Preparing Youth

for Global Leadership

In partnership with Congreso

Pan American Academy educates internationally minded students who strive to create a more harmonious world. Through building character, expanding perspectives, and inspiring excellence, our global leaders are

BIENVENIDOSWelcome AmigosPan American Academy is a dream come true, providing me with the opportunity

to educate amazing students in eastern North Philadelphia. A few years ago

we imagined a school where students would acquire a world-class education.

Community leaders, corporate partners, parents and educators joined together

to create a vision to empower students to reach their academic and social

potential by developing into inquiring, bilingual, intercultural citizens of the

global community.

I moved to Philadelphia from Puerto Rico when I was in sixth grade. It was very

difficult to find my way in this strange new environment where only English

was spoken. A dedicated teacher recognized my potential and encouraged me

to work hard. It is because of her and my experiences in school that I am the

educator that I am today. I see myself in our students and wish for them the

same success.

Throughout my career, I dreamed of leading a new kind of school that combined

an environment of academic excellence with cultural relevance for students in

my own neighborhood. A school in which bilingualism is achieved through a

dual language program. A school where passionate, knowledgeable, dedicated

teachers inspire students. And a school where a community is united in a shared

commitment. Pan American Academy is that dream.

When I see the promise that shines within our students it invokes a quote by the

abolitionist heroine Harriet Tubman: Every great dream begins with a dreamer.

Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience,

and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

Dream with us to transform our students world!

Atentamente,

Wanda Novals

CEO

Visionary leadership, talented teachers,

committed parents and invested community

partners have been the key to our success.

Board Member

After decades of helping families remedy educational failures

through supportive programs, Congreso decided to create

the opportunity for success in the classroom itself. Today our

partnership immensely improves the odds for Pan American

students and their families.

Ken Trujillo, Congreso Board Chair

HISTORIAPan American Academy is a K through 8 charter school founded by Congreso

in September 2008. Governed by a committed Board of Trustees, Pan American

Academy provides high-quality education to over 700 students in eastern

North Philadelphia.

A vibrant community that is home to the citys largest concentration of Latinos,

eastern North Philadelphia is also the citys poorest neighborhood. Given that

60% of Philadelphia Latinos live in poverty and lack a high school diploma,

an innovative approach was crucial to address the needs of the next generation.

Congreso created a charter school that incorporated comprehensive supports

into the educational model to help the communitys vulnerable children excel

in school and beyond.

Our history

The Congreso ConnectionCongreso is a nationally recognized,

community-based organization

whose mission is to strengthen

Latino communities through social,

economic, education and health

services; leadership development;

and advocacy.

Congreso embraces our vision that

academic achievement is enhanced

when our students and families

are safe, healthy and economically

secure. Congreso helps us build

this foundation by integrating social

services within our school, as well

as through programs available on

Congresos campus, where Pan

American Academy is located. Case

management, counseling and crises

services; afterschool and summer

programs; and health and workforce

development initiatives stabilize our

families so they can thrive.

Percentage of unexcused absences prevented by on-site health care services70%

I got six Cheetah Paws today. I got some for being

accountable. I listened to the teacher when I was supposed

to. Kids who are good get Cheetah Paws and if you get

a lot you can win a prize.

Kindergarten Student

Our Teachers Lead The Way Teachers model a caring attitude by nurturing relationships with students

and their families. In late summer teachers conduct home visits to review

expectations for academics and behavior. During the school year teachers post

curricula, assignments and grades online and make daily phone calls home.

At the end of each trimester, teachers deliver and discuss report cards face to

face. Such professionalism, commitment and transparency reinforce a principled

approach to excellence in educationan example for our students to emulate.

Healthy Minds Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) is the framework within which we foster

a respectful and cooperative learning environment. We address classroom

management issues by constantly reinforcing our school-wide expectations.

With respect and a positive tone of voice, we provide students with more praise

than correction, and we reward good behavior. Our positive approach instills

in students the importance of being reflective about their learning and actions.

Healthy Bodies The Wellness Center delivers health care services within the school setting.

