Dear Hiawatha Community,
We understand you may have seen recent news articles discussing challenges faced by some charter schools, where Hiawatha Academies was named. Yes, it’s true - as of March 2024, Hiawatha Academies is currently at intervention level three and was renewed for three years instead of five years by our authorizer. But here’s the good news: this event in March 2024 sparked significant action and progress. We moved quickly to address areas of improvement and put scholars at the center of our efforts.
In light of the recent Star Tribune article, which focused solely on last school year’s intervention letter without acknowledging the meaningful changes and improvements we have made since then, we want to take this opportunity to share how far we’ve come. Both the strategic plan and school improvement plan that we developed are our guiding force, and we are already seeing positive results after just six months of implementation.
Steps We’ve Taken Since March 2024
Here are the concrete actions we’ve implemented to improve outcomes and address the intervention:
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Strategic Plan Implementation
In September, we launched a strategic plan focused on equitable empowerment through literacy. This plan is anchored by four pillars: -
Centering on Scholar Achievement: Ensuring academic success for every scholar.
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Mindfully Empowering Equity and Scholar-Centered Excellence: Building a learning environment grounded in equity.
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Driving Financial and Operational Excellence: Strengthening our systems for long-term sustainability.
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Cultivating an Equitable and Collaborative Environment: Creating a space where all voices are valued.
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Immediate and Long-Term Changes
We’ve made rapid curriculum and operational adjustments that are already benefiting scholars. At the same time, we are embedding equity and literacy practices throughout our K-12 programs for sustained improvement. -
Increased Oversight and Collaboration
Our board and leadership team are actively collaborating with our authorizer to ensure transparency, accountability, and measurable progress on all improvement areas.
Key Updates on Our Progress
Improving Scholar Outcomes
We’ve reached the halfway mark of the school year, and our results are showing promising trends:
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FastBridge Assessments: Scholars are achieving impressive gains in literacy and math, with 60% showing typical or aggressive growth in reading and 61% in math.
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K-1 Success: A special shoutout to our youngest scholars, 80% of whom demonstrated typical or aggressive growth during this period.
These results highlight the dedication of our scholars, families, and staff to achieving excellence.
Why Families Choose Hiawatha
Hiawatha Academies continues to stand out for the opportunities we provide, particularly for students qualifying for Free and Reduced Price Meals (FRL):
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College Preparation: 65% of our graduates enroll in college within 16 months—outpacing local and statewide averages.
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Advanced Placement: 52% of our scholars participate in AP courses, far exceeding local rates.
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Graduation Rates: Our 84.9% graduation rate surpasses Minneapolis Public Schools (58.7%) and the state (71.9%) for FRL students.
Recognition of Progress
During the University of St. Thomas’ site visit in December, their report highlighted:
“It was clear in each focus group that a lot of work is being done to bring more cohesiveness and transparency to the network. While there is still work ahead, there is appreciation for the progress so far. It is easy to see that the needs of students are at the forefront of decision-making. Overall, Hiawatha staff, students, parents, and board members highly value the school for providing an inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment.”
This feedback affirms the hard work of our entire Hiawatha community and motivates us to keep pushing forward.
Looking Ahead
Our vision remains unchanged: to prepare every scholar for success in post-secondary programs and beyond. By focusing on literacy, equity, and excellence, we are confident in our ability to meet the needs of our community and fulfill our obligations. As I shared in the Star Tribune article, we are confident that the steps we are taking will ensure our charter is renewed in 2027.
We are deeply grateful for your trust, partnership, and support as we continue this journey. Together, we are creating a brighter future for all scholars. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
In partnership,
Karen Klinzing
Executive Director