The Office of Academics

The Office of Academics serves as an umbrella for the district’s birth to adult education services.  The office is comprised of  seven departments/programs and four executive directors of education (two elementary, one middle grades, and one high school).  These four executive directors are responsible for providing direction, curriculum, and instructional support to 50 elementary schools of which two are K-8 schools, eight middle schools, seven high schools, and one K-12 school.  The seven departments/programs provide complementary and supplemental educational services to schools.  These departments/programs include:  AYP Supports and Four-Year-Old Programs; the Center for Professional Development; Community Education; English Language Learner Department; Guidance, Counseling, and Related Services; and Special Education Department.

The AYP Supports and Four-Year-Old Programs direct and coordinate the district’s efforts aimed at raising student achievement in schools identified for improvement under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and oversee the operations of Project Early Kindergarten and School Readiness and Community Kindergarten which provide high-quality early childhood programs.

The Center for Professional Development provides a standards-based, learning-centered professional development environment for all staff, and is dedicated to the collaborative efforts needed to support systemic change in an urban school district where adults take collective responsibility for helping all students to learn at high levels.

Community Education seeks to improve the quality of life by providing lifelong learning opportunities for all members of the community.  Community Education involves five major programs:  (1) adult basic education, (2) adult special needs programs, (3) community programming, and (4) family education.

The English Language Learner Department helps students acquire and build the English language skills needed to succeed academically.  The department offers content-based ESL programs, which strive to promote students’ English language proficiency and mastery of academic content by integrating content and language objectives.

The Special Education Department recognizes and supports the importance of individualizing the educational experience to meet the unique needs of each student from birth to age 21.  The focus is to provide students with the tools necessary to become self-sufficient, contributing members of society.

By aligning research, curriculum, resources, assessments and professional development, the Office of Academics guides staff in delivering a collaborative and highly accountable education experience in every school building and program in Saint Paul Public Schools.