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SAI received notification that their software had passed the Marss vendor certification review. The review, held in November, put the software through multiple scenarios and tested the output of the MARSS A and B files. The meeting was held with Marilyn Loehr, Sharon Peck, and Carol Hokenson of MDE. Staff at SAI were delighted to have had the chance to demonstrate their product and found the MDE staff very helpful and informative.

SAI staff look forward to a continued and strong relationship with MDE.

The Minnesota Association of Charter Schools welcomes the following new charter schools opening this fall:

• Ascension Academy, Minneapolis — Opening to 9th and 10th graders in 2004, Ascension Academy will eventually serve students in grades 9-12. The school expects the majority of its students to come from Minneapolis and several suburbs just north of Minneapolis. Ascension Academy will provide a classical education for college-bound, inner-city youth by fostering academic excellence, encouraging self-discipline based on respect and responsibility, and developing a sense of service and social justice.
• Beacon Academy, Plymouth — Beacon Academy plans to serve students in grades K-8. However, in its first year, Beacon Academy will open to grades K-3. According to the school’s director, Debbie Deer, “The school will have a four-pronged approach which includes daily Spanish instruction, Core Knowledge curriculum, character education, and high expectations for parent involvement.” The school already has 140 students and a waiting list.
• Colonel Charles Young Military Academy, Saint Paul — As one of Minnesota’s first chartered military academies, Colonel Charles Young Military Academy will serve middle school students in grades 5-8. My Lai Tenner, the school’s director, commented that, “About 70 percent of our students will come from Saint Paul, but we are drawing from all over the metro area.” The academy will open with 250 students and a mission to work with inner-city students. The goal for students is to read, write, and understand mathematics on grade level. According to Tenner, “Our mission is to make holistic students who are holistic contributors to society.”
• Dakota Area Community School, Dakota — Sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education, Dakota Area Community School will stress a strong core curriculum that matches the state standards. Low class sizes, character education, and enhanced learning opportunities in foreign languages, music, art, and physical education are among the offerings at Dakota Area Community School. In addition, because of the school’s location near the Mississippi River valley, the school will have a strong science component connected with the natural environment. Dakota Area Community School will serve students in grades K-5.
• Eagle Ridge Academy, Eden Prairie — In its first year, Eagle Ridge Academy will serve students in grades 6, 7, and 9. Eventually, the school will serve grades 6-12 and anticipates enrollment at 50 students per grade. The academy is currently drawing students from Richfield to Victoria and Plymouth to Lakeville. Eagle Ridge Academy will offer a classical, liberal arts education.
• Fraser Academy, Minneapolis — Located on the grounds of the Basilica of Saint Mary, Fraser Academy will open to grades K-2 in 2004 but will eventually serve grades K-5. Students are currently enrolled from ten different school districts. Fraser Academy is an inclusive public elementary school providing individualized learning programs to meet the unique needs of each student. The school will be open year round and is still accepting applications.
• General John Vessey Leadership Academy, Saint Paul — This military academy will provide an academic environment that coincides with the four star focus—academic knowledge, discipline, leadership, and character. According to Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Trenda, the school’s director, “General Vessey has endorsed this school. He was a four star general who worked as a joint chief of staff under President Ronald Reagan. General Vessey will attend our opening ceremonies.” The school will serve 100-120 students in grades 9-12.
• Great River School, Saint Paul — Great River School will be the first Montessori high school in the upper Midwest. In fact, there are only a handful of Montessori high schools in the nation. Sponsored by Hamline University, Great River School will serve approximately 100 students in grades 7-12. In its first year, it will be open to students in grades 7-10.
• Hmong Academy, Minneapolis — According to the school’s business manager, Christianna Hang, “Hmong Academy is a college-preparatory high school focused on Hmong culture. It is currently the only Hmong-focused high school in the nation.” In its first year, Hmong Academy will serve 9th and 10th graders eventually growing to serve grades 9- 12. One of the primary goals of the school is to provide a technology-infused curriculum. All students and teachers will have access to wireless technology. The school is sponsored by Concordia University.
• Kaleidoscope Charter School, Rogers — Sponsored by Volunteers of America, Kaleidoscope Charter School will serve approximately 200-230 students in grades K-8. The schools will provide hands-on learning opportunities through a multi-age classroom setting, academic service learning, community involvement, and a project-based approach to education.
• Lakes International Language Academy, Forest Lake — Lakes International Language Academy will initially serve students in grades K-4 but will add grades each year up to grade 6. The school will offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program combined with a Spanish-immersion program. All classes will be conducted in Spanish for predominantly non-native Spanish speakers. With a goal to give students a global perspective, the school is also participating in the Amity Institute teacher exchange and language ambassador programs. Enrollment will be approximately 140-160 students.
• Lighthouse Academy of Nations, Minneapolis — Lighthouse Academy of Nations will serve recent immigrants from all over the world. Current enrollment includes students originally from Sudan, Somalia, Bosnia, Iran, and Laos. The school will open to 9th and 10th graders eventually serving grades 9-12. The Ford Bell Foundation is sponsoring the school. Lighthouse Academy will provide a comprehensive English-immersion program with a global focus. In the first year, enrollment will be approximately 100 students.
• Main Street School of Performing Arts, Hopkins — Sponsored by the Hopkins School District, Main Street School of Performing Arts will serve students from all over the west metro. The school’s goal is to cultivate and challenge each individual learner’s intellectual and expressive potential in a rigorous academic and artistic setting. Performances will be held in partnership with Hopkins Center for the Arts. Enrollment will be approximately 200 students in grades 9-10. The school will add a grade each year up to grade 12. Main Street School of Performing Arts is still accepting enrollment.
• Minneapolis Academy, Minneapolis — As a middle school, Minneapolis Academy will serve students in grades 5-6 in its first year growing to serve grades 5-8. The school offers a college-preparatory curriculum and expects a high percentage of low income and English as a second language students.
• Minnesota North Star Academy, Saint Paul — The Minnesota North Star Academy will be a bilingual school specifically designed to serve students who are fluent in American Sign Language and English. Sponsored by Volunteers of America, the school expects to open with approximately 20 students in grades 9-11. The school will add 12th grade next year. Minnesota North Star Academy is currently drawing students from all over the state.
• Prairie Seeds Academy, Minneapolis — Prairie Seeds Academy will open its doors to approximately 130 students in grades K-5. The school plans to expand both in numbers and in grades to K-8 in the coming years. Sponsored by the Lao Family Community of Minnesota, the school expects to attract predominantly Hmong students with its Hmong literacy curriculum. In addition, the school will use the Peace Builders curriculum.
• River Heights Charter School, West Saint Paul — By the fall of 2006, this school will serve students in grades 7-12, but in its first year, River Heights Charter School will open to grades 9-12. Sponsored by EdVisions, the school will be project-based, student-centered, and under a shared-leadership model.
• St. Croix Preparatory Academy, Stillwater — This school will serve approximately 200 students and already has 120 students on its waiting list. According to the school’s director, Jon Gutierrez, “The school will provide three main benefits to students. There will be a focus on academics, character development, and leadership qualities.” St. Croix Preparatory Academy will open with grades K-7 and will expand upward to grade 12 over the next several years.
• TEAM Academy, Waseca — As a college-preparatory school, TEAM Academy will served approximately 175 students in grades K-6. The school will start small with about 40 students and grow over time. TEAM Academy is sponsored by the Waseca School District.
• Ubah Medical Academy, Minneapolis — According to Director Scott Flemming, “Ubah Medical Academy plans to provide the recent immigrant, refugee community the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in whatever higher education or career path they choose with a special emphasis on careers in the health sciences.” The school expects to serve predominantly Somali and Oromo students in grades 9-12. In 2004, the school will serve 120 students in grades 9 and 10.

