Several types of schools the world over use Full-Circle Learning. In America, the model is being piloted in charter schools as well as in public schools. Each grade level of the Full-Circle Learning Academies unites with another school somewhere in the world to address global challenges through a local lens.
Homeless Walk - Kids pose with portraits they made.As free public charter schools, the Los Angeles Full-Circle Learning Academies resulted from the requests of the alumni club families.
After seeing the positive impact the model left on their children, who had engaged in summer and after-school programs, parents requested a full-day, standards-based school that would serve other neighborhood children as fully as it had served their own. They galvanized older students and parents to petition for a new school.
As a result, a new non-profit organization was established to launch the first Full-Circle Learning Academy, in 2007. A new grade level was added to the school each year. Grades kindergarten through 8th now co-locates at Manhattan Place Elementary School in Los Angeles. The school address is 1850 West 96th Street, Room 41, Los Angeles, CA 90047. To reach the FCLA-LA Charter School, please call 323-755-5125.
After its opening year, the school made a 19% increase in its API score in 2009, achieving a score of 721. The school credits nurturing teachers who help students achieve self-mastery and incorporate standards-based skills into projects that create a meaningful purpose for learning.
Early projects of the school included an advocacy challenge from the Heroes Class in grades two-three. The students in the photo above addressed poverty by first learning art skills. They made portraits of homeless people to carry in a citywide march, to generate awareness of the needs of homeless people. Next, they created math bar charts about the causes of homelessness in their city. They talked about what they would do if they were the city council, and they wrote essays accordingly. They compiled the art, the charts and the written work were in a book. A copy of the book went to the mayor’s office and another copy was mailed to their global partner in Chennai, India, to challenge this school to also help the poor in their own community.
In return, the Nishanth Full-Circle Learning School in Chennai developed a project for “orphaned grandparents” centered around the theme of respect and sent an inspiring book in return. Art work, writings and pictures of the children kneeling before the elders and receiving their kisses made a deep impression on the Los Angeles students. They learned many ways to incorporate skills into projects that touch hearts and lives.
For more information about the charter schools, visit fcla-la.org or call 323-733-7792.
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