Brick Gateway Elementary School
At BRICK Gateway Elementary School, we provide a nurturing environment for kids in grades K-5, focusing on the development of the whole-child and creating an unimpeded path for all children to unlock their limitless potential.
About
At Gateway Academy Elementary, we are dedicated to setting kids up for a lifetime of learning; helping students to foster the skills, character, and values that will prepare them for academic and personal success. Together with families and the community, Gateway Academy nurtures students’ intellect and identities to prepare them to graduate from college and chart their own course. We support kids to develop a sense of agency and determine their own futures abundant with opportunity, wellness, and joy.
We stay committed to our guiding principles: providing culturally relevant pedagogy, a whole-child social emotional learning focus, holistic support services for the whole family, and college and career readiness.
Gateway Academy goes above and beyond by providing supportive services for the entire family, as part of our mission to break down barriers to success. We focus not only on a rigorous academic program but also on “out of the classroom” supports to break down external barriers to a successful academic journey. This holistic approach ensures that our scholars are on an unimpeded path to unlocking their limitless potential.
Approach
Support key areas
At Gateway Academy Elementary, we believe that for children to thrive, they need support in several key areas:
- Mental health: Addressing the mental health needs of our students to help them cope with challenges and lead fulfilling lives.
- Personal identity: Helping students understand and appreciate their own identities and the power within them.
- College ready academics: Ensuring students are academically prepared for college and future opportunities.
- Cognitive development: Fostering the mental capabilities necessary for successful learning and productive lives.
- Physical health: Supporting the physical health needs of our students.
- Social-Emotional learning: Encouraging students to build positive relationships, develop empathy, and manage their emotions effectively.
Implementation key areas
At Gateway Academy, we implement a comprehensive approach to meet these needs through our focus in four key areas:
- Culturally relevant pedagogy: Our academic program integrates multiple aspects of student achievement and supports, upholding their cultural identities while preparing them for college. We employ teachers and staff who reflect the diversity of our student body, fostering a supportive and inclusive school environment.
- Whole-child development and social emotional learning (SEL): Through the Ubuntu Program, we nurture a supportive culture that embraces the principle "I am who I am because of who we all are." This helps students develop positive identities and fosters a sense of community and belonging.
- Holistic support network: Our network includes access to quality healthcare, family case management, workforce development, affordable housing, and early childhood education. These services ensure that students and their families have the necessary support for overall well-being.
- College and career ready: We ensure students aren’t just college ready, but life ready. We equip students with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to succeed in higher education and the workforce, ensuring they are well-prepared for future academic and career opportunities.
By integrating these focus areas into our approach, we ensure that every child at Gateway Academy has the support they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
"The teachers are so observant, thoughtful, and helpful. I am so happy with Gateway Academy...the whole entire staff is wonderful."
Parent, Gateway Academy Elementary School
Student life
Our students, faculty, staff, parents, families, and alumni bring a diversity of life experiences to our school, creating a supportive and dynamic learning community. We strive to give our students a sense of community and belonging, while also helping each one cultivate their unique talents, find their individual voice, and reach their full potential. Beyond the classroom, we offer extracurricular activities, events, and programming for the whole family, fostering a strong sense of community and care.
Our students thrive with opportunities to explore, be curious, make mistakes, and try again, building inner resilience. In turn, BRICK students become leaders who enrich our community and the world with their ideas and perspectives.
Core Values
Gateway Academy Elementary School stays rooted in our core values:
- Identity
- Diligence
- Respect
- Empathy
- A+ Self Control
- Model Student