June 2011

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◦ Added Spanish instruction

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)

2010/11– Water◦ Physical aspects of water, watercolor painting,

marine & aquatic animals, wetlands 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

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 125 field work experiences this year◦ Weekly trips to neighborhood resources (e.g. Community

Garden, Cottonwood Bay)◦ Library trips at all grade levels (monthly)◦ Art experiences

Photography trips 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 District Court Local businesses/community partners (e.g. Portland Streetcar &

Metro) Portland connections – Chinatown, Downtown, Beverly Cleary

neighborhood

State tests◦ 100% participation◦ Past three year have had 90%+ meeting or exceeding in

reading, math & writing◦ High points this year

Met or exceeded state average in Reading – 4th, 6th, 7th

Math – 4th

Science – 5th

Writing – 4th

67% of those testing have been at SWCS for 2 years or less 19% of those testing have IEPs

Create portfolios of student work Use pre/post tests in many subjects Narrative report cards Northwest Evaluation Association (MAP tests) – 2011/12

Project-based rubrics Individualized student goals Create portfolios of student work Use pre/post tests in many subjects Narrative report cards Northwest Evaluation Association (MAP

tests) – 2011/12

Gender◦ 65% Boys◦ 35% Girls

Race/ethnicity◦ 6% Hispanic/Latino◦ 3% American Indian◦ 2% Asian◦ 4% African American◦ 85% White

19% of families reported a household income less than $30,000/year in SY2009/10

Students represent 9 different school districts◦ 72% from Portland Public Schools

18% disabled or identified with special needs

14% of our current students have IEPs

Represent 4 districts

Steady growth in IEP students every year

Teachers specialize◦ Science & math◦ Language arts & social studies

Students work more intensively in field◦ Metro project w/ Streetcars in 2009/2010◦ Water testing & Civil Rights projects in 2010/2011◦ Internships (February-June)

Electives◦ Woodworking, photography, painting, drawing,

filmmaking◦ Drama – The Mousetrap & Scenes from the Dream

Student teachers◦ Beginning relationships with local universities

Place-based Learning◦ Participate/present with Lewis & Clark’s PBE

Consortium Community Partnerships

◦ Portland Parks & Recreation◦ Metro◦ SW Business Association◦ SW Neighborhood Association◦ Other local charters◦ Two local churches

“I would be lost without SWCS.” – 4th grade student

“I have learned more than I thought was possible.”

-5th grade student

“SWCS has been an epic and astonishing expedition.”

-8th grade student