Eagle Academy Public Charter School

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For twenty years Eagle Academy has set the standard for educating young children in Washington, DC. Contact us: Congress Heights Campus Office (202) 544-2646... Capital Riverfront Office (202) 459-6825 ...Eagle’s Administrative Office: (202) 459-6850  Refer a family for SY2023!
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Comprehensive Education » Our Philosophy

Our Philosophy

Young Girl with IPAD

Why We Exist

 

The success of Eagle Academy is primarily due to the dedication of a passionate and dedicated staff, a data driven leadership model, an emphasis on data-driven decision-making, state-of-the-art technology support, and a strong commitment to ongoing professional development and training.

 

In addition, Eagle Academy parents partner with the teachers to support their children to achieve at high levels. Parent participation makes a significant difference at Eagle Academy. The philosophy of Eagle Academy is that each child develops at her/ his own pace and the educational program design must support and incorporate each student’s rate of mastery. How quickly a student learns something is not indicative of how capable a student is. The educational program must then create opportunities for each child, tailored to the student’s specific needs. Students who master the fundamentals of reading and mathematics and learn to enjoy their ability to solve problems will succeed academically. Students must also learn to work with others effectively and to participate positively in building a school community. Each student must learn to appreciate himself or herself as an individual. All of these positive gains can take place in an environment of child centered learning and problem-solving activities, and Eagle Academy works extensively to help facilitate these outcomes.

 

They come from diverse backgrounds and families that are looking for a nurturing environment that supports the whole child.  

 

By removing the physical, mental, and emotional barriers that prevent our students from thriving in the classroom, we create an environment where they are able to focus on learning, and encouraged to work hard and dream big. We invest in our children early on, and give them the courage to invest in themselves.

 

Philosophy

 

At Eagle Academy, we believe every child deserves a thoughtful education. Our philosophy is based off the realization that each child develops at their own pace and the educational program must be designed to support and incorporate every student’s learning needs. Award-winning research by University of Pennsylvania psychologist Angela Duckworth found that social and emotional skills – such as learning how to apply yourself to a task and believe in the possibility of your own improvement – are bigger determinants of success than reading and math skills. By creating an environment where effort is appreciated as much as accuracy, we are teaching our students that failure is simply part of learning – and they should never stop trying.

 

By creating opportunities for each child to master the fundamentals of reading and mathematics through interactive learning, our children develop a passion for problem solving and conflict resolution. Eagle Academy is focused on educating the “whole child,” which means we help our students grow not only academically, but also emotionally, socially, and physically.

 

Eagle students are capable of changing the world. It is up to us to help them get started.

 

Eagle Academy Model

Eagle Academy’s model of a high-quality school includes several core components.

  1. Research-based Instructional Approaches. Eagle Academy uses the Danielson Framework for Teaching as a guideline for coaching, management, principal and administrative oversight, and teacher training and goal setting. The Danielson Framework focuses on instructional planning, classroom management and support, use of student assessments, developmentally appropriate instruction, and techniques for student engagement.
  2. Focus on Literacy. Eagle Academy has a specific emphasis on literacy acquisition and achievement, which includes implementing the Big Day for Pre-K and Into Reading for other students.
  3. Focus on STEAM. The Eagle Academy curriculum includes a particular focus on integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) components across grades and subjects. The STEAM focus is also incorporated in after-school and summer program offerings.
  4. Positive Approach to Behavior. Eagle Academy uses both School-Wide Positive Behavioral Support (SWPBS) and the Responsive Classroom model to provide a positive framework for the development of prosocial student behaviors.
  5. Support for Social-Emotional and Mental Health. The Eagle Academy model promotes the development of student empathy and self-regulation through the Second Step Violence Prevention Program. It supports the social-emotional well-being of students with school- based mental health services with a comprehensive Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) that was developed, implemented and refined over a 5-year period with funding from a U.S. Department of Education School Climate Transformation Grant.
  6. Multi-Tiered Support System. Multi -Tiered Support System (MTSS) that is data-driven, with a framework to improve outcomes for all students, utilizing a continuum of evidence-based practice. The system serves as the driver of both the instruction program and the social emotional well-being of our students. Administrators, faculty, and staff begin every school year with intensive professional development and training to address all components of the system. This year’s Comprehensive Needs Assessment provides the data points for all students PreK-3 through Grade 3 for both the beginning of the year and midterm.