Our goal is to improve health outcomes by providing better access to health

care and reducing time spent out of school due to illness. Experienced nurse

practitioners, who are authorized to provide primary care also prescribe and

dispense medication, conduct health screenings, and facilitate referrals.

They also stage health fairs at which students learn about healthy lifestyles

and even receive dental care.

CARCTERBuilding character is our balanced approach to education, which encompasses rigorous and challenging curricula as well as keen attention to the physical and mental well-being of our students.

75%of Pan American Academy staff are bilingual or bicultural

Research indicates that students who receive second

language instruction are more creative and better at solving complex problems

than those who do not.

Bamford and Mizokawa, 1991

PERSPECTIVASExpanding perspectives is the hallmark of internationally minded students and the driving force behind Pan American Academys curricular framework.

Inquiry-Based Learning We believe that authentic learning occurs when it is linked to the real world.

As such, we engage our students in transdisciplinary units that are engaging,

relevant, challenging and globally significant. Our students are inquirers who

acquire knowledge and skills and thinkers who search for deeper meaning and

understanding. Structured inquiry-based projects also encourage students to

be risk-takers by making connections to self, school, home and community.

Their discoveries shed light on the shared human experience as well as their

unique place in the world.

Dual Language Program Ours is a 50/50 two-way immersion model, meaning that instruction in core

content areas is provided 50% in English and 50% in Spanish. The cornerstone

of our model is the equal status of the two languages, cultures and groups

of students. Our goal is to develop open-minded students who have deep

awareness of their own and others histories and worldviews. We aim to

nurture effective communicators who have insight into and appreciation

of other cultures, further demonstrated by their fluency in two languages.

Dual Language Program

Wellness Center

Internationally-focused inquiry-based curriculum

Community-based partnership (mental health and social services provided by Congreso)

School District of Philadelphia

Pan American Academy

C O M P A R A T I V E F E A T U R E S

I feel energized. Im encouraged to

be creative with the curriculum, and Ive got a great team of teachers to work with. Todos son

muy simpticos.

Pan American Academy Teacher

EXCELENCIAInspiring excellence begins by recruiting, developing, motivating and retaining talented teachers. They empower our students to develop into knowledgeable citizens of the world, poised for global action.

Professional Development Because Pan American Academy believes that teacher quality is the most

important factor impacting student achievement, leadership invests significantly

in professional development. Initiatives include mentoring new teachers;

coaching grade-level teams; collaborative curriculum development and

lesson planning time each week; and constructive evaluations reflecting clear

evidence-based standards. We also reward our teachers with performance-based

compensation directly tied to student academic growth.

Our Challenging CurriculumRigorous curricula in literature, math, science, and history are enhanced by

courses in art, music, technology and physical education. Our philosophy of

including English language learners (ELLs) and students whose education is

guided by an IEP ensures that all our students are prepared to contribute as

global citizens and to compete in the global market.

Pan American Academy makes Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) consistently by demonstrating growth towards the performance and participation goals set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This chart compares the growth in student achievement among Pan American students and students citywide and across Pennsylvania. (pvaas.sas.com)

AYP Goals

Pan American

Reading Math

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1

2

3

4

Philadelphia State

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APOYOSupport us in our dream to transform our students world. Pan American Academy seeks partners to help us

Develop academic interventions aimed at increasing reading proficiency in both English and Spanish

Provide intensive, ongoing development for our professional staff

Build a library collection to support and supplement our inquiry-based, dual language, intercultural curricula

Create a state-of-the-art technology center to bridge the digital divide

Build capacity to provide primary medical care to students and their parents

Provide international experience for our graduating students

Our academic

goal:

98%of students achieve proficiency in reading and mathIts difficult for parents to

make wise decisions about their childrens future. So I carefully

researched the school and spoke to many parents. And I always

got the same response: everyone loves Pan American Academy!

I am so excited that my child will be attending in the fall.

New Pan American Parent

Learn more about our dream by visiting

panamericanacademy.org

2830 North American Street | Philadelphia, PA 19133 t 215.425.1212 www.panamericanacademy.org

In partnership with