Four Tacoma schools – Stafford Elementary School, Lincoln Center, Science and Math Institute and Tacoma School of the Arts – made the exclusive inaugural list of 22 Washington Innovative Schools, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn announced today at the Washington State School Directors’ Association’s annual meeting.
No other school district had more than two schools on the Innovative Schools list. Tacoma Public Schools has a history of supporting and creating innovative schools.
The Legislature directed Dorn to identify existing schools in Washington that have implemented “bold, creative and innovative” ideas. The new Washington Innovative Schools program celebrates the state’s most inventive and exciting school models. HB 1521 and E2SHB 1546 directed OSPI to develop the
criteria and the process to recognize existing innovative schools and create new innovative schools and programs.
“We are obviously opening doors in Tacoma to give staff the freedom and support to follow their educational dreams. In turn, that creates tremendous options and choices for our students,” said Superintendent Art Jarvis. “I am thrilled to see four Tacoma schools recognized in this effort out of 22 schools honored in the entire state. That’s more than any other district has.”
“Of course, I also believe we have even more that should be acknowledged throughout our district, but these four are certainly a wonderful representation of the present spirit in Tacoma schools. I am a proud superintendent.”
To be designated as an Innovative School, schools submitted an online application through the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Web site.
The applications were evaluated by a review panel that included two principals, a former school district superintendent, a regional Teacher of the Year, two STEM educators and a representative from the Washington Education Association and OSPI. The panel reviewed the applications based on specified criteria and a scoring rubric. The panel’s recommendations were submitted to OSPI, and 22 schools were selected.
The identified schools have high expectations for students and teachers, provide students with an array of educational options, and partner with families and their communities.
“Every one of the 22 schools we’ve chosen should be proud of what they’re accomplishing,” Dorn said. “I hope they can serve as guides for other schools to follow. They come from all over the state and show a level of innovation that greatly impressed me.”
According to the OPSI Web site:
Helen B. Stafford Elementary School, Principal Cynthia Evans
Helen B. Stafford Elementary promotes authentic learning through excellent instruction and community involvement. Stafford provides high-quality education supported by superior technology. Students are challenged to demonstrate mastery through performance, projects, technology and the arts, as well as through traditional venues. Stafford integrates the arts as both an element for broadening student engagement, as a powerful method for leveling the playing field and boosting the self-confidence of ELL students, and as a method for enhancing learning and engagement for all students. Stafford also focuses on creating a climate in which students and families feel safe and supported. Many teachers at Stafford loop with students and are experienced in instruction at multiple grade levels, making for strong cross-grade level connections and enhanced knowledge of students’ needs and strengths.
Lincoln Center, Co-principals Greg Eisnaugle and Patrick Erwin
Lincoln Center’s focus is to get every student ready for post-secondary success by giving them the skills to succeed in college at any level. Lincoln is Tacoma’s most ethnically diverse high school with the highest proportion of its student body qualifying for free and reduced lunches. Lincoln Center is a unique college-preparatory school-within-a-school within Lincoln High School and draws from many ideas garnered from nationally prominent high-performing charter-school projects such as the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) and Geoffrey Canada’s Harlem Children’s Zone.
Lincoln Center students attend an extended day from 7:35 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, attend a summer school program which begins in August, and several days of Saturday school each month. LC acts as a kind of onsite research and development program, an idea generator for teaching and learning in the rest of the school, and a program that infuses knowledge and energy into the school as a whole.
Science and Math Institute (SAMI), Co-directors Jon Ketler and Kristin Tinder
The mission of the Science and Math Institute (SAMI) is to provide a creative path of learning that emphasizes individual expression and growth through science and mathematics as central elements in academic achievement and life-long endeavors. SAMI aims to:
· Stimulate higher-level thinking and problem solving skills
· Provide advanced training science and math
· Prepare students to meet the challenges of the 21st century
· Include experiential and innovative approaches to learning
· Use both public and private facilities
· Connect students to the larger community
SAMI creates an inclusive high school learning community that provides integrated, inquiry-based experiences utilizing our natural and community resources, combining science, mathematics and the arts. SAMI is an all-day high school program that includes a full selection of high level science, math, technology and engineering course work as part of the academic day. The curriculum is college preparatory and project-based, and students typically take eight classes.
Tacoma School of the Arts (SOTA), Co-directors Jon Ketler and Paul Kelly
The mission of the Tacoma School of the Arts (SOTA) is to sustain an urban center offering a creative path of learning, which emphasizes human expression through the visual and performing arts as central elements in academic achievement and lifelong endeavors. SOTA aims to:
· Stimulate higher-level thinking and problem solving skills
· Provide advanced training in the arts
· Prepare students to meet the challenges of the 21st century
· Include experiential and innovative approaches to learning
· Use both public and private facilities
· Connect students to the larger community
· Build this creative learning community in Tacoma’s urban core
SOTA is an all-day high school program that includes a full selection of visual and performing arts as part of the academic day. The curriculum is college preparatory and project-based, and students typically take eight classes. Students enter as sophomores and choose one of nine art majors (dance, theatre, vocal music, traditional music, alternative music, audio recording and songwriting, painting and drawing, graphics, photography and video) around which academic studies focus. In addition to the eight full-time arts teaching staff, the school contracts with adjunct artists, who teach an additional five sections of art. Additional offerings include Hip-Hop, Jazz and Advanced Graphic Design.