Strong Schools, Strong Communities updates

Since the Strong Schools, Strong Communities strategic plan was first introduced, students, parents and community members have brought forward numerous comments and suggestions. Based on that feedback and further analysis, the Board of Education was presented with amendments to the plan that do not jeopardize the main objective, which is to increase achievement for all students.

• Benjamin E. Mays International Magnet School and Highland Park Elementary will continue to serve all of Area F. There will be no division of Area F for the Primary Years Program International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. When students articulate to IB at the middle and high school levels, they will follow the regional articulation based on their home address.
• Capitol Hill Gifted and Talented Magnet will have a Gifted / Talented articulation at Highland Park Senior High School.
• Four Seasons A+ Elementary will relocate to the former site of Longfellow.
• Early Child Family Education program at Highland Junior High School will be relocated to the Homecroft site. 
• L'Etoile du Nord French Immersion will remain located on the East Side in a dual-campus configuration between the former sites of Ames Elementary and Prosperity Heights Elementary.
• Nokomis Montessori Magnet will become a dual-campus with its current location and the former site of Sheridan Elementary.
• Open World Learning Community will continue to serve students in grades six through 12 for at least two years while it is determined whether a viable middle school program exists in that program. 

The Committee of the Board voted to forward the following motions for action at the regular Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, March 15, 2011.

• That the Saint Paul Public Schools operate schools with the following grade configurations, according to the implementation timeline proposed in the Strong Schools, Strong Communities Strategic Plan, as amended on March 1, 2011.
• K-8 or 1-8: Kindergarten or first grade through eighth grade
• Elementary: Kindergarten through fifth grade
• Middle: Sixth grade through eighth grade
• Secondary: Sixth grade through 12th grade
• Senior High: Ninth grade through 12th grade
• K-12: Kindergarten through 12th grade (Bridge View special education)

• That, for purposes of transportation, the Saint Paul Public Schools define six geographic Areas, A through F, within the City of Saint Paul; assign each community school to a single Area; assign regional or district magnet schools to serve one or more Areas; and for purposes of school assignment direct the Administration by September 30, 2011 to establish individual community school attendance preference areas as proposed in the Strong Schools, Strong Communities Strategic Plan and timeline as amended on March 1, 2011.

• That the Saint Paul Public Schools provide articulation for the following programs through the following grades:
• American Indian Language and Culture: Kindergarten through 12th grade
• Arts: Kindergarten through 12th grade
• Gifted and Talented: First through 12th grade
• Hmong Studies Language and Culture: Kindergarten through 12th grade
• International Baccalaureate (PYP-MYP-IB): Kindergarten through 12th grade
• Language Immersion - French: Kindergarten through 12th grade
• Language Immersion - Spanish: Kindergarten through 12th grade
• Language Immersion - Chinese: Final grade configuration TBD
• Montessori: Kindergarten through eighth grade
• Aerospace: Kindergarten through 12th grade  

• That the Saint Paul Public Schools discontinue the grades Kindergarten through fifth at Open World Learning Community effective June 30, 2011; and grades Kindergarten through sixth at Museum Magnet and World Cultures magnet schools effective June 30, 2012.

• And that the Committee of the Board adopt a resolution approving the comprehensive Strong Schools, Strong Communities Strategic Plan and implementation timeline, as proposed and amended on March 1, 2011.

The Board of Education is expected to take action on the Strong Schools, Strong Communities at the Tuesday, March 15, 2011 regular Board of Education meeting. To see the complete presentation of Tuesday night's update, click here.