New Song Academy

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1530 Presstman Street, Baltimore, MD 21217
County: Baltimore City
Grades:  PK - 8
410-728-2091
Principal: Douglas Fireside
School # 0322
NewSongCommunityLearningCenter.org
Report Card


What makes us unique?

New Song Community Learning Center (NSCLC) uses the reading/writing workshop model of instruction for all grades. This research based curriculum from the Teachers College in New York City focuses on developing life-long learners who see themselves as doing what readers and writers do. Our state test results reflect that this approach meets the needs of students as we have for the past 4 years exceeded the district average outcomes. As we get ready to move to our new building and expand our programming to include additional classes in each grade level we continue our move towards the Expeditionary Learning model that incorporates project based learning and authentic experiences for students.


Mission and Vision:

New Song in the heart of Sandtown Winchester focuses on developing the academic, intellectual, social and emotional growth of students; strengthening the interpersonal dynamics of families for life-long learning, growth and development; and advancing community development and leadership anchored in social justice. New Song is a nurturing, educationally challenging, equitable and inclusive environment providing exceptional academic and educational experiences forming the foundation of a healthy intellectual social and emotional set of skills for negotiating education and other pursuits important to the student and family.


Community:

New Song Academy was born from the idea that the community has untapped strengths and gifts. As such we engage with multiple community partners including Safe Streets, the Martin Pollack Project, Towson University, and CUTS. New Song has also partnered with Simplify Math as we realign our math instructional practices to meet the demands our students face. 

As we grow, we will continue to partner with community organizations that support our mission. Our operator continues to develop strong relationships with partner organizations.


Programs:

  • Advisory: New Song uses both PAX and a modified CREW model for students in advisory
  • After School Programs: Math/ELA tutoring, Basketball League, Robotics
  • Arts Integration: Partnership with Towson University Arts
  • Community School
  • Dress Code
  • Experiential Learning/Project Based: Adopting the Expeditionary Learning model
  • Extracurricular Activities: Music
  • PTO/PTA
  • Responsive Classroom
  • Restorative Practices: Our whole child team focuses on how we can best anticipate and respond to the needs of our students and their families. We have 2 social workers, a licensed clinician and a clinical intern from the University of Maryland, and two full time whole child team members who know each of our students and their families and work closely together throughout the year to ensure every student is successful.  
  • STEM: Students access technology and robotics as part of our daily schedule. Additionally, STEM activities are offered after-school.
  • Summer Programs: New Song has an extended year which means that, while we are in school for 180 days, we have 6 six-week sessions and are in school from Sept – July with intersession breaks in between each session.


Lottery Preferences:

  • Siblings of current students
  • Neighborhood
  • Teachers and staff


Principal's Message:

I am most proud of my school community when we are most proud of our school community when we come together to recognize the challenges we face – systemic disenfranchisement, food insecurity, and the need to create strong connections – and create and bring in the needed resources to address those challenges. We have served generations of families within the Sandtown-Winchester community where strong families, and resiliency are woven into the fabric of our school. We are continuing to create strong futures for each other.