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Federa~ Priorities 2007 <br />Springfield Public Schools <br />Academy of Arts and Academics - <br />Request <br />Springfield Public Schools (SPS) requests $600,000 to support the full <br />implementation of the Academy of Arts and Academics (A3). A3 is a <br />small, academically rigorous high school with an emphasis on the Springfield ', <br />.arts. A3 is atop-priority project for the district and community because AC1dCIII of Arts <br />it targets traditionally underserved students and represents a key Y <br />component in the revitalization of downtown Springfield. A3's program and ACademiCS , <br />provides challenging, personalized learning that prepares all students for college.. The . <br />requested funds wilt be used to provide the equipment, expertise, and training essential to A3's_ <br />long-term. success. <br />School Curriculum .and .Organization <br />A3's curriculum blends rigorous academics with professional-level media, theater arts, and <br />visual arts to propel learning, .engage. passion,.. and empower transformation. A3's small size <br />enables site-based .governance, innovative program delivery, quality adult-student relationships, <br />:and student-centered practices. designed to engage and retain all students, without exception. <br />The Academy is an opportunity for students who need a small, personalized environment to <br />reach their full potential, and for those who will flourish in a .small arts-based school with a <br />college prep curriculum. <br />The decision to launch A3 came in response to the District's strong. <br />commitment to the arts and the urgent need for research-based delivery <br />models to engage- students, as identified in the Springfield Quality <br />Education Model (S-QEM). A3 students come from diverse. backgrounds, <br />. including many who were not in Springfield schools last year (20 percent) <br />and many. others who were struggling within. a larger school setting. <br />' Student .interviews reveal a renewed interest and excitement about being <br />in school. About 48 percent of the students are currently holding a GPA <br />of 3.0 or better, and early reports indicate retention levels that far surpass <br />those of the larger high schools. The District is confident that this fresh <br />approach to learning will lead to increased student achievement and, <br />ultimately, more students graduating work-and college-ready. <br />A3's curriculum is designed to .accomplish these goals using arts-based- projects that connect <br />academic content and real-world issues, wrapped around core skills in math, science, and the <br />humanities. Literacy is a centerpiece ofthe curriculum. - - <br />This integrated approach has many benefits for both students and community members. For <br />example, a group of students can partner with hospital staff to create an educational video for <br />teenagers on the dangers of methamphetamine. To script the video, students research -and <br />~. synthesize information on the politics, culture, and economy of the drug. They also study the <br />chemical of aspects of addiction and recovery. The students screen the video for an audience of <br />teens and then lead a discussion. The result: students accumulate practical, real-world skills, <br />assessed by professionals with high expectations, that they can carry to college and beyond. <br />Education c`~ Pu~i~ie Heath <br />19 <br />