HIAWATHA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Hiawatha Academies is an open enrollment charter school currently serving K-5th grade. In 2007, seven teachers and 140 Kindergarten and 1st grade scholars opened Hiawatha Academies in the annex classrooms of St. Joan of Arch church in Minneapolis. Each year, the Academy will add a full grade level of students on route to serve grades K –12. In 2009, Hiawatha's elementary school moved to our permanent location to better serve our K-4 program of 375 scholars. Later that spring, 70% of our scholars scored Proficient or Advanced in Reading and Math demonstrating that closing the achievement gap is possible in Minneapolis. In fall of 2011, Hiawatha Academies opened up our second school, Adelante College Prep that will eventually serve grades 5 – 8.

HLA’s teachers are our most valuable assets, and their commitment to the school’s mission and values is remarkable. A longer school day (7:45 – 4:30), more rigorous curriculum, shorter summer, constant evaluation, frequent professional development and many other duties equates to a much more demanding career for teachers. HLA teachers are at school by 7:15 am every day and don’t leave until 5 pm. Their cell phones are on until 8:15 pm every day. Parents are free to call with questions, concerns and comments.

As a school, we take great care in holding ourselves academically accountable. Hiawatha scholars take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) beginning in the 3rd Grade. In 2010-11, 84% of our 4th graders scored proficient or advanced on the MCA in reading and 68% scored proficient or advanced in math. Additionally, 66% of our 3rd graders scored proficient or advanced in reading and 69% scored proficient or advanced in math.

While these results are substantial, the academy will not rest until 100% of our scholars are proficient. Hiawatha prides itself on maintaining an open enrollment policy never turning a single student away

Thank you,

HLA Team