Educational Philosophy

CORE VALUES ON TEACHING AND LEARNING

  1. All students can learn.
  2. All students will participate in a rigorous, standards-based and results-driven curriculum that facilitates life-long academic and professional growth.
  3. All students will be accountable for their own educational path, personal relationships and growth of their community.
  4. All stakeholders abide by the principle of “each one teach one”, responsible not only for our own success and learning, but that of our community and classmates as well.

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY AND APPROACH

  1. All students can learn if given the opportunity to participate in a rigorous, standards-based and results-driven curriculum that facilitates life-long academic and professional growth. Every child can learn if given the opportunity. Our nation’s best schools have clearly demonstrated that standards-based and results driven curriculum – if combined with sound data analysis practices – can lead to significant gains in student achievement. Through the use of strong standards and the regular collection of data, Sojourner Truth Academy students will fulfill both the Louisiana State graduation requirements and the A-G requirements (the most stringent graduation requirements for top four-year universities in the nation). Sojourner Truth Academy will use both internal and State assessments to ensure that students meet their academic goals. Additionally, all students will be able to speak and write eloquently using academic language to defend a thesis or point of view; use historical knowledge to analyze, evaluate and discuss current social and political events; and defend and evaluate mathematic and scientific problems using appropriate formulas and methodology.
  2. A strong school culture must be based on accountability, collective responsibility and personal growth – all of which must be supported by consistently applied discipline practices. At Sojourner Truth Academy, all students must feel accountable for their own educational path, as well as the education paths of their classmates. Additionally, all students must be prepared to learn from their mistakes and constantly strive for self-improvement. In order for this to happen, students must feel that the school is safe, supportive and reliable. Sojourner Truth Academy’s discipline policies will be consistently applied school-wide so as to ensure that this nurturing environment is created. Daily advisory periods with small class sizes will support the development and sustainability of this culture.
  3. Extended time for learning will drive increases in student achievement. New Orleans children will enter Sojourner Truth Academy numerous grade levels behind. It will therefore be vital that the school offers these children more time to learn. Sojourner Truth Academy will offer an extended school day with remedial intervention and an extended school year with a summer school intervention. This extra time will not be wasted – rather, it will efficiently and effectively be used to conduct remediation in weaknesses that have been diagnosed through formal and informal assessments.
  4. Social Justice cultivates conscientious, successful student-leaders. Cross-curricular themes have enabled schools nationwide to attain superior results in student academic success. The theme of social justice will be applied in lessons and culture throughout the school year, culminating with the Community Organizing graduation project. Social Justice fosters within students a greater sense of responsibility when the actions of individuals are inextricably linked to the fate of those around them. Facilitating an environment in which students experience the empowerment of changing the lives of others for the better --through volunteerism, fundraising, community organizing and interacting respectfully-- enables students to pursue academic success with confidence and a fundamental understanding of the far-reaching implications of their college careers.
  5. Parental involvement as a key to continuous student success. Parents are an essential resource to any school; stronger parent support will result in increases in student achievement. To facilitate this support, Sojourner Truth Academy will develop a Parent Center that will be located on campus and used as a resource room for parents to conduct meetings, network and stay involved in campus life. We will heavily recruit from our parent base to fill classified positions on campus. Parents will be invited and encouraged to participate in professional development activities, data meetings, and school leadership councils (Shared Decision Making).