Following her visit, Senator Kiscaden commented, “School choice is of value. In the Rochester area, we have many private, charter, and regular public schools that offer choices that match with parents’ philosophies and students’ needs. I know from personal experience with students who have attended Studio Academy that they have found support and encouragement for their artistic development at Studio Academy. Teens with strong interests in the arts need those interests supported. Studio Academy clearly enriches the choices available in our community.”

Kiscaden also commented that the main difference she observed between Studio Academy and other schools was in the physical plant. “The staff at Studio Academy has creatively worked to overcome their physical plant limitations, but they did talk with me about the need for charter schools to have the option to own facilities. This is an issue that will likely be discussed during the next legislative session.”

While this wasn’t Representative Nelson’s fi rst visit to Studio Academy, as a former teacher, she commented that she enjoys visiting schools to inform her work on the Education Policy Committee and Higher Education Finance Committee. “I continue to be impressed by Studio Academy’s intimate setting, special arts offerings, and committed staff,” said Nelson. “I was happy to learn about the ways Studio Academy prepares students to make the transition between high school and post-secondary options. It isn’t enough any more for students to have just a high school diploma. Studio Academy is taking a strong role in preparing students for postsecondary options by helping them create portfolios of their work and designing coursework to prepare students for this transition.” Representative Nelson also discussed several education issues she believes will be addressed during the next legislative session. “We will discuss the implementation of the social studies and science academic standards. In addition, there will be further discussion about the state’s role in the implementation of No Child Left Behind. On the accountability front, I will be advocating for value-added assessment as a means for schools to more accurately demonstrate to the public that students are learning. Value-added assessments have been used in the Rochester public schools on a small scale. I’m not sure how this could be implemented statewide, but I’d like to explore options.”

Eric Holsen, Director at Studio Academy, was pleased to host the visitors. “Senator Kiscaden and Representative Nelson made special efforts to squeeze us into their busy schedules. They both had the opportunity to visit with students and were interested in hearing about what students had to say about Studio Academy and their experiences in K-12 education. In particular, the legislators asked students to talk about what they want out of education. It was a positive experience for the students. I’d encourage other schools to invite legislators to visit.”

Community of Peace Academy, founded in 1995, now serves nearly 600 students in grades K-12. The school remains diverse with 60 percent Hmong students, 30 percent African American or recent African immigrant students, and 10 percent Hispanic and European American students. Eighty-three percent of students qualify for free or reduced-cost meals and 60 percent are English Language Learners.

