"LEAN Tech Academy’s mission is to cultivate the mind, strengthen the body and nurture the spirit of every child..."
Cultivating the Mind
Teachers:
At LEAN, cultivation begins with our teachers. In order for them to be successful in the classroom, it is imperative they are equipped with relevant skills, strategies and resources to guide students. For example, our Project Based Learning model will offer many opportunities to develop learning potential, yet our teachers will also become skilled in approaches not conventionally addressed through this model. Teachers will participate in summer in-service trainings; particularly during the first year of operation. Teachers will also engage in Public Learning Communities (PLCs) once a week to foster collaborative learning among colleagues and exchange ideas and best practices for how to cultivate curious and creative minds.
Students:
Cultivating the minds of students means offering them an array of academic and career options to explore, and teaching in ways that cater to their different learning styles. LEAN’s curriculum will achieve this through three distinct pathways (Archways): 1) Biomedical Science, 2) Global Health Sciences and 3) Design and Engineering. These archways, in addition to the National Common Core Standards form the basis for learning, while nutrition, wellness and fitness strategies round out the student experience. LEAN will also participate in the Early College Model sponsored by Wilmington University in New Castle, DE in partnership with the nationally recognized Early College High School Initiative model.
Strengthening the Body
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reviewed studies about school-based physical education and physical activity and their effect on academic performance with overall positive results. Substantial evidence suggests that physical activity can be associated with improved academic achievement, including grades and standardized test scores.
The Founding Board of Directors of LEAN Tech Academy participated in a comprehensive three day workshop at Namaste Charter school in Chicago last spring; receiving training in the Namaste Way to foster student success through nutrition wellness and movement. LEAN will adopt Namaste’s extended school day of almost 9 hours three days of the week and 8 hours two days of the week. The daily schedule includes a healthy breakfast and lunch, as well as a family Breakfast each week, to ensure students are well-nourished and have ample time for regular physical activity alongside high-quality academic instruction and special programming.
LEAN will participate in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program and will offer healthy snacks mid-morning and during the after school program. On a rotating schedule, parents will be required to join their student for breakfast and participate in our nutrition and wellness lifestyle workshops.
Nurturing the Spirit
Nurturing the Spirit is part of educating the whole child, and means guiding students and offering them opportunities to discover their best self. LEAN Tech advocates for programs that leverage the best practices of two intersecting movements: character education and social and emotional learning (SEL). These programs will cover topics such as conflict resolution, bullying and violence prevention, peer group mentoring, leadership, and communication skills. Our hope is these programs will bring value to our students and enhance their performance both in and outside the classroom.
Cultivating the Mind
Teachers:
At LEAN, cultivation begins with our teachers. In order for them to be successful in the classroom, it is imperative they are equipped with relevant skills, strategies and resources to guide students. For example, our Project Based Learning model will offer many opportunities to develop learning potential, yet our teachers will also become skilled in approaches not conventionally addressed through this model. Teachers will participate in summer in-service trainings; particularly during the first year of operation. Teachers will also engage in Public Learning Communities (PLCs) once a week to foster collaborative learning among colleagues and exchange ideas and best practices for how to cultivate curious and creative minds.
Students:
Cultivating the minds of students means offering them an array of academic and career options to explore, and teaching in ways that cater to their different learning styles. LEAN’s curriculum will achieve this through three distinct pathways (Archways): 1) Biomedical Science, 2) Global Health Sciences and 3) Design and Engineering. These archways, in addition to the National Common Core Standards form the basis for learning, while nutrition, wellness and fitness strategies round out the student experience. LEAN will also participate in the Early College Model sponsored by Wilmington University in New Castle, DE in partnership with the nationally recognized Early College High School Initiative model.
Strengthening the Body
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reviewed studies about school-based physical education and physical activity and their effect on academic performance with overall positive results. Substantial evidence suggests that physical activity can be associated with improved academic achievement, including grades and standardized test scores.
The Founding Board of Directors of LEAN Tech Academy participated in a comprehensive three day workshop at Namaste Charter school in Chicago last spring; receiving training in the Namaste Way to foster student success through nutrition wellness and movement. LEAN will adopt Namaste’s extended school day of almost 9 hours three days of the week and 8 hours two days of the week. The daily schedule includes a healthy breakfast and lunch, as well as a family Breakfast each week, to ensure students are well-nourished and have ample time for regular physical activity alongside high-quality academic instruction and special programming.
LEAN will participate in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program and will offer healthy snacks mid-morning and during the after school program. On a rotating schedule, parents will be required to join their student for breakfast and participate in our nutrition and wellness lifestyle workshops.
Nurturing the Spirit
Nurturing the Spirit is part of educating the whole child, and means guiding students and offering them opportunities to discover their best self. LEAN Tech advocates for programs that leverage the best practices of two intersecting movements: character education and social and emotional learning (SEL). These programs will cover topics such as conflict resolution, bullying and violence prevention, peer group mentoring, leadership, and communication skills. Our hope is these programs will bring value to our students and enhance their performance both in and outside the classroom.
