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The Hmong American Peace Academy is committed to developing scholars who approach learning with rigor. On quarterly syllabi, teachers map out the course of learning with expectations stated in print. Besides becoming critical thinkers, good communicators, and thoughtful workers, scholars are expected to develop themselves as professionals in their manner of conduct. Therefore, teachers focus on the whole person mind, body and spirit as they prepare lessons.
The Hmong American Peace Academy expects scholars to become proficient readers, writers, and thinkers in each subject matter by the time they graduate. Trans-disciplinary work is also expected. By the end of 10th grade, scholars will complete a personal project that inter-weaves learning from the various disciplines with a community issue of personal interest. By 12th grade graduation, scholars complete an extended essay and a theory of knowledge class. In these ways, scholars learn how to apply their learning in a personally and socially relevant manner thereby preparing them for higher education.
Education is our business. The programs offered to develop scholars intellectually at Hmong American Peace Academy are both rigorous and rich in their content. Scholars begin their schooling with advance concepts in mathematics in grades K4-3rd grade. Reading programs are built on a foundation of phonemic awareness, phonics, and literature beginning in the preschool program. The science and social studies programs are made rigorous through the infusion of reading and writing across the curriculum, not to mention hands-on opportunities to explore these content subjects. Overall HAPA prepares scholars to read, write, and research. With these skills scholars are able to explore any discipline. The ultimate goal of the K4-8 program is to produce critical thinkers who will use their learning skills to be peaceful and productive citizens.
HAPA offers a full day program for four-and five-year-olds, five days a week. Our goal is to ensure that all scholars are ready to read, write, and do math by the time they complete the K5 kindergarten program. To meet this goal, scholars learn about math, reading, writing, science, social studies, language, music, art, Hmong culture and physical education.
HAPA provides first to fifth grade scholars with a rich and rigorous academic program. They are taught reading, math, writing, science, social studies, grammar, music, art and physical education.
The middle school program is designed to support scholars as they continue to gain independence, maturity and proficiency as they bridge the gap between elementary school and high school. Our programs also prepare middle school scholars for further studies in college and career opportunities.
Reading
Middle school reading uses research-based programs such as the Open Court Reading curriculum and Foundations and Frameworks. Scholars are engaged in individual, small group and whole class reading experiences where their active participation is required in class discussions and written assignments.
Math
The middle school math curriculum is taught using Saxon Math, a text book program fits the different learning styles of all children.
Science and General Sciences
Individual and group activities increase scholars’ understanding of science and technology in a meaningful and relatable way.
Social Studies
The social studies program involves the study of geography, history, economics, government and current events. Additional topics of focus include cultural heritage, global perspective, political and economic systems, tradition and change, social history, technology, peace, interdependence and citizenship.
Eighth grade scholars also participate in Project Citizen. Through this program, scholars receive information on how to monitor and influence public policy as well as interact with state and congressional districts.
Hmong Culture Strengths
Middle school scholars are required to take a Hmong Culture class each year. In the class, scholars strengthen their speaking and writing skills while learning about the history and values of their culture.
Capturing Kids’ Hearts
Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH) promotes and sustains relationships between teachers and scholars. CKH believes if educators reach a scholar’s heart, the educator also has his head; creating positive relationships makes a difference in scholar achievement.
Recognizing that the Hmong community has a large English Language Learner (ELL) population, the school has invested in several forms of support. ELL teachers work collaboratively with classroom teachers to ensure scholars are receiving adequate assistance. These bilingual professionals also provide translation services for parents and guardians to reduce the language barrier between home and school.
Educational field studies are an integral part of HAPA and give scholars first-hand experiences. Field studies are planned with pre-study activities and instruction, as well as a post-study wrap-up where scholars debrief and apply what they have learned.
Giving progress report access to parents and guardians has always been a goal of Hmong American Peace Academy staff members. Through an online grading system called TeacherEase the school is able to offer this access. All parents have to do is request for a login and once their account is set up, they can log in using their email address and password to view scholar progress. Teacher comments, missing homework assignments, test scores, mid-quarter grade averages, and even daily assignments are reported into this system on a weekly and often daily basis. Parents now have one more way they can actively participate in their scholar’s academic progress. Parents are encouraged to call the school for further assistance to answer any questions about opening a private TeacherEase account.