Each year in October, Community of Peace Academy, located on the east side of Saint Paul, celebrates Dedication Day. On this day, students, staff members, parents, and other community members rededicate themselves to the philosophy and mission of the school to educate the whole person — mind, body, and will — for peace, justice, freedom, compassion, wholeness, and fullness of life for all. The achievement of this mission in action has now received national attention through the Character Education Partnership, the nation’s leading nonpartisan, nonsectarian coalition on character education in schools.

The school’s founder and current director, Dr. Karen Rusthoven, attributes the school’s success to several factors including its emphasis on parents as the first and primary educators of children. In addition, the strong collaboration of staff members in implementing a comprehensive character education program has resulted in strong academic achievement. According to Commissioner Yecke, “Community of Peace Academy has consistently improved academic achievement at every grade level. They are a role model for the rest of the nation.” Schools interested in applying for a National Schools of Character Award should visit the Character Education Partnership web site at www.character.org. This year’s deadline for application is December 8, 2003. The application includes a self-evaluation process, a written narrative, and a school portfolio. Once semi-finalists are selected, a site visit is conducted. Ten award winners are selected each year.

• ARTech — Serving students in grades 6-12, ARTech is a project-based school with a mission to provide students with an individualized, innovative, educational program that fosters life-long learning skills, enhanced through the arts and aided by technology. ARTech is located in Northfield with a first-year enrollment of approximately 100 students.
• Great Expectations School — Opening in Grand Marais, Great Expectations School will serve students in grades K-8 but, ultimately, anticipates growth to grades K-12. Initially, Great Expectations School projects enrollment at approximately 45 students in a multi-age environment. In partnership with their sponsor, Audubon Center of the Northwoods, Great Expectations will use the environment as an integrated context for learning (EIC) and foster the development of each child through individual learning plans.
• Liberty High Charter School — Liberty will serve students ages 16-21 through individualized, career-based instruction. Providing a flexible schedule and community-based opportunities, Liberty’s anticipated Fall enrollment is approximately 100 students. Liberty High Charter School is located in Blaine.
• Minnesota Academy of Technology — With a mission to seamlessly integrate technology into a full high school curriculum, Minnesota Academy of Technology will open this fall in St. Paul. Initially serving approximately 75 students in grades 9-12, Minnesota Academy of Technology will provide technology career training to students and a progressive wireless laptop environment.
• Minnesota Internship Center Charter School — Opening in Minneapolis, the Minnesota Internship Center Charter School will focus on students and families who have had difficulty with typical school settings — including newcomers to the country. Serving students in grades 9-12, the Minnesota Internship Center will implement an experience-based model of learning whereby students integrate work experience with academic achievement. The Minnesota Internship Center Charter School will serve nearly 170 students, approximately half of whom will be recent immigrants.
• New City School — New City School will open in Minneapolis and serve students in grades K-6 adding a grade each year up to the 8th grade. Adopting the Responsive Classroom approach, New City School will create a learning community that is diverse, knowledgeable, thinking, and caring. The school will serve as a demonstration site for best practices in the integration of social and academic learning.
• Nova Classical Academy — Nova Classical Academy promises to offer its learners “a classical education for a new century.” The classical model of education encompasses purpose, goals, method, content, and philosophy of education. Nova Classical Academy will open in St. Paul and initially serve students in grades K-6 but plans to expand yearly through grade 12. Approximately 160 students are currently enrolled.
• Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy — With a waiting list already established, Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy will serve approximately 200 students in grades K-5 by providing a learning environment that recognizes and appreciates personal histories and traditions while helping with integration into American society and preserving individual cultural identity. Opening in Inver Grove Heights, the school’s mission is to help students understand their stewardship role in the world as tolerant and cooperative leaders and citizens.
• TrekNorth High School — This 9-12 school located in Bemidji will utilize experiential learning by emphasizing student-driven projects, service learning, and outdoor adventure. Sponsored by Volunteers of America, TrekNorth High School’s mission is to prepare young people to make a positive difference in their local and global communities. Approximately 160 students are registered to begin this Fall.
• Urban Academy — Opening in St. Paul, Urban Academy will initially serve students in grades K-3 with anticipated growth to grades K-6. Urban Academy will provide a curriculum and framework in multiculturalism and urban teaching and learning. The mission of Urban Academy is to work in partnership with urban parents to provide an opportunity for every child to meet or exceed his or her individual potential in basic academic and life skills in a safe, structured, and respectful community. Urban Academy will initially serve approximately 165 students.
• Voyageurs Expeditionary High School — The mission of Voyageurs Expeditionary High School is to prepare young people for positive world citizenship through small class size, experiential learning, community service, and the promotion of a culture of best effort, high expectation, collaboration, and intentional diversity. Housed in the Concordia Language Villages near Bemidji, Voyageurs is sponsored by Audubon Center of the Northwoods. Voyageurs Expeditionary High School will initially serve approximately 60 students in grades 9 and 10 with anticipated growth to grades 9-12.