Our Philosophy
At the core of what we are all about is our Mission Statement. Everything we do, everything that describes who we are, everything that describes what we are about, derives from this Statement.
The mission of North Side Community School, a small K-5 charter public school serving predominantly poor, urban, at-risk students, is to ensure that all of its students acquire the skills, knowledge, and personal qualities needed for success in middle and high school. These will be acquired through the use of innovative technology, individualized instruction, small class size, and the active involvement of parents and families.
It is from here that we developed four building blocks that form the foundation that will help us be successful in bringing educational success to our students.
The first is Local Orientation. We are completely and exclusively local in everything that we do. We look to ourselves and to our community for answers and solutions.
Local orientation means commitment. Our Founding Board is made up of members who have lived in the metro St. Louis area for most of our lives. We have built careers and businesses here, and have personal stakes in the success of urban education in our area.
Local orientation also means local control and decision making, which we feel is critical in the successful management of a school. Often situations arise that require immediate response from management. At North Side, we pledge answers in hours.
Local control means accountability. Decision makers must be held accountable for their actions. Whether offering praise or constructive criticisms, this is best done when top leaders are nearby and accessible, with up-to-date, hands-on knowledge of what is going on.
The second building block of our effort is a commitment to small size. We have capped our enrollment at 270, meaning a student/teacher ratio of no greater than 15/1. Our small size means that the funds we raise can be applied directly and quickly to educational purposes. A small school means that we provide personal attention to our students and their families. Our small size means our sponsor’s expertise and experience have an immediate and meaningful impact on our school.
A third building block is a holistic commitment to our students and families. Three examples:
- North Side extensively utilizes outreach by employing a full time SPF coordinator (social, psychological, and family), whose sole responsibility is insuring strong school/student/family interaction and progress.
- North Side incorporates health and fitness into the lives of our students. We have partnered with Trailnet, a well-known, highly respected locally based, not-for-profit group whose mission is building healthy lifestyles, especially in an urban setting. They are designing a special program for us, including school-specific safe bikable/walkable routes to school, nutrition education, and physical education programs. When coupled with Friday Special Program, our own specialized PE program, we offer a unique, healthy, and fun, lifestyle choice for all our students.
- Our Teacher Home Visit program (THVP) introduces teachers to parents and caregivers in a setting outside of the typical school experience. This results in a strong connection between children and teachers with many students showing improved grade achievement, higher attendance, and better homework completion rates.
The final building block is a commitment to technology. Items such as smart boards, classroom cameras and projectors, and classroom computers allow true hands-on learning. Our primary vehicle to provide these tools is eMINTS, an innovative program developed by the University of Missouri, now found in over 15 states and 250 school districts in Missouri alone.