• Category 3

    Selected in 2022

  • Grades: k - 8
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 94,067
    Student Enrollment: 396
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 1.5%
    White/Caucasian: 81%
    Hispanic: 10%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0.5%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 7%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:10
    % Reduced Lunch: 40%
    % ELL Learners: 3%
    Founded: 2000
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Dr. Sarena Fuller
  • CONTACT:
    2030 US Hwy 70
    Swannanoa, NC 28778
    828-298-2787
    sarena.fuller@artspacecharter.org
ArtSpace Charter School
Swannanoa, NC
"The greatest contributing factor to the school's success is the community."
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
ArtSpace Charter School is a unique, dynamic learning community established over 20 years ago to be "audacious" and "bold" in our efforts to reach and teach the whole child through the arts. The school is successful primarily because there is a culture that embraces one another along our collective learning journey. We believe in the inherent value and limitless potential of all of our students, and strive to create learning opportunities that leverage their natural curiosities and strengths. We know that learning can be messy and that progress is not linear- and that is ok.

Every student can find a way to be successful at ArtSpace. Teaching academic content through multiple modalities is a significant part of the school's success. Arts integration provides a non-threatening access point for learning that reaches all students, regardless of their backgrounds or skills. Not only do the arts reach students, it empowers them, and the staff to take their learning to the next level.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
The greatest contributing factor to the school's success is the community. Students, parents, families, community members, and teachers work together diligently to make learning a positive and rewarding experience for all students. Regular collaborative time with various stakeholder groups has clearly contributed to progress by giving all stakeholders input on what works best for our students.

The collaborative time is intentionally built into the school day schedule. In addition to regular team, committee, and board meetings, the Arts Integration and Student Support Team meet with homeroom teachers weekly and monthly on a rotating basis. The meetings are clearly outlined and structured for collaboration on academic content, interdisciplinary lessons, best practice pedagogy, and intervention plans. No one works in a silo at ArtSpace. Every student is the responsibility of every professional and we are accountable to one another for our collective success.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
ESEA funding has been critical to our students' success. ArtSpace thrives with federal funding resources that are dedicated to direct student support and instruction. ESEA funds have been used to invest in highly qualified staff, helping the school reach a 10:1 student-staff ratio.

ArtSpace recognizes the needs of all students, including those not traditionally represented by designated, targeted subgroups. ArtSpace focuses on enhancing baseline, universal services in tandem with a robust Exceptional Children program and Student Support Process.

The Title I program focuses on literacy through use of research based interventions in a small group setting under the direction of licensed teachers. Title I has had a profound impact on closing the achievement gap and addressing learning loss due to the pandemic. Title IV supports our afterschool program, Encore Academy which offers homework support, high-dose tutoring, and enrichment. Funding also supports math instructional specialists.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
Professional development is developed annually through careful consideration of needs assessment (a data driven reflection of self-report and student achievement criteria), teachers’ professional development plans, and School Improvement Team goals. The administrative team consistently reviews all feedback forms, student data trends, and big picture goals to manage a plan that supports teaching and learning, elevating our practice in and out of the classroom. Most recently, this has been focused on pandemic-driven needs.

While PD was designed to focus on learning recovery in math and mental health, there is broad acknowledgement among leadership and staff that creating a culturally inclusive and trauma sensitive school climate is imperative to any other work. Therefore, the No Place for Hate staff committee collaborated with leadership to design intentional workshops, readings, independent work, and immersive experiences to elevate staff proficiency in equity work.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
The pandemic was a pivotal moment for the school. Through the shutdowns, our theme was "connections." As we transitioned back to school, the theme became "growth." Now, as we are seeing momentum building, we are focused on "building." This has been an intentional, collaborative effort to respond to the very real, urgent needs of our students. This collaborative process encouraged a shared sense of ownership and responsibility. This shift resulted in “growth mindset” put into action with an understanding that every stakeholder plays a vital role.

The school also prioritized learning for all students by increasing assistants, specialists, and interventionists which increased the amount of support students receive. This required a shift to make sure that each staff member is working as part of a multidisciplinary team instead of in isolation. This holistic approach requires time and planning, but has changed the way the team interacts and how we guide student supports.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Our community consists of a wealth of advocates and experts in their fields. We have always had an open door policy and believe that community members provide meaningful opportunities for students to engage in experiential learning and make connections to the culture and resources in our community. Partnering with outside service providers has enabled the school to address the needs of students and families navigating obstacles to quality education. Prioritizing the needs of the educationally disadvantaged through community engagement levels the playing field so that every child can be successful.

In addition, Being a small charter school, partnering with outside agencies has been imperative to our success. Contracting services and getting input from community resources such as Occupational Therapists and Clinical Mental Health Counselors have helped us reach a broader population, as well as increase our staff knowledge in how to support children in a variety of different ways.
Stats
  • Category 3

    Selected in 2022

  • Grades: k - 8
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 94,067
    Student Enrollment: 396
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 1.5%
    White/Caucasian: 81%
    Hispanic: 10%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0.5%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 7%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:10
    % Reduced Lunch: 40%
    % ELL Learners: 3%
    Founded: 2000
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Dr. Sarena Fuller
  • CONTACT:
    2030 US Hwy 70
    Swannanoa, NC 28778
    828-298-2787
    sarena.fuller@artspacecharter.org