Learning during COVID-19: Milwaukee Academy of Science
Quick action enables a fast rollout of distance learning for more than 1,200 students
By: Isral DeBruin
As schools shift to serve students remotely during the COVID-19 crisis, some are emerging as standouts. These schools aren’t stopping at basic worksheet packets and instead are offering students coordinated, school-wide, comprehensive distance learning. City Forward Collective is highlighting these schools to spread best practices and encourage others to keep students moving forward.
Like many schools, Milwaukee Academy of Science didn’t have a plan for distance learning back in February. While COVID-19 was in the news, few understood it would quickly lead to something like statewide school closures.
It was Feb. 27 when Dr. Ajay Sahajpal asked MAS CEO Anthony McHenry whether the school was prepared for the impact of COVID-19. Sahajpal is a surgeon at Advocate Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, and a member of the school’s board of directors. Specifically, Sahajpal wanted to know: Was MAS ready to provide distance learning to its students if it was forced to close? McHenry had to tell him, “No.”
The MAS team got right to work. They didn’t know it, but they had just over two weeks to get ready for March 17, when schools would close by order of Gov. Tony Evers. The result? The first school day after the closure, MAS had plans in place for every child to continue moving forward. High school students could even continue earning credits toward graduation.
The school distributed Chromebooks to any middle and high school students without home computers, making sure every student could access learning through Google Classroom. In some cases, school staff members delivered the devices directly to students’ homes.
For the elementary grades, teachers set up instruction through Google Classroom for students with access to technology and internet service, and others received hard-copy learning materials.
Through the Class Dojo platform, educators stay connected with students and caregivers. Teachers and administrators are sending messages, sharing read-alouds, and giving shout-outs to keep the positivity and momentum going while kids are learning at home. STEM-focused classes have continued, with high school engineering students currently completing a coding unit through code.org, and elementary students competing in at-home design/build challenges.
High school staff have worked hard at creative ways to maintain culture and community. The principal hosted a workout video. The Dean of Students creates competitions, with the top prize the winner’s choice of meal, delivered via DoorDash. Teachers and students have gotten together virtually for movie nights and group video games.
School administrators are checking in with each teacher weekly to receive updates on student progress, discuss concerns about student access to instruction, and to connect staff with resources and trainings to help deliver effective online instruction.
MAS is also providing curbside meal service for its students and all other school-aged children. Deliveries are available for families who are unable to leave their homes. As of April 16, 6,000 meals have been given out, as have 250 at-home school supply kits with things like mini whiteboards to facilitate distance learning.
As McHenry noted in a recent newsletter: “MAS is not closed, we are simply servicing our scholars differently.”
FACTS & FIGURES
Milwaukee Academy of Science is a public charter school authorized by the Milwaukee Common Council.
- Grades: K4–12
- Enrollment: 1,220 students
- Student demographics: 97.9% Black; 1.2% Latin@; 0.3% White; 0.2% Asian; 0.2% Two or More Races; 0.1% American Indian
- Students from economically disadvantaged households: 92.5%
- Students with special needs: 8%
- Students with limited English proficiency: 0%
- State rating: Exceeds Expectations
2019–20 data from https://wisedash.dpi.wi.gov/
Isral DeBruin is director of strategy and communication at City Forward Collective. He is a former elementary school teacher and award-winning education reporter.
