1. December 2012

2.  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

3.  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

4.  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

5.  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

6.  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

7.  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

8.  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

9.  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

10.  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

11.  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

12.  State tests ◦ 100% participation ◦ High points this year  Met or exceeded state average in  Reading – 3 rd, 5 th, 6 th, 8th  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

13.  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

14.  Areas where SWCS students exceeded NWEA norms at Spring test: ReadingMathLanguage 2 nd 3 rd 5 th 4 th 7 th 5 th 8 th 6 th 7 th 8 th

15.  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

16.  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

17.  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

18.  11% of our current students have IEPs  7 have 504 plans  6 are currently being evaluated

19.  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

20.  8 th grade student won the Weekly Reader National Student Non-fiction Writing Contest  Elise Gonsalves

21.  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

22. “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