Rising to the Challenge

Pan American is building excellent students everyday by integrating cultural awareness into its academically rigorous curriculum. The public charter school opened its doors in fall 2008 in North Philadelphia.

A Worldly View on Education

Partnering with Congreso, Pan American offers a dual-language program to provide students the opportunity to learn both English and Spanish. The intercultural understanding and respect developed in the students through this program helps them become inquisitive, knowledgeable and caring young people who ultimately strive to create a more peaceful world. Students are encouraged to become active, compassionate and lifelong international learners through the Primary Years Program.

A Challenge Worth Taking

Pan American Academy incorporated the Philly TAP system into is curriculum since its inception. While it was no easy feat, the Pan American teachers and administrators are motivated to make an impact on their students' educational experience and were up for the challenge.

"While it was difficult to start a school with TAP, having the program as part of our core from the very beginning made it clear what we are about. We are not about blaming the community or kids for what they do not know. We are about finding solutions to help kids learn."

Claudia Perez-Fortune, Master Teacher

Driving Improvement through Philly TAP's Structure

With Philly TAP in place, teachers became students as they learned how to improve their instructional skills through observations and feedback. Through the Philly TAP structure, teachers have been able to identify the specific needs of their students to help them achieve their goals for that academic year.

What I like about coaching and Philly TAP is it allows me to focus on my specific weaknesses as a teacher and work on improving them. The rubric then helps focus on identifying my strengths and weakness in a concrete way.

Ms. Kauffman, 3^rd grade teacher

Identifying specific goals through the Philly TAP rubrics provides clear guidelines and expectations for the students and teachers.

"I use the rubric to guide my instruction and planning for every lesson. It has made my instruction clear and allows for my students to really make connections from objective to activity to assessment."

Ms. D'Ambrosio, Kindergarten teacher

Results & Continued Growth

Though Pan American experienced challenges and some growing pains in its first year, as a result of Philly TAP and the hard work of its teachers, the school made AYP for 2008-2009. Pan America has continued to grow as a charter school and as a TAP-enriched provider of quality education in North Philadelphia.