Information on the Participating Schools
Mission
Our mission is to provide an exemplary, individualized early childhood educational program for all preschoolers, with and without special needs. Our developmentally appropriate, family and child-centered educational program nurtures students and expands their skills and abilities, building a foundation for life-long learning.
Philosophy
At Bridges we believe in the value of an educational experience shared by students of different backgrounds, interests and abilities. An inclusive education is beneficial to all of the students who have the opportunity to participate. Inclusion builds compassionate relationships among students, develops self-esteem in individuals, and develops the awareness that everyone has strengths and challenges. Ideally 50% of our student body will be typically developing, and 50% will have special needs. Bridges is an inclusive preschool and pre-Kindergarten program for children ages 3-5 years old.
Inclusion supports the right of all children, regardless of their diverse abilities, to participate actively in natural settings within their communities. A natural setting is one in which the child would spend time had he or she not had a disability. Such settings include, but are not limited to, home and family, play groups, child care, nursery schools, HeadStart programs, kindergarten, and neighborhood school classrooms. (from The National Association for the Education of Young Children’s position statement on Inclusion.)
History
The founding group consists of three DC residents with a combined 28 years of professional experience in education, advocacy and commitment to the education of young children. From our professional experience, we found a need in the DC community for additional child and family-centered early learning programs that focus upon early intervention to ensure future school success.
Location
1250 Taylor Street NW
Washington, DC 20011
E.L .Haynes opened in August 2004 and is the first public school in Washington, DC to use a year-round calendar. Haynes served 163 Pre-K to 3rd graders in 2005-2006, serves 190 Pre-K to 4th graders in 2006-2007 and will continue to grow until it serves more than 650 students in grades Pre-K to 12.
E.L. Haynes' mission is:
- To ensure that every Haynes student will attain high levels of academic achievement and succeed at the college of his or her choice;
- To eliminate the achievement gaps related to the race, gender, home language, and socioeconomics of our diverse student body;
- To serve as a model school by demonstrating that all students can succeed academically; and
- To impact the academic achievement of DC public school students through training school professionals.
Core Program Elements
- We provide an oustanding teacher for every student every year. We are a professional learning community where teachers participate in extensive professional development. In order to ensure the availability of the highest quality teachers, we develop new exceptional teaching talent through our Teaching Excellence fellowship program which includes completing American University's AQUE Certification Program.
- We provide extensive programming outside of school-time hours. In addition to the mandated 1,200 hours of education that every DC student receives, our students have access to an additional 1,000 educational hours through our before-school, after-school, and Intersession programming. Eighty percent of our students participate in these programs. Every Title I student can attend these programs free of charge and 100% of Title I students participate, ensuring that we are leveling the playing field for our students.
- We are data-driven. Through ongoing student assessments and carefully-developed systems, we track and promote growth for every one of our students. Thus, we can ensure that every student succeeds and will be ready to attend the college of his or her choice upon graduation from Haynes.
Student Achievement (2005-2006 School Year)
- 86% of all Haynes students reached the end-of-year benchmarks in reading and 93% gained a year or more according to results from the Developmental Reading Assessment.
- 100% of our English language learning students met their target for reading and writing.
- In our annual parent survey, Haynes parents demonstrated how pleased they are with the school's curriculum, instruction, teachers, administration, and overall performance by giving the school a satisfaction rating that averaged 4.7 out of a possible 5.
- Our success was validated earlier this year when we scored "Exemplary" in every aspect of the District of Columbia Public Charter School Board's annual review, including curriculum, instruction, assessment, school climate, governance, and management. E.L. Haynes was one out of only two schools to recieve the highest rating possible
Founded in 2002, Eagle Academy Public Charter School (PCS) is Washington DC’s first early childhood public charter school. Our school educates children, ages 3 years old through kindergarten. The school approaches each child through a holistic framework. We educate the socio-emotional development of the child with equal vigor and comprehensiveness as the academic portion. The instructional program is thematic and allows children to master the various academic skills and knowledge within the context of thematic, child centered play. Children progress at their own rate and will be ready for first grade when they graduate.
Starting Early, Soaring High...
Eagle Academy PCS’s mission is to have each student ready socially, emotionally, personally, and academically to succeed in elementary school, high school, and to succeed in adult life.
Curriculum
Eagle Academy PCS’s curriculum incorporates academics into the natural play of children to enhance each child’s innate abilities. Activities are structured so that children can learn through interaction with materials, other children and adults.
Our progressive programs ensure that your child will be ready to read and do mathematics – key building blocks for success in elementary and high school. In addition, your child will learn to interact with others, be self-confident and be part of the school community. Overall, your child will develop a love for learning, and will love going to school!
Strengths
Eagle Academy PCS incorporates the following into its programs to ensure each child and every child will flourish:
- Low student to teacher ratio
- Child centered curriculum
- Individual development
- Clear academic goals
- Active learning methods
- Reading/language arts
- Mathematics
- Foreign language (Spanish)
- Physical education (swimming, etc.)
- Multi-cultural and inclusive classrooms
- Frequent progress assessments
- Educational monthly field trips
- High level of parent involvement and support
