May 28, 2008 11:02 pm US/Central
New Charter School With Girl-Focused Curriculum
ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
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On St. Paul's East Side, eager students come to listen to what the Laura Jeffrey Academy is all about.
CBS
This fall the first public school in Minnesota focused on girls will open in St. Paul. Fifth- through eighth-graders are signing up for Laura Jeffrey Academy where students will see extra emphasis on subjects girls often lose interest in while attending middle school.
On St. Paul's East Side, eager students come to listen to what the Laura Jeffrey Academy is all about.
"It really sounds interesting and I really want to learn more," said 10-year-old Carina Ruiz. She signed up for the charter school which will open next fall near Macalester College.
The schools founder stress this is a "girl-focused school" not a "girls-only school". Minnesota charter school law said you can't ban someone on the basis of their sex.
None of the 40 fifth- through eighth-graders signed up so far are boys, but if they want boys can attend.
Maggie Knutson, who is in charge of the curriculum at the new academy, said the school doesn't expect boys to want to attend, but the school will be ready if any do.
"We just want to make sure that the environment would be a great place for that boy and all of the girls," said Knutson.
For many of the young girls the lack of boys is the draw.
"I think it will be better because boys are really disrupting," said prospective student Carolyn Berrera.
One of the big draws is the 1-to-12 teacher-student ratio. A Medtronic grant will provide a state-of-the-art science lab.
Studies show girls often lose interest in math and science around middle school. Future students hope a focus on those subjects will help them realize their dreams.
The Laura Jeffrey Academy charter school is named for a long-time St. Paul librarian.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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