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