Purpose & Philosophy

In accord with stated purposes of Minnesota charter school legislation, Schoolcraft Learning Community intends to:

1. Improve pupil learning
2. Increase learning opportunities for students
3. Encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods
4. Require the measurement of learning outcomes and create different and innovative forms of measuring outcomes
5. Establish new forms of accountability for schools
6. Create new professional opportunities for teachers including the opportunity to be responsible for the learning program at the school site

At Schoolcraft, these six purposes will be accomplished as follows:

1. We will improve pupil learning by:
   • developing an individualized, experiential, interdisciplinary educational curriculum that involves the student's family in setting and reaching goals
   • using rigorous small-group instruction in world languages, science, music and the visual arts.
2. We will increase learning opportunities for students by requiring the following for every student:
   • on-site world languages and culture instruction;
   • on-site voice, instrumental and art lessons;
   • on-site and off-site scientific and aesthetic study of the natural environment;
   • off-site participation in community and volunteer activities.
3. We will encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods by making it possible for teachers to be more flexible and creative in reaching the school's learning objectives. These methods may include the following:
   • longer school days and/or school year;
   • student and faculty travel as a component of academic study;
   • regular artistic performances involving all students;
   • creative scheduling of academic units of study (e.g., several weeks of intensive study centered on one topic or subject);
   • interdisciplinary units of study;
   • community service as an integral component of academic study;
   • multi-age classes;
   • opportunities for study with community experts, especially those whose expertise lies in any of the three areas of emphasis;
   • student involvement in and responsibility for some aspects of the curriculum and for their learning environment, which includes participation in the upkeep and maintenance of facilities, meal planning, cooking and serving;
   • a learning community emphasis on an individualized, holistic education, which includes curriculum units for students and their families, family advising and family activities involving students and staff;
   • site-based management administered by teachers;
   • holistic methods of student assessment.
4. We will require the measurement of learning outcomes and create different and innovative forms of measuring outcomes by:
   • administering nationally recognized pre- and post-tests in core subject areas at all grade levels. We are considering using the Stanford Achievement Test Series, 9th edition, standardized tests.
   • using student portfolios, self-evaluation, performance evaluations and narrative teacher evaluations.
5. We will require new forms of accountability by:
   • gathering data on student, teacher and family satisfaction;
   • outside evaluators' assessments; and
   • rigorous annual self-assessment.
6. We will create new professional opportunities for teachers, such as:
   • providing teachers with the opportunity to be responsible for the learning program at the school site by having teacher representation on the board of directors;
   • providing on-site workshops and seminars for teachers to improve their professional skills;
   • encouraging advanced study and presentations in innovative teaching methods and/or each teacher's subject area;
   • encouraging partnerships with universities so the school's teachers can collaborate and share their expertise with student teachers and education departments;
   • providing curriculum planning time and a high number of teacher's aides and volunteers to assist with the challenge of experiential learning.