Pan American Academy Charter School: Preparing Youth for Global Leadership
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Transcript of Pan American Academy Charter School: Preparing Youth for Global Leadership
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Preparing Youth
for Global Leadership
In partnership with Congreso
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Pan American Academy educates internationally minded students who strive to create a more harmonious world. Through building character, expanding perspectives, and inspiring excellence, our global leaders are
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BIENVENIDOSWelcome AmigosPan American Academy is a dream come true, providing me with the opportunity
to educate amazing students in eastern North Philadelphia. A few years ago
we imagined a school where students would acquire a world-class education.
Community leaders, corporate partners, parents and educators joined together
to create a vision to empower students to reach their academic and social
potential by developing into inquiring, bilingual, intercultural citizens of the
global community.
I moved to Philadelphia from Puerto Rico when I was in sixth grade. It was very
difficult to find my way in this strange new environment where only English
was spoken. A dedicated teacher recognized my potential and encouraged me
to work hard. It is because of her and my experiences in school that I am the
educator that I am today. I see myself in our students and wish for them the
same success.
Throughout my career, I dreamed of leading a new kind of school that combined
an environment of academic excellence with cultural relevance for students in
my own neighborhood. A school in which bilingualism is achieved through a
dual language program. A school where passionate, knowledgeable, dedicated
teachers inspire students. And a school where a community is united in a shared
commitment. Pan American Academy is that dream.
When I see the promise that shines within our students it invokes a quote by the
abolitionist heroine Harriet Tubman: Every great dream begins with a dreamer.
Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience,
and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.
Dream with us to transform our students world!
Atentamente,
Wanda Novals
CEO
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Visionary leadership, talented teachers,
committed parents and invested community
partners have been the key to our success.
Board Member
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After decades of helping families remedy educational failures
through supportive programs, Congreso decided to create
the opportunity for success in the classroom itself. Today our
partnership immensely improves the odds for Pan American
students and their families.
Ken Trujillo, Congreso Board Chair
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HISTORIAPan American Academy is a K through 8 charter school founded by Congreso
in September 2008. Governed by a committed Board of Trustees, Pan American
Academy provides high-quality education to over 700 students in eastern
North Philadelphia.
A vibrant community that is home to the citys largest concentration of Latinos,
eastern North Philadelphia is also the citys poorest neighborhood. Given that
60% of Philadelphia Latinos live in poverty and lack a high school diploma,
an innovative approach was crucial to address the needs of the next generation.
Congreso created a charter school that incorporated comprehensive supports
into the educational model to help the communitys vulnerable children excel
in school and beyond.
Our history
The Congreso ConnectionCongreso is a nationally recognized,
community-based organization
whose mission is to strengthen
Latino communities through social,
economic, education and health
services; leadership development;
and advocacy.
Congreso embraces our vision that
academic achievement is enhanced
when our students and families
are safe, healthy and economically
secure. Congreso helps us build
this foundation by integrating social
services within our school, as well
as through programs available on
Congresos campus, where Pan
American Academy is located. Case
management, counseling and crises
services; afterschool and summer
programs; and health and workforce
development initiatives stabilize our
families so they can thrive.
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Percentage of unexcused absences prevented by on-site health care services70%
I got six Cheetah Paws today. I got some for being
accountable. I listened to the teacher when I was supposed
to. Kids who are good get Cheetah Paws and if you get
a lot you can win a prize.
Kindergarten Student
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Our Teachers Lead The Way Teachers model a caring attitude by nurturing relationships with students
and their families. In late summer teachers conduct home visits to review
expectations for academics and behavior. During the school year teachers post
curricula, assignments and grades online and make daily phone calls home.
At the end of each trimester, teachers deliver and discuss report cards face to
face. Such professionalism, commitment and transparency reinforce a principled
approach to excellence in educationan example for our students to emulate.
Healthy Minds Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) is the framework within which we foster
a respectful and cooperative learning environment. We address classroom
management issues by constantly reinforcing our school-wide expectations.
With respect and a positive tone of voice, we provide students with more praise
than correction, and we reward good behavior. Our positive approach instills
in students the importance of being reflective about their learning and actions.
Healthy Bodies The Wellness Center delivers health care services within the school setting.
