User:Neko Suzie/Sojourner Truth Academy

Sojourner Truth Academy, of Minneapolis, MN is non-profit organization and charter school whose mission is to prepare children for the future by building confidence and a strong sense of self-worth through small classrooms and an open, safe, family-like environment. STA supports families by embracing change when necessary for the good of the children and serving as a bridge to the community. Staff at STA is dedicated to and held accountable for providing a learning experience that is culturally relevant, challenging and fun.

Sojourner Truth Academy is a k-6 elementary school founded in 1991 by concerned parents and community members looking for an alternative public education for the children of their community. The one school district serves over 90% impoverished students and their families, largely of African American and Hispanic descent.

Partnerships
Sojourner Truth Academy has made significant academic gains in the 2008-2009 school year that is attributed to recent structural changes and programmatic partnerships including participation in the LEAD for Charters a Cargill Charter Schools initiative ; the Minnesota Quality Compensation (Q-Comp) program as administered through the Teacher Advancement program ; and the school director's acceptance into the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs Leadership Academy for Charter and Alternative Schools. The culture of the school espouses a proven passion for working with urban youth and an unshakeable belief in their potential.

The school director and directors of curriculum and instruction were invited to Capitol Hill to testify to the United States Senate Committee on Education regarding the school's successful experience with the Teacher Advancement Program.

Sojourner Truth Academy's student population often arrives at the school one or more grade levels behind. The success story of their academic gains is in their demonstration of high growth from year to year and is less adequately measured through proficiency on state test standards alone.

The organization underwent a reorganization in 2008-2009 creating four departments including the lower and upper schools of curriculum and instruction, student and family life and finance and operations to optimize staff accountability. The need for the reorganization was revealed through participation in the LEAD for Charters program and facilitated by Cirlutions, LLC.

The success of the district has been awarded through grants from the Minnesota Department of Educations Charter School Facilities program, Minnesota Department of Education Technology grant, Boston Scientific, the Lutheran Volunteer Corps, an AmeriCorps Fellowship and continuing support from the Walter C. Rasmussen Foundation and the Milken Family Foundation.

Other notable partnerships with Sojourner Truth Academy include membership in the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools, Charter School Partners, Northpoint Health and Wellness Center, Planned Parenthood of Minnesota,......