SAI Systems

Over the last few months, several charter schools across the state have invited legislators to visit their schools as a way of promoting understanding about charter schools. One such school, Studio Academy in Rochester, has had two legislators visit the school. Senator Sheila Kiscaden and Representative Carla Nelson, both of District 30, recently spent some time with staff and students at Studio Academy.

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.”

Dedication Day this year marked the celebration of Community of Peace Academy’s 2003 National Schools of Character Award. As one of only ten schools in the nation to receive this award, Community of Peace Academy joins the ranks of schools across the country that are successfully demonstrating ethical, social, and academic development of students through character education. It is the first school in Minnesota to receive this award, which was presented to the school’s director, Dr. Karen Rusthoven, in Washington, D.C.Present at Community of Peace Academy for this year’s Dedication Day were several special guests including two students from each grade level, K-12, who were nominated by their homeroom teachers as Peace Builders of the Year — leaders in praising people, giving up put downs, seeking wise people, noticing and speaking up about hurtful behavior, and righting wrongs. In addition, Commissioner Cheri Pierson-Yecke, Representative Matt Entenza, and Senator Ellen Anderson were present to express their congratulations to the school. Kris Reiter, daughter of the late Saint Paul Councilman Jim Reiter, read one of the last resolutions passed by her father before he died, which officially named October 23, 2003 as Community of Peace Academy Day in the City of Saint Paul.Saint Paul Mayor Randy Kelly said of the recent award, “You don’t need to look any further than the morning newspaper or the evening newscast to see that character and moral leadership are all too often lacking at all levels and in many areas of our lives and our world. To be one of only ten schools in the entire nation to earn such an award is an exceptional achievement. On behalf of the people of Saint Paul, let me say we are very proud of you.”

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.

SAI is pleased to welcome eleven new schools to the charter school ranks this fall bringing the total number of schools in operation in the state of Minnesota to eighty-eight. These new schools build on the rich diversity already present in Minnesota’s charter school movement. The new schools include:

• 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.