Return to core results contents.

Issue Statement
   In 1993, the after tireless efforts determined community leaders, the Adams School was closed in 1992 and FPSE lost its only school. Through the planning process to revitalize the neighborhood that began in August of 1998, the community identified its number one priority as the re-opening of the Adams school. There are currently some 456 students in FPSE attending kindergarten through fifth grade at 28 different schools and St. Louis City and several schools in St. Louis County.

   The School and Community Center Task Group, a committee working on re-opening the Adams School made up of neighborhood residents, has been meeting since August of 1998 to discuss the possibility of a site-based managed school for elementary aged children with an attached community center. The overarching goal of the school will be the academic progress of each student. In order to achieve this goal, the Adams School and Community Center Task Force has established a set of development principles for the new Adams School:

• There should be a significant role for community members and parents in the site selection, design and operation of the school
• There should be a significant role for community members and parents in the selection of the school's principal.
• The principal should have expanded control over teacher selection, curriculum development, school budget, maintenance, hours of operation and related matters (not in contravention of any union contract(s).
• The school should have extended operating hours (8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.).
• The school should be a "school of excellence". A state-of-the-art facility with the best educational programs.
• The school should provide a safe environment for its children, teachers, administrators and staff.
• The school should have small class sizes.
• During the development of the school, higher educational institutions should be encouraged to assist the community in the physical design and curriculum development and any other operations matter requested by the community and principal.
• The development of the school should discourage the bussing of neighborhood children to other schools.
• The development of the school should encourage employment opportunities for local residents throughout the construction period and during the operation of the school.

Benchmark

• Number of children in the FPSE neighborhood attending Adams School.
• Test scores and grades.
• Attendance records.

Baseline Analysis
   There are currently some 456 students in FPSE attending kindergarten through fifth grade at 28 different schools and St. Louis City and several schools in St. Louis County. Test scores are currently unavailable, due to the wide variety of schools the children are attending. Entry tests to kindergarten are now voluntary for parents; thus scores are unavailable to the public. Continual testing and evaluation will be conducted during performance evaluations after the first year Adam's School re-opens.

Strategies
   The re-opening of the Adams School as a site based managed school serving the FPSE community. The school will be an innovative pre-school through fifth grade school that will be a collaborative effort by parents/guardians, businesses, educators, local and state government, foundations, community based, not-for-profit, and for-profit organizations.

Performance Measures
   A quarterly report on the academic and social progress of the students will be provided to the Superintendent together with outcomes achieved by the overall collaborative. An annual report on the academic and social progress of students printed and distributed by representatives of the business community will be provided to the entire community. The report will be sent to all funders, volunteers and parents/guardians.

   A yearly survey will be given to each parent/guardian, faculty member, volunteer and student or suggestions. These will be reviewed by school staff, the Office of Sit Support/Instruction and Leadership and the FPSE Community Council, the Human Service Program Manager as well as parents/guardians.

Budget
   Included in the physical plan.

Return to top of this Core Result 3 page, or
to core results contents.