Our goal is to improve health outcomes by providing better access to health
care and reducing time spent out of school due to illness. Experienced nurse
practitioners, who are authorized to provide primary care also prescribe and
dispense medication, conduct health screenings, and facilitate referrals.
They also stage health fairs at which students learn about healthy lifestyles
and even receive dental care.
CARCTERBuilding character is our balanced approach to education, which encompasses rigorous and challenging curricula as well as keen attention to the physical and mental well-being of our students.
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75%of Pan American Academy staff are bilingual or bicultural
Research indicates that students who receive second
language instruction are more creative and better at solving complex problems
than those who do not.
Bamford and Mizokawa, 1991
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PERSPECTIVASExpanding perspectives is the hallmark of internationally minded students and the driving force behind Pan American Academys curricular framework.
Inquiry-Based Learning We believe that authentic learning occurs when it is linked to the real world.
As such, we engage our students in transdisciplinary units that are engaging,
relevant, challenging and globally significant. Our students are inquirers who
acquire knowledge and skills and thinkers who search for deeper meaning and
understanding. Structured inquiry-based projects also encourage students to
be risk-takers by making connections to self, school, home and community.
Their discoveries shed light on the shared human experience as well as their
unique place in the world.
Dual Language Program Ours is a 50/50 two-way immersion model, meaning that instruction in core
content areas is provided 50% in English and 50% in Spanish. The cornerstone
of our model is the equal status of the two languages, cultures and groups
of students. Our goal is to develop open-minded students who have deep
awareness of their own and others histories and worldviews. We aim to
nurture effective communicators who have insight into and appreciation
of other cultures, further demonstrated by their fluency in two languages.
Dual Language Program
Wellness Center
Internationally-focused inquiry-based curriculum
Community-based partnership (mental health and social services provided by Congreso)
School District of Philadelphia
Pan American Academy
C O M P A R A T I V E F E A T U R E S
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I feel energized. Im encouraged to
be creative with the curriculum, and Ive got a great team of teachers to work with. Todos son
muy simpticos.
Pan American Academy Teacher
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EXCELENCIAInspiring excellence begins by recruiting, developing, motivating and retaining talented teachers. They empower our students to develop into knowledgeable citizens of the world, poised for global action.
Professional Development Because Pan American Academy believes that teacher quality is the most
important factor impacting student achievement, leadership invests significantly
in professional development. Initiatives include mentoring new teachers;
coaching grade-level teams; collaborative curriculum development and
lesson planning time each week; and constructive evaluations reflecting clear
evidence-based standards. We also reward our teachers with performance-based
compensation directly tied to student academic growth.
Our Challenging CurriculumRigorous curricula in literature, math, science, and history are enhanced by
courses in art, music, technology and physical education. Our philosophy of
including English language learners (ELLs) and students whose education is
guided by an IEP ensures that all our students are prepared to contribute as
global citizens and to compete in the global market.
Pan American Academy makes Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) consistently by demonstrating growth towards the performance and participation goals set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This chart compares the growth in student achievement among Pan American students and students citywide and across Pennsylvania. (pvaas.sas.com)
AYP Goals
Pan American
Reading Math
0
1
2
3
4
Philadelphia State
GR
OW
TH
ME
AS
UR
E
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APOYOSupport us in our dream to transform our students world. Pan American Academy seeks partners to help us
Develop academic interventions aimed at increasing reading proficiency in both English and Spanish
Provide intensive, ongoing development for our professional staff
Build a library collection to support and supplement our inquiry-based, dual language, intercultural curricula
Create a state-of-the-art technology center to bridge the digital divide
Build capacity to provide primary medical care to students and their parents
Provide international experience for our graduating students
Our academic
goal:
98%of students achieve proficiency in reading and mathIts difficult for parents to
make wise decisions about their childrens future. So I carefully
researched the school and spoke to many parents. And I always
got the same response: everyone loves Pan American Academy!
I am so excited that my child will be attending in the fall.
New Pan American Parent
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Learn more about our dream by visiting
panamericanacademy.org
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2830 North American Street | Philadelphia, PA 19133 t 215.425.1212 www.panamericanacademy.org
In partnership with