Public School 7 (PS7) is the K-8 school of the St. Hope Public School (SHPS) education pipeline. It is a modified year-round school committed to providing students the skills and training necessary to prepare them for success in a college preparatory high school. Like every other program within the SHPS pipeline, PS7 uses the Five Pillars as its lifeblood, setting its students on a path to obtaining a college degree and lifelong success.
The PS7 program has six primary facets:
- Academics
- Culture
- Life Skills
- Extended Learning
- Education Enrichment
- Parent Engagement
Academics
Personalized Learning: Every student at PS7 is tracked by their individual results which are used to guide the educational experience. This intense focus on results and use of data, as well as the school’s low student-teacher ratios, allow PS7 to ensure that all students are equipped to succeed in the classroom.
More Time: At PS7, students start earlier and stay later than their traditional public school counterparts. The extended school day and extended school year allow teachers and students to cover a greater breadth and depth in the academic topics, which raises the bar for student learning and student achievement.
Academic Supports: Small group and one-on-one tutoring in reading, writing, and mathematics – as well as after-school homework assistance – is built into the education program at PS7. Furthermore, students who are in need of additional support receive small group instruction on key language arts and math standards for up to six weeks during PS7’s fall, spring, and summer intersession programs.
Family Involvement: Families are partners in the learning process. PS7 equips parents and guardians with strategies and tools for becoming involved in their child’s education through workshops, parent groups, and family-oriented events, all of which are all outlined below, in the “Parent Engagement” sub-section.
Culture
College Focus: PS7 recognizes that in order to break the cycles of poverty, students have obtain and college degree and the life options that come with it. Furthermore, to get students from traditionally underserved populations to achieve this goal, students must to buy into the idea of college, and they have to buy in at an early age. That is why, on the door for every class – including the kindergarten classes – there is a plaque that states those students’ anticipated year of college graduation. Every class year is referred to by this college graduation year, reinforcing the importance of building a college-going community. Additionally, all students visit at least one college or university campus each academic year to help build the students’ excitement about college and to provide a tangible connection to higher education.
Accountability: While the PS7 faculty and administration create the systems to promote student success, students must be held accountable. PS7 teachers do not tolerate incomplete homework or poor effort and the classrooms are open into the evening for struggling students to spend additional time on assignments and topics. PS7 also holds Saturday school and intersession programs for students who need extra class time.
Respect and Professionalism: All PS7 students are required to wear the school uniform and to treat each other, their teachers, and the administration with a heightened level of respect and professionalism. Additionally, all K-8 students are taught how to respectfully, confidently, and professionally introduce themselves, their class, and their schoolwork to any adult visitor in the class. This emphasis on professionalism is critical to the students’ success in college and throughout life.
Community Pride: PS7 students recognize that by attending a SHPS school, they are active participants in the Oak Park community. Therefore, all students engage in community service throughout their K-8 education.
Life Skills
Setting High Expectations: Students are able to achieve at high levels only if they are driven and believe themselves capable. PS7 empowers students to set high expectations and supports them to meet those lofty goals with college graduation being the most commonly emphasized goal.
Study Skills: In daily study hall periods, PS7 faculty works with students to help them develop strong study skills and positive academic habits.
Extended Learning
PS7 recognizes that learning needs to extend beyond the classroom. Each year, PS7 students attend numerous out-of-class educational events, such as the Shakespeare Festival and Sly Park (a standards-based outdoor environmental camp experience for 6th graders in Polluck Pines, CA).
Education Enrichment
At PS7, students receive a well-rounded education. In addition to a strong focus on reading, writing, and mathematics, PS7 views character education, arts enrichment, and leadership training as central components of the learning process.
Parent Engagement
Parent engagement is a critical component of quality education. In order for genuine learning to take place, there must be a continuum of instruction that lasts much longer than the time the child is physically at school. By working together with parents, PS7 can create that comprehensive learning experience. Upon enrollment, PS7 parents sign a contract committing to provide at least 40 hours of volunteer service with the school each year. Additionally, PS7 engages its parents in the following ways:
- PS7 Parent Center: The Parent Center is a designated space on the PS7 campus that functions as a training ground for all parents to acquire skills and knowledge on home- and school-related issues through workshops, networking, and small group discussions.
- Motherhood Group: The PS7 Motherhood Group is comprised of women who believe that by embracing education and supporting the school, they can make a positive difference in the students’ educational experience and future accomplishments. The primary goals of the group are:
- To increase parent involvement on the PS7 campus
- To provide a nurturing extension from home
- To provide a visible presence of mothers on campus
- To empower other mothers to make a difference in their children’s lives.
- Fatherhood Group: The PS7 Fatherhood Group is comprised of men who believe that providing a stable male presence in their children’s lives can help promote outstanding academic achievement. The group’s mission is, “To encourage male involvement on campus through activities that are targeted and designed for men,” and the group’s goals are:
- To provide a physical presence of fathers on campus for students and to serve as role models for PS7 boys and girls
- To provide enriching activities for PS7 fathers that will enhance interactions with their own sons and/or daughters
- To provide trainings, workshops, and discussion group sessions that are specifically focused on fatherhood empowerment.
- Powerschool Parents: Powerschool is an easy-to-use student academic information system provided to parents to communicate student performance throughout the school year.
