Sometimes, like in the business world, it’s not just what you know but also who you know. At El Paso Leadership Academy (EPLA) East, we take it one step farther: we believe that emotional connections are just as important as social ones. In fact, knowing and connecting with each and every scholar is so essential at our school, we check in multiple times a day because we demand the best for you. Here’s how:
1. Teachers & Staff Are In The Know
Our amazing teachers and staff are our first line of connection at EPLA East. Right when you arrive for school, we are there with a hello and a high five. You are welcomed and seen. Then, at our grade level Morning Circle, teachers are discreetly scanning to assess how scholars are doing- including you! Are you hunched over, still frazzled from your older sister hassling you on the way to school? Teachers notice, giving you space if that’s what you need, but also giving a reassuring smile, encouraging you to take a deep breath and refocus on your bright day ahead.
At our small school, teachers and staff are trained in wellness checks and operate with an inquisitive mindset rather than an assumptive one. We make sure to look at the whole picture when checking in; we engage in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and it is embedded in everything we do. At EPLA East, SEL is not just a unit in class we teach once a year.
As part of our wellness checks, we observe and talk with groups of kids, making connections and building relationships. We also invite all of our EPLA East students to seek out a teacher, counselor or staffer if ever help is needed – with any personal challenges. We’re here for you!
2. Power Hour & Power Connections
Another way we connect with our scholars at our tuition-free public school, is our daily Power Hour. This is a time set aside to work with your advisor and concentrate on what you need that day and in the days to come to reach your academic goals. Our personalized learning philosophy lends itself naturally to interacting with scholars on an individual level, giving us time to check-in and see what is needed. Emerging bilingual students might use the time to master new grammar or vocabulary. Scholars needing extra math support could use this time to work on tricky fractions. Or maybe you’re taking a college class and want help understanding a new business concept- your Power Hour advisor is there to assist!
3. Two-way Connecting
Connecting works both ways. Teachers are checking in but you can also advocate for what you need. One of our innovative goals at EPLA East is giving you freedom and autonomy. This enables you to check-in with us to get what you want, like letting us know you’ve met your daily objective so now you’re going to go toss a football around outside. Yes you can! It also builds leadership skills and sets you up for life in the real world and how you will connect with co-workers and bosses.
4. Connecting with Peers
Connections with teachers matter, but so do connections with peers and at our small, public school. We have lots of ways to connect socially. We kick off our school year with a couple weeks of getting to know each other, in a playful and relaxed way. We join clubs – held during the day to ensure everyone can join in – and meet kids with similar interests.
In our high school, we connect with kids we don’t know through our House system. In Middle School, scholars work together to lead a weekly assembly celebrating our CRSHH program, which means you have to collectively figure out how to pull it off. Teamwork makes the dream work!
And don’t forget about sports. We don’t. We coach great teams in basketball, softball, baseball, soccer, cheer, and volleyball. Our coaches encourage connecting with new friends on and off the playing field.
5. Easy Ways We All Connect
We want our families to be a part of our school community, too – so we offer involvement for everyone. We welcome ALL families – ones that have been in the area for decades, ones that just moved here, and our military families at Fort Bliss. Families have a direct line to their child’s advisor so there is an open (and easy!) way for everyone to check-in.
Our vision at EPLA East is creating a nurturing environment as a collaborative organization. We make sure that every scholar is known and no one is anonymous at our school. We connect with our scholars every day because we care deeply about you!
Learn more about enrolling at EPLA East by calling us at (915) 298-3901. Fill out an application today and join our innovative middle and high school!
About El Paso Leadership Academy East
El Paso Leadership Academy East (EPLA East) is a small, tuition-free public charter school serving middle and high school students in El Paso Texas. We’re reimagining education from the ground up, starting with our intentionally designed building and continuing that with our scholars’ innovative and personalized education. We work with community partnerships in preparing our scholars to become dynamic leaders in the 21st century. We stress the importance of collaboration and accountability in all we do. Join our growing school. Enroll today!
