Update to State Board of Education December 2012

Educational Philosophy 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

Why Southwest Charter School? 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

History of Southwest Charter 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

History of Southwest Charter 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

History of Southwest Charter 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

History of Southwest Charter 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

History of Southwest Charter 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 7 th/8 th ◦ Began long-term strategic planning ◦ ◦ ◦

Annual Themes 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

Field Work 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

Field Work 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

Student Assessment State tests ◦ 100% participation ◦ High points this year Met or exceeded state average in Reading – 3 rd, 5 th, 6 th, 8 th Math – 5 th, 6 th, 8 th Science – 5 th & 8 th 15% of those testing have IEPs Percent meeting/exceeding standards this year improved in: ◦ Reading – 3 rd, 5 th, 8 th ◦ Math – 3 rd, 5 th, 6 th, 7 th, 8 th ◦ Science – 5 th, 8 th

Student Assessment 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

Student Assessment Areas where SWCS students exceeded NWEA norms at Spring test: Reading Math Language 2 nd 3 rd 3 rd 5 th 4 th 7 th 5 th 8 th 6 th 7 th 8 th

Student Assessment 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

Student Demographics 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

Student Demographics 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

Students with Disabilities 11% of our current students have IEPs 7 have 504 plans 6 are currently being evaluated

Grades 7 & 8 at SWCS 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

Grades 7 & 8 at SWCS 8 th grade student won the Weekly Reader National Student Non-fiction Writing Contest Elise Gonsalves

Reaching Out 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

Final Thoughts “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