There is tremendous variation in the types of partnerships being formed successfully-school to school, consortia, and new entities spun off from schools. Here are a few of their stories.
A "whole school" model, Sage Hill involves all its faculty and students . . . .
Park Day School in Oakland, CA supports local public school students through students teaching students-reciprocally. Park Day also offers professional development workshops that cover Differentiated K/1 Literacy Instruction, Teaching Mindfulness in the Classroom, and Reading Buddies-giving public school teachers tools they can use immediately in their classrooms. (Park Day teachers say preparing to present their curriculum helps sharpen their own focus and offers an opportunity to reflect on their own practice.) Its Mindful Schools program has been so successful nationally that it now has its own 501©3.
Through the Middle Grades Partnership in Maryland, nine private schools and eleven public schools come together, with support from the Baltimore Community Foundation, to provide comprehensive summer and after-school learning opportunities. There is much for all participants to give and get. Partners learn to step outside comfort zones and get to know others in a different, though complementary, world. The Middle Grades Partnership upends old ways of thinking. "You can't do this without me" becomes "We can't do this without each other."
Ann Klotz, Head of Laurel School, wanted to connect with a Cleveland public school "in a sustained effort that would braid our two schools together in meaningful ways over a long period of time." In 2009, Laurel School formed a unique partnership with Warner Girls Leadership Academy to create NorthStar Collaborative, a six week summer academy for skill building and leadership development. Students remain connected throughout the school year participating in tutoring programs, attending community events, and growing a garden together. Faculty at both schools work in tandem to share strengths and deepen their reflective practice. See NorthStar in action!
When Sonoma Academy moved to a new campus in the foothills of Santa Rosa, California, the school seized the opportunity to build on its mission of engaging with the surrounding community, on its commitment to a sustainable environment, and on its award-winning CONNECTIONS program. Wingspan Partnerships helps Sonoma Academy build and expand partnerships with the local public elementary schools that use the energies of its creative faculty for the good of the whole community and all its learners-shaping the school's own future in the process.
On the Map