at-risk students. ISA, which became part of Educational Testing Service (ETS) in 2013, offers both a comprehensive model and, for those schools and districts whose needs are less profound, ISA offers targeted services. Founded in 1990 by philanthropists Gerard and Lilo Leeds, at present ISA partners with 80 schools serving over 40,000 students in New York City, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas and Georgia school districts.
Since 2000, the organization has been headed by Gerry House, formerly school superintendent of the Memphis, Tennessee school system. Institute for Student Achievement website, accessed October 6, 2010. House helped redesign ISA with a focus on 'whole school' reform that would greatly increase the number of high school graduates prepared for college-level academic work.