Latino Studies Academy at Burns
In January of 2009, COMPASS Youth Collaborative, Inc. partnered and was designated as the lead agency at Latino Studies Academy at Burns (LSA) to implement community school strategies to support student success at LSA. COMPASS Youth Collaborative, Inc. is currently the lead agency. Latino Studies Academy is located in the Frog Hollow neighborhood of Hartford, has a long standing history of excellence in education for academic achievement. LSA is accredited by NEASC. Students in grades PK-8 receive a comprehensive education based on their educational, linguistic and special needs. A combination of new and old facilities house 21 mono-lingual/English classrooms, bilingual and transitional/Spanish-English classrooms.
In 2004, LSA incorporated a dual language program in PK through 4th grade to facilitate students’ continuation in the program. Two cornerstones of this process are teacher and parent training and community business partnerships that more fully serve our population.
• The Family Resource Center
Other resources include:
• Aetna Insurance
• The Hartford Courant
LSA LIMITED PROFILE
195 Putnam Street
Hartford, CT 06106
North Frog Hollow Neighborhood
School Enrollment: 687 (All students have access to Community School Programs)
Enrollment in Afterschool: 150 students (After-school program is available to students in grades 3-8; Grades 1-2 will begin in November 2010).
LSA at BURNS ADMINISTRATION
Monica Brase, Principal
Maria Sierra, Executive Assistant to the Principal
Scarlett Wong, Vice Principal
LEAD AGENCY STAFF
Elizabeth Giannetta, Community School Director, 860.695.3002
Enrique Sierra, Community School Coordinator, 860.695.3006
Evelyn DeLaCruz, Program Coordinator, 860.695.2987
Deanna Mendez, Program Coordinator, 860.695.2987
Kimberly DeJesus, Administrative Assistant, 860.695.3002
Constance Mack, Education Coordinator
The Latino Studies Academy(LSA) is a dynamic PK-8 community-based school serving Hartford as the first of two language study schools. Its sister school, the Dwight/Bellizzi Asian Studies Academy(ASA), opened in September 2010. Both schools will interact through shared student activities and events. Students who complete the Latino Studies program will be promoted to a new Advanced World Languages High School where they can continue their world affairs and language-based studies.
All students at the Latino Studies Academy will participate in an inclusive educational program focusing on literacy, science, social studies, art, mathematics and Spanish which begins in kindergarten, ensuring nine years of world language study. The curriculum will integrate a comprehensive study of the cultures, communications, languages and communities of Latin American countries aligned with the standards and grade-level expectations outlined by the Connecticut State Department of Education.
School Improvement Plans and Activities
Latino Studies Academy at Burns (LSA) is committed to continuing to address the needs of its student body, especially the large number of students with limited proficiency in English and other special needs. LSA students have shown gains with reading and math. The School Improvement Plan focuses on targeting specific areas of weakness in reading, math and writing through data analysis and training on specific research and instructional strategies that increase student achievement. The Latino Studies Academy provides students with a computer-based supplemental reading and math programs. Coaching is provided to the instructional staff (teachers, tutors and volunteers) by faciliator's in math and literacy and an instructional coach. In 2009, administrators and staff implemented the Joyce Epstein Model for increased parental involvement.