MSAT WILL NO LONGER EXIST AS A NOVATO-CHARTERED SCHOOL
It is with great sadness, that Envision Schools announces our first school, Marin School of Arts & Technology (MSAT), will no longer exist as a Novato-chartered school due to an extremely difficult working relationship with the Novato Unified School District (NUSD). Envision Schools is equally saddened for the families, students, teachers, and staff members of MSAT, who found a school and a community in which they could thrive academically and personally.
While NUSD has made it impossible for MSAT's doors to stay open, over a hundred and fifty families have decided to send their child to an Envision School in San Francisco. The strong community and standard of educational excellence initially created and nurtured at MSAT, but prevelant in all our schools, will continue to flourish at our San Francisco schools. We are proud that our vision and model for education transcends politics and bureaucratic concerns.
Envision Schools acknowledges the incredible leadership of MSAT's principal, Stewart Fox, and MSAT's leadership team for their hard work and dedication in trying to keep the school open.
MSAT has shown us that the work we do everyday to build community around a transformative educational experience pays huge dividends. Our work leads to results like these at MSAT:
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Accrediting Commission recently awarded MSAT a six-year term of accreditation, the best possible outcome and extraordinarily rare for a 4-year-old school.
68% of MSAT's first senior class has been accepted to at least one 4-year college with over $800,000 awarded in financial aid. The average MSAT senior garnered $12,000 in financial aid.
The senior class boasts a National Merit Scholar and student acceptances to schools such as Stanford, UCLA, UC Davis, Wake Forest, Northeastern, and other prestigious colleges.
100% of MSAT graduates met the course requirements for entrance into the University of California system. Statewide, 25% of graduates meet those requirements.
Our students have thrived in the school's innovative project-based learning curriculum, consistently producing powerful and creative displays of work through exhibitions.
The CDE awarded MSAT a Dissemination Grant to support other schools in implementing the Envision education model. Our school was one of two charter schools across California to win a Dissemination Grant last year.
For even more results, please visit our Points of Pride section.
For significant communications information in regards to MSAT, please click here for a PDF version of a letter sent by Chris Pelgrift, Envision Schools' CFO, to Marla Blackledge, NUSD's CFO. See our Ad in the Marin IJ
MSAT is dedicated to helping students achieve personal and academic success. By using proven best practices for teaching and learning, MSAT will graduate students who will demonstrate:
Knowledge and academic skills necessary for success in college and career.
Habits and skills associated with academic excellence, innovation, creative expression, problem solving, and entrepreneurship.
Mastery of leadership, artistic, and technological skills.
Based on a nationally recognized and award-winning model for secondary education, MSAT opened in the fall of 2003. In 2004-05, MSAT has 9th and 10th graders organized in two integrated teams. The curriculum is integrated, interdisciplinary, and project based.
Beyond solid preparation for college, MSAT offers a personalized atmosphere for all students. Every student is well known by staff and each student has an Advisor who acts as his//her advocate at MSAT.
In addition to meeting all the requirements for entrance into the University of California or California State University systems, MSAT graduates will demonstrate mastery of the following Leadership Skills:
