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Our Model

PLA Academic Model .jpg
PLA Core competencies Map Chart_edited.j

High Quality Project Based Learning

What is Project Based Learning(PBL) and how does it benefit students?

  • Project Based Learning incorporates hands-on activities that are relevant to real-world issues and challenges. 

  • Students of color in particular benefit from this approach, as it makes learning more meaningful and relatable to their own experiences and culture.

PBL that is rooted in core competencies can significantly improve academic achievement in the following ways:

  • Relevance and Engagement: The hands-on and real-world application of learning connects students more deeply with their learning, providing the chance to put their academic knowledge into action.

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: PBL requires students to analyze complex problems and develop solutions, which fosters critical thinking skills.

  • Collaboration and Communication: PBL involves collaborative work, where students must communicate and work effectively with their peers.

  • Self-Directed Learning: PBL encourages students to take ownership of their learning by setting goals, managing their time, and making decisions about how to approach a project. 

  • Cross-Disciplinary Learning: PBL integrates multiple subjects and skills, giving students a more comprehensive understanding.

  • Assessment of Competencies: Competency-based assessment in PBL evaluates a student's ability to apply knowledge and skills rather than just rote memorization. 

  • Long-Term Retention: PBL often leads to deeper understanding and longer-term retention of information because students are actively involved in the learning process. 

Prioritized Focus on Literacy & Math

Prioritized Focus on Literacy

Students experience 30 additional minutes of reading daily, for an additional 2.5 hours per week. For 3-5, this includes small groups on components of literacy. For 6-12, students engage in independent reading. As well, parents work to ensure their student reads for an additional 10-30 minutes per day, creating a love for reading at home and at school.

 

Prioritized Focus on Math

Students also engage in 30 additional minutes of targeted math instruction, taught in small groups for an additional total of 2.5 hours per week, with an emphasis on conceptual understanding and problem-solving, leading to accuracy in application.

Parent Role

  • Ensure their child reads 10-30 min each day (or more!)

  • Read with them

  • Talk about reading and show interest in their child’s book

Teacher Role

  • Ensure every child has a high-interest, right-level book

  • Differentiate reading and math to boost student success

School Role

  • Provide lots of amazing books for students AND families

  • Create initiatives to ensure reading is happening at home

Social-Emotional Learning & Trauma-Informed Approaches

What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and how does it benefit students?

  • At Purpose Leadership Academy, SEL skills are nurtured in tandem with rigorous academic instruction.

  • SEL develops skills related to emotional awareness and regulation, building and sustaining relationships, and practicing responsible decision-making. 

  • SEL addresses various interpersonal factors that affect academic performance:
     

    • Improved Self-Awareness: By understanding their emotions better, students can manage stress and negative emotions more effectively.

    • Social Skills Development: The development of interpersonal skills like communication, empathy, and conflict resolution are essential for building positive relationships with teachers, peers, and family members. 

    • Emotional Regulation: Male students of color often face more external stressors related to discrimination, socioeconomic challenges, and community violence. SEL teaches emotional regulation techniques to help students cope with stress and anxiety in a healthy way.

    • Increased Engagement: Activities and discussions that make learning more engaging and relevant help students see the value in their education and feel more connected to their school community.

    • Reduced Behavioral Issues: Students of color are disproportionately affected by disciplinary measures, and SEL can help address this disparity by fostering a positive school climate.

    • Academic Persistence: SEL programs instill a growth mindset and the belief that effort leads to improvement.

    • Closing Achievement Gaps: When students feel supported, valued, and empowered, they are more likely to excel academically.

Restorative Practice 

Restorative practices are a set of strategies that focus on building and maintaining positive relationships, resolving conflicts, and fostering a sense of community within an educational setting. When implemented in conjunction with the mission and vision of Purpose Leadership Academy, which emphasizes elevating, educating, and inspiring student leaders, restorative practices can contribute significantly to achieving these goals. Here's how each element aligns with the mission and vision:

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1. Pride Circles:

  • Purpose: Circles create a safe space for open dialogue and community building.

  • Alignment: They align with the mission by fostering an environment where students can define and express their full potential. Circles promote inclusion and collaboration, essential elements in the development of student leaders.

2. Affirmations:

  • Purpose: Affirmations acknowledge and celebrate individual strengths and achievements.

  • Alignment: Aligned with the mission, affirmations contribute to elevating and inspiring students by recognizing their unique qualities and accomplishments. This positive reinforcement supports the vision of producing critically conscious changemakers.

3. Setting Intentions:
Purpose: Setting intentions involves goal-setting and creating a positive mindset.
Alignment: It aligns with the mission by encouraging students to reach their full potential through purposeful goal-setting. Intentions also support the vision of producing leaders with a guiding purpose.

4. Mentoring:
Purpose: Mentoring involves guidance and support from a more experienced individual.
Alignment: Aligned with the mission, mentoring provides personalized support for students to reach their full potential. It contributes to the vision by nurturing changemakers through one-on-one guidance.

5. Coaching:
Purpose: Coaching focuses on skill development and goal achievement.
Alignment: It aligns with the mission by providing targeted education and skill-building opportunities. Coaching supports the vision by fostering the development of leaders with the skills needed for impactful service.

6. Counseling:
Purpose: Counseling addresses emotional and behavioral well-being.
Alignment: Aligned with the mission, counseling supports the holistic development of students. It contributes to the vision by ensuring that students are emotionally equipped to lead with a guiding purpose.

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Graduate Aims

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Purpose Leadership Academy L.I.O.N.S Graduates will Be:

  1. Empowered and affirmed in their self identity.

  2. Have a global changemaker mindset that is grounded in community service for all of humanity.

  3. Critically conscious thinkers

  4. Purposeful decision makers with an entrepreneurship mindset. 

  5. Socially and emotionally aware leaders. 

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