All About UsSchool Information Sojourner Truth Academy is a K-6 public charter elementary school in North Minneapolis with proven academic and fiscal records. Established by parents and community members in 1999, we continue to offer our students a data driven, balanced curriculum with a highly qualified staff that is supported through the Teacher Advancement Program. Our student population of 269 is 24% Hispanic and 75% African American with less than 2% Caucasian and Native American students. Twenty-three percent do not speak English as their primary language. Over 90% of our students qualify for free or reduced lunch benefits. Direct instruction, Scott Foresman Math, Core Knowledge, Read Naturally and Responsive Classroom are educational programs we use to provide a comprehensive, balanced approach to teaching. Our inter-disciplinary, cooperative instruction with school-wide Spanish, art, physical education, music and the computer lab allow us to provide a well rounded education while maintaining a focus on reading, writing and math. Our small class size of 22 students or fewer allows the flexibility required to give individual attention to each student’s academic and social needs. Dedicated staff provides a friendly, open, inclusive atmosphere students and families deserve. Free, all-day kindergarten helps us prepare students more thoroughly for the expectations of the upper grades. Monthly parent events, after school enrichment, an on-site, full-time social worker, ESL program, and Special Education program give us the opportunity to build real relationships and supply students and families with the support they need, when they need it. For more about the school, contact Executive Director Julie Guy 612-588-3599 jguy@sojournertruthacademy.org Professional DevelopmentOur school takes part in TAP, the Teacher Advancement Program. Each year the leadership team at STA reviews and analyzes data to help write our school improvement plan. The school improvement plan focuses on a needed area of academic growth. During the 2006-2007 school year our focus was Math and will be again this year. Although the number of students reaching proficiency in the area of math on the MCA II increased by 10% last school year, there is still room for improvement. The staff at STA is dedicated to increasing the number of students proficient again this year. TAP provides a structure for our teachers where they receive weekly, job-embedded professional development. Each week, teachers attend a 90-minute student strategy focused cluster meeting. During these meetings teachers learn research-based student strategies and develop lessons to implement the strategies in their classrooms to help improve student achievement. Teachers receive support and feedback from two master teachers on staff. School OverviewMale: 132 (51%) Female: 127 (47%) Students of Color 254 (98%) Minority Breakdown: LEP: 56 (23%) Poverty: 245 (92.5%) Special Ed: 28 (11%) Mobility: 30% Number of Teachers: 26 Certified Teachers: 26 Board Make-up: 4 licensed teachers, 2 Parents Attendance: 96% Last Financial Audit: 2006-2007 NWEA and MCA II AssessmentsEach year STA students participate in taking the NWEA and MCA II assessments. These assessments are aligned to the Minnesota State Standards. Sojourner Truth Academy students continue to make progress each year in the areas of Reading and Math. Staff is dedicated to learning and implementing subject specific strategies in each area to help increase student proficiency. |
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