EXPO for Excellence Magnet School prepares students with the skills and knowledge they need to participate and thrive in a multicultural, global world. EXPO engages students in an active and rigorous curriculum to prepare students for the 21st century. Through languages, science, arts, LifeSkills, and community learning projects we provide child-centered educational opportunities in a multi-age environment.
Our mission is firmly grounded in our core values of the importance of community, multi-intelligences and multiple learning styles, appreciation of diversity, thematic education, and our belief in child-centered, responsive education. EXPO boasts a half-day four year old kindergarten, all day kindergarten and follows a multi-age model for other grades.
First and second grade students are "linked" together in a combination of looping and multi-age programming. Third and fourth grade are multi-age classrooms, as are fifth and sixth grades. The home-base educators collaborate with specialists including a gifted and talented specialist, and specialists in the humanities/visual arts, music, science, band and orchestra, physical education, special education, mathematics and reading. Students use of technology prepares them to create knowledge, not memorize factual knowledge. Partnerships like our SCRATCH pilot project with MIT help students to be prepared for the knowledge society.
EXPO has a partnered with the MN International Center to bring international speakers to add depth and a human story to the subjects that our students are studying. EXPO educators are nationally known for using multiple learning styles to help children learn and to connect their learning to the global world. EXPO students learn through languages, numbers, rhythms, art, body movements and much more.
EXPO curricula is rigorous, enriched and includes inquiry, real life experiences, service learning projects and volunteering. Literacy education includes Readers and Writers Workshop. Mathematics instruction is aligned K-6 with opportunities for advancement and enrichment.
Special Features:
- Discovery Club offers an enriching extended day program before and after school (fee charged).
- Opportunities for students to advance and have enrichment opportunities in math.
- Gifted/talented specialist who works within all classrooms to provide differentiated lessons to challenge learners.
- Partnerships with the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Ordway Center.
- ELL learners and special education students are integral members of regular classrooms.
- Enrichment classes, including Spanish, Hmong , French and Norwegian, are currently being offered to all students.
- Our students benefit from having Amity aides and an after-school Community Education program.
- EXPO educators implement both Responsive Classroom and teach the importance of LifeSkills.
