Ten months ago Richard Allen Math & Science Academy (RAMSA) opened its doors with 67 students. We were ready to meet our new students, many of which were excited about the new Science Technology Engineering & Math (STEM) school. Parents were interested to see what Richard Allen Math & Science was going to deliver. Critics wondered if this was another school that was going to stand the test of time. On June 9, RAMSA graduated 22 8th grade students. I am proud to report that we have met and exceeded the expectations of our community, parents and stakeholders. Below are successes we have accomplished because of the support from staff, parents, community members and volunteers.
RAMSA received the school finance award from the Minnesota Department of Education. Fifty-five other charter schools received this award among 155 charter schools in Minnesota. This award signifies that RAMSA has a healthy budget and sound fiscal policies. We are looking forward to maintaining similar operations in the coming years. However, we need your help to support our growing program in this difficult economic period. RAMSA needs to collaborate with organizations in Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs in order to support our STEM program and provide a quality education with safety nets for all students.
RAMSA instituted a character education program to empower students and nurture students' attitudes in order to meet the mission of our school. During second quarter, we rewarded students for academic achievement and character development. The beginning was discouraging because we could only identify five students who were meeting or exceeding the standards. The last three months of school, we are able to identify 27 students who were being recognized for both categories. This is due in part to the work of our staff that embodied the principles of attacking, attempting and adopting. I am very proud and appreciative of the people who remained faithful and believed that all children can learn.
The 2009-10 school year has come to an end and marks the beginning of what RAMSA will accomplish in the future. We are now enrolling families for the 2010-2011 academic school year. You do not want your child to miss out on a great educational experience that engages students in STEM. At RAMSA, students build bridges, they build and launch rockets, and they are exposed to the engineering design process. Our 6th grade students build submersibles during a science lesson when learning about density, mass and volume; this type of hands-on learning allows students to retain what they learn and make the classroom environment fun. We are accepting applications for students in grades 6, 7 and 8. Call 612-559-5200 for an application.
RAMSA is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) middle-school serving students in grades 6, 7 and 8 from Minneapolis and its neighboring communities. RAMSA is the only middle school in North Minneapolis offering a rich STEM curriculum that exposes middle-school students to the real world of engineering by offering field trips twice a month, along with daily engineering classes which utilize the practical aspects of engineering such as building bridges out of Popsicle sticks, launching rockets and designing landing fields for helicopters.
We believe that introducing, exposing and engaging students in these key vocations of the future will instill a great love for learning and capture their interest in STEM. RAMSA's vision is to create future scientists and engineers through the exploration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. This kind of educational approach will nurture our students who will become your future employees, as well as reduce the need for the U.S. to import engineers.
Visit www.ramsaacademy.org, click on About RAMSA, then select About our STEM activities to view a short video. Contact us at 612-559-5200 or info@ramsaacademy.org.