The Opportunity Trust’s Post

October is National Principals Month - join us in celebrating the outsized impact that principals have on the students, staff and families that look to them for leadership, guidance, and inspiration day in and day out. We know that having an effective principal is key to delivering an effective school program. This is part of the reason why we work so hard to cultivate talented leaders who raise the bar for what is possible in their school buildings, and in the communities they serve. One example is BELIEVE STL Academy's Principal Resident Jawn Alexzandra Manning whose student-centered approach makes BELIEVE a space where students can learn about more than what is in their textbooks, "we invest a lot in our students and their success, not just academically, but socially and emotionally." Innovative School Fellow Stephon Greenlee, M.Ed has also leveraged his experience as a school principal to make a positive impact on the students of BELIEVE in his own school leadership residency. "Through education, I hope to plant "nurturing seeds" that will instill a sense of purpose and direction in students, helping them achieve success in their lives and make a positive impact on their communities." At The Opportunity Trust, we are proud to work with leaders who are so deeply committed to helping their school communities rethink what is possible for the students they serve. We hope you'll join us in celebrating the principals in our lives this month. Who are some of the incredible school leaders making an indelible impact in your world? #NationalPrincipalsMonth #CelebratePrincipals #SchoolLeaders #StLouisSchools #TOTCELEBRATES

Our Instructional Leadership Bootcamps have proven to be incredibly effective spaces to share turnkey solutions to common challenges facing academic coaches. Check out a few key data points that explore bootcamp outcomes, and suggest some of the impact these sessions will have for our partner schools: 📈 Bootcamp #1 participants entered Session #1 with 11% proficiency in crafting a high-quality action step, and left Session #2 at 90% proficiency! 🔁 Participants continued to build on this growth; 82% of Bootcamp #2 Participants had attended the first Bootcamp, and 80% of Bootcamp #2 participants submitted pre-work that met at least two of three high-quality action step criteria. Stay tuned for more data from our Bootcamps, and information about future Bootcamp opportunities! #InstructionalLeadership #InstructionalLeadershipBootcamps #StLouisEducators #LeadershipInEducation #ProfessionalDevelopment #StLouisSchools

We are excited to announce that Atlas Public Schools, Barbara C. Jordan Elementary - School District of University City, Premier Charter School, and Commons Lane Primary School - Ferguson-Florissant School District have been selected to participate in the $1 Million Emerson Early Literacy Challenge! Over the coming months, these schools will participate in one-on-one coaching and attend expert-led learning events to develop literacy plans aimed at improving third-grade reading proficiency. Stay tuned for updates as these schools begin their 2 year journey making strides toward literacy equity for students. “We’re thrilled to see such strong participation in the Emerson Early Literacy Challenge,” said Eric Scroggins, CEO of The Opportunity Trust. “This investment from Emerson is a pivotal moment for our region to witness the power of collaboration between traditional and charter public schools in making a real impact on student success." https://lnkd.in/gGhjQW6h #EmersonELC #StLouis #ClosingLiteracyGaps #NAACP #Emerson #MillionDollarChallenge

An inspiring new study from the Progressive Policy Institute suggests we’re on the right track toward building a more equitable and effective school system for ALL St. Louis students. The authors share evidence that points to a growing charter system ultimately having a positive impact on not just their own students, but on students at regional district schools as well. The report points out how St. Louis and Kansas City charter schools have narrowed achievement gaps in the state. To learn more, check out the linked article by The 74 Media that explores these findings. The article contains a link to the full study if you want to dive even deeper. #ARisingTide #CharterSchools #StLouisSchools #StLouisEducation #EducationEcosystem #StudentGrowth #StudentAchievement

ILF Cohort 2, "The Disruptors" recently convened for their first two meetings of the 2024-25 school year. They started the second year of their 2 year commitment learning how to structure data meetings, and continuing to develop their student work protocols. 100% of the cohort strongly agreed that the PD was 'highly impactful,' and are excited for the continued growth throughout their last year in the program. Check back for more updates as The Disruptors progress along their fellowship journey! #InstructionalLeaders #InstructionalLeadership #InstructionalLeadershipFellowship #ILF #ILFCohort2 #RaisingTheBar25 #TheDisruptors Allyson Anthony

Applications are now open to join the STL Pre-K Cooperative! This growing network of local Pre-K experts helps deliver funding, resources, and guidance to Pre-K providers looking to start up, expand, or improve their practice. Applications are now open to join the Cooperative - all providers serving children ages 3-5 are welcome in our work to expand access to high-quality Pre-K education for all of the residents of St. Louis City and County. We encourage anyone interested to join one of the upcoming info sessions: 💻Thursday 10/10, 2-3:30 PM via Zoom 📍Wednesday 11/6, 6:30-8:00 PM at the Delmar Divine (dinner will be served!) Learn more and register for an info session at https://lnkd.in/euP3JmXH #StLouis #Prek #ECE #EarlyLearning #STLPreKCooperative #StLouisSchools

Last call for nominations! We're looking for passionate community members to join our Reinvention by Community Selection Committee. This is a unique chance to make an impact in the lives of students and families in St. Louis. Learn more and submit your nomination today! https://lnkd.in/gahPpZZR #ReinventionByCommunity #GrantOpportunity #InnovativeSolutions #Entrepreneurs #StLouisEntrepreneurs #SelectionCommittee

The Opportunity Trust has awarded over $2.8 million in funding to three innovative charter public schools as part of the Expanding Opportunities: Missouri Charter School Program (CSP). These grants will create over 5,000 new enrollment opportunities, expanding access to quality education in Missouri! Congratulations to: 🌍 St. Louis Language Immersion School (SLLIS): Pre-K expansion, $380,873.84 🔬Gateway Science Academies: School expansion, $1,657,642.77 💻 Brookside Charter School: Hybrid virtual learning, $816,827.22 Learn more about these grant recipients and their plans for the funding in our latest blog post: https://lnkd.in/g5CGe2kR #CSP #CharterSchoolProgram #ExpandingOpportunity #CharterSchools #MissouriSchools #PublicCharterSchools #GrantAnnouncement Jesse Dixon Kelly Sales Meghan Hill Engin Blackstone Gateway Science Academy High School Concept Schools

Today may be the last day of National Literacy Month, but our work to promote literacy for the students of St. Louis is just getting started. There are a variety of efforts underway to encourage students, families, and schools across the region to adopt practices promoting literacy, but we are especially grateful to Carol Daniel for this in-depth interview with Black Men Read STL co-founder Keyon Watkins because while we know literacy is a challenge across demographics, Black St. Louisans are disproportionately affected by lack of access to high-quality literacy education. Please check out this incredibly powerful interview that explores some of the root causes behind the literacy gap, as well as some solutions already underway in our community. https://lnkd.in/eEiP29JT #LiteracyMonth #NationalLiteracyMonth #LiteracyInstruction #BlackMenRead #ListenStLouis #Literacy #LiteracyInstruction #LoveReading

When parents are engaged, students thrive. Sheilah Bass, a member of Bridge 2 Hope's Grandparent Action Team, highlights the importance of family support in education and how it can change the course of a child’s success! #ItTakesAVilllage #FamilyInvolvementInEducation #Collaboration #STLSchools #Bridge2Hope #HighQualityEducation #Thrive #StudentSupport