PrattSchool.org :: Programs and Highlights
As part of our commitment to Learning for Life, Pratt Community School offers a wide range of enrichment programs to our students — through the classroom experience and our partnership with Pratt Community Education. These are some of the things that Pratt offers to its students:
Outstanding Teachers
Pratt teachers are all highly qualified in their area of discipline, and many hold graduate level degrees. We are fortunate to have such a group of talented and caring staff to provide in depth instruction in reading, writing, and math, using methods that incorporate the arts and sciences into their lessons.
Small School
Pratt’s small school benefit is consistent with current research that suggests that smaller schools are very effective learning environments. The staff is able to provide a rich, personal, and positive environment in which students can excel.
Quality Childcare
Minneapolis Kids before school and Tower Club after school.
Diverse Population
Our diverse neighborhoods and close proximity to the University of Minnesota bring a wealth of cultural and economic backgrounds to Pratt school.
The following is a partial list of the special programs being offered at Pratt for the 2009–10 academic year. Though Pratt is the smallest school in the Minneapolis public school system, it offers a particularly rich set of programs thanks to the tireless efforts of many volunteer, parent and staff members:
Arts for Academic Achievement
This is a program administered by the Minneapolis Public Schools. We work with one or more artist educators each year. Previously we had a puppeteer/mask maker come to each classroom once or twice a week for about six weeks. The residency concluded with a small performance and celebration during the school day.
Visual Thinking Strategies
This is an approach to teaching deeper problem solving, observation skills and drawing inferences and conclusions, using works of visual art as the stimulus. Some of the teachers at Pratt have been trained in this approach by the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Textile Arts
This is a new program for Pratt students. We have a partnership with the Textile Center of Minnesota which provides all Pratt students the opportunity for a textile arts enrichment experience such as felt making, weaving, quilting, etc. This year the students won a blue ribbon and purple grand prize ribbon at the Minnesota State Fair for their felted mural titled “Pratt’s Green Garden”.
Minneapolis Institute of Art : Art Adventure!
This program is in its fourth year, and is where Pratt volunteers are trained at the MIA to be classroom docents. Twice during the year the docents bring a collection of art reproductions from the MIA into the classroom, and present a program about the art, and the theme that links the pieces. Volunteers also facilitate an art project. All children in the school are served.
Minnesota Orchestra
The 3rd grade class attends one concert during the year.
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra: CONNECT
Three times a year, musicians from the orchestra, or international music groups affiliated with the orchestra, visit the school to present combination education and performance sessions. In addition, grades 1–5 attend a SPCO concert during the year.
Music Enrichment
A program for all Pratt students to have a music experience each week provided by an “Artist in Residence” through PTO contributions.
Core Knowledge / Cargill Grant
This is a three-year grant that began in the 2006–07 school year. The staff is infusing additional elements of history and geography into the curriculum. Specific focus in the first year was on Native American history and physical geography. The grant funds field trips, special staff development, and purchase of teaching artifacts that can be used across multiple years.
University of Minnesota Volunteers
The Service Learning office at the U of M facilitates the placement of between 20 and 40 student volunteers each semester. They work an average of 2 ½ hours per week, helping in the classroom, on the playground, and with special projects.
Americorps / Minnesota Reading Corps and Youth, Inc.
Two full-time reading tutors work with children who are below grade level in a one-on-one setting.
America Reads
This is a reading program through the University of Minnesota Work Study program. We have two students that work with the staff providing enrichment and tutoring.
Americorps / Minnesota Reading Corps and Youth, Inc.
Two full-time reading tutors work with children who are below grade level in a one-on-one setting.
Academic Achievers
After school partnership with East Side Neighborhood Services that promotes literacy learning, and leadership through after school enrichment.
East Side Neighborhood Services
Provides a variety of school and family support.
Washburn Center for Children
Supports student and family needs in a variety of ways.
UCare Minnesota
Currently 52 volunteers provide tutoring in reading enrichment and e-mentoring.
Youth Incorporated
A grant through Minneapolis Public Schools provides one-on-one academic support and tutoring three days a week.
Bilingual Associate Educator
Pratt offers a bilingual educator support who speak both English and Somali, working with students and staff each week, making many family contacts and assisting the teachers with their Somali-speaking students.
Volunteer Coordinator / Arts Coordinator
With funding from the community, the school has a ten hour per-week coordinator. This position supports both University and community volunteers, as well as opportunities with the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Textile Center of Minnesota.
Community Education
Pratt offers adult community education. Please call 612-668-1100 for more information, and visit http://www.mplscommunityed.com/ for a complete listing of community education classes.