In its fourth year, Hiawatha Academies (formerly known as Hiawatha Leadership Academy), currently serves 375 scholars in its K-4 program.  Founded in 2007, with seven teachers and 140 Kindergartners and 1st graders, it opened in the annex classrooms of St. Joan of Arc church in Minneapolis. Each year, Hiawatha Academies added a full grade level of students on route to serve grades K –12.  In 2009, Hiawatha's elementary school moved to its present and permanent location – the former Morris Park Elementary School, to better serve the  K-4 program.

In Spring 2010 MCA-II tests, 70% of the students scored Proficient or Advanced in Reading and Math demonstrating that closing the achievement gap is possible in Minneapolis. These scores also placed Hiawatha atop the Charter School Partners ‘Closing the Gap’ Schools (Link) and the Star Tribune’s ‘Beating the Odds’ (Link) rankings.

In 2011, Hiawatha Academies will open a 5th grade in its second school, Adelante College Prep that will eventually serve grades 5 – 8.

Click here to see a PDF of Hiawatha's academic results for FY10:   Hiawatha Dashboard.pdf

Executive Director: Shannon Blankenship                                                                       

Address: 3810 East 56th Street.  Minneapolis, MN 5541                                                       

Website: hiawathaacademies.org

Email: info@hlaschool.org                                                                                     

Phone: (612) 987-5688

Authorizer:Augsburg College

Core Strengths

Hiawatha Academy is one of Minneapolis' brightest young schools.  After only three years of operation, the students at the school have shown impressive proficiency rates and yearly  academic growth. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Hiawatha's offering is ELL and Kindergarten remediation programs.  While 80% of Hiawatha's scholars enter Kindergarten speaking very little or no English, Hi

awatha's staff teaches them to read quickly.  This is evident on the FY10 Stanford 10 results where, in the Fall, the students tested at the 10th percentile on average.  In the Spring, they tested at the 50th percentile on average.

A major factor in Hiawatha's success has been the implementation of data-driven planning and instruction.  Hiawatha uses a variety of the NWEA MAP, the Standford 10, the STEP Assessments and in-house custom interim assessments to drive instruction.  The new academic deans at Hiawatha are pioneering a model of education that involves constant feedback and assessment for students, teachers and administrators.  

Of course, successful charter schools start with a quality leader. Shannon Blankenship, a Teach for America alum who was a Fisher Fellowship with the KIPP program, brings extensive background, experience and passion to the mission of closing the achievement gap. His strong leadership team has also been key to Hiawatha’s success. http://www.hiawathaacademies.org/team/leadership