December 2012. Place-based learning ◦ Connects kids to the community ◦ Uses the social and...
-
Upload
angie-voisin -
Category
Documents
-
view
213 -
download
0
Transcript of December 2012. Place-based learning ◦ Connects kids to the community ◦ Uses the social and...
December 2012
Place-based learning◦ Connects kids to the community◦ Uses the social and natural environment as an
additional classroom◦ Integrated learning experiences◦ Authentic, hands-on, real world learning
experiences Science, Art & Civics are the primary lenses Small class and school size
Fewer educational options in SW Portland◦ 28 public options on the east side of Portland◦ 6 public options on the west side of Portland
Small class size & small school size Community involvement Authentic, place-based
learning
2007-2008–Year One◦ Granted State Charter
in May 2007◦ Opened in Fall 2007
29 students 3 teachers, 1 aide,
director & office manager
Grew to 45 students by end of 2007-08
Added 2 ADA bathrooms & several other smaller modifications to receive a temporary occupancy permit
2008-2009 – Year Two◦ Grew to about 58 students ◦ Added 1 teacher for total of 4 teachers◦ Converted office space to a fourth classroom◦ Began own After School Enrichment program
2009-2010 – Year Three◦ Grew to about 120
students ◦ Operated in two
locations apx. 2 miles apart
◦ Added 3 teachers for total of 7 teachers
◦ Granted a renewal of charter for 3 additional years
◦ Earned an “Outstanding” report card
2010-2011 – Year Four◦ Grew to about 140 students ◦ Added 2 teachers for total of 9 teachers◦ Started late (9/22) due to construction delays◦ Operated in temporary facility through February◦ Executed mid-year move to new facility (March 1)◦ First Artist-in-Residence◦ Earned an “Outstanding” Report Card◦ Middle School Students won statewide Project
Citizen
2011-2012 – Year Five◦ Grew to about 190 students ◦ First full year in new facility◦ Added NWEA MAP testing ◦ More professional development for teachers/staff◦ Revised and improved writing curriculum◦ Worked to upgrade HVAC, school visibility &
playground◦ Second Artist-in-Residence & permanent mural
installation◦ Second Project Citizen statewide win for 7th/8th ◦ Began long-term strategic planning
2011/12– Earth◦ Land animals, plants, soil, geology, volcanoes,
cartography, ceramics, landscapes, human uses of the land
2012/13 – Sky◦ Birds, flying insects, the solar system, space, the “Big
Sky” painters, mobiles & wind sculptures, air quality, weather
2013/14– Water◦ Physical aspects of water, watercolor painting, marine
& aquatic animals, wetlands
An integral part of the learning at SWCS◦ Authentic experiences for students◦ Broadens their concept of where learning
happens◦ Connects classroom learning with real world
application◦ Behavior must be top-notch to participate
Over 150 field work experiences this year◦ Weekly trips to neighborhood resources (e.g. Community
Garden, Cottonwood Bay)◦ Library trips at grade levels 1-8 (monthly)◦ Art experiences
Portland Art Museum Theater & Music performances
◦ Science experiences OMSI Outdoor school – multi-day trips for grades 4-8 Pond studies at Oaks Bottom for grades K-2
◦ Civics experiences Project Citizen in Salem – follow-up with City Council Houses of Worship for World Religions project Local businesses/community partners (e.g. Portland Streetcar &
Metro) Portland connections – Chinatown, Downtown, OHSU, local nonprofits
for internships
State tests◦ 100% participation◦ High points this year
Met or exceeded state average in Reading – 3rd, 5th, 6th, 8th Math – 5th, 6th, 8th Science – 5th & 8th
15% of those testing have IEPs Percent meeting/exceeding standards this year
improved in:◦ Reading – 3rd, 5th, 8th
◦ Math – 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
◦ Science – 5th, 8th
NWEA’s Methods of Academic Progress◦ Tests for grades K-8◦ Tests in reading, math & language◦ High points this year
Learned how to implement & interpret data Average scores of 100% classes grades 1-8 showed
growth
Areas where SWCS students exceeded NWEA norms at Spring test:
Reading Math Language
2nd 2nd 3rd
3rd 3rd 5th
4th 4th 7th
5th 5th 8th
6th
7th
8th
Project-based rubrics Individualized student goals Create portfolios of student work Use pre/post tests in many subjects Standards-based report cards MAP in 2012/2013 – aligned to Common
Core
Gender◦ 65% Boys◦ 35% Girls
Race/ethnicity◦ 5% Hispanic/Latino◦ 2% American Indian◦ 5% Asian/Pacific
Islander◦ 3% African American◦ 10% Multi-racial◦ 80% White
12% qualify for free/reduced lunch program
Students represent 9 different school districts◦ 80% from Portland Public Schools
16.6% disabled or identified with special needs
11% of our current students have IEPs
7 have 504 plans
6 are currently being evaluated
2 Project Citizen statewide wins◦ Policy-based solutions to community problems◦ Last year: School Visibility
Drama – Romeo & Juliet◦ Abridged but in the original
language More intensive field work
◦ 8-week internships◦ Career internships
8th grade student won the Weekly Reader National Student Non-fiction Writing Contest
Elise Gonsalves
Student teachers◦ 2 student teachers last year & 3 this school year
Place-based Learning◦ Participate/present with Lewis & Clark’s PBE
Consortium Community Partnerships
◦ Portland Parks & Recreation◦ Metro◦ SW Business Association◦ SW Neighborhood Association◦ Portland Streetcar◦ Other local charters
“We get out of the classroom and learn in nature.” -SWCS Student
“My voice is heard.”-SWCS Student
“I love that the community accepts me, and no one is left out.”
-SWCS Middle School Student
“I have experienced more than what most average middle schoolers would.”
-SWCS Middle School Student