Sankofa Montessori

Minutes

Academic Committee Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday October 7, 2026 at 5:30 PM

Through a culturally responsive, child and family-centered Montessori education, Sankofa Montessori ensures that all of our students develop the knowledge, skill, and agency to have a life of purpose.

Committee Members Present

A. Allen-Thames (remote), M. Davis (remote)

Committee Members Absent

None

Guests Present

Krista Harrell (remote), R. Barnes (remote), S. Harvey (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

A. Allen-Thames called a meeting of the Academic Excellence Committee of Sankofa Montessori to order on Wednesday Oct 7, 2026 at 5:32 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

M. Davis made a motion to approve the minutes from Academic Committee Meeting on 09-09-26.
A. Allen-Thames seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Leadership Team Updates

1. Enrollment status- Current enrollment status and efforts for enrollment fundraising & School Attendance 

145 Students enrolled (148 out of 165 goal).  Goals-Primary-(34/50), Lower El-(62/75), Upper El-(waitlist).  K 34 1st 35 2nd 27 3rd 20 4th 17 5th 15 

 

2. Personnel Updates- Updates on staffing and updates regarding professional development of staff. Staff Attendance

12 Flight Captains, 5 Co-Guides, 1 Custodian, 1 PT Nurse, 4 Flight Control Members, 2 Flight Tower Members----3 Vacancies (Personnel)- Montessori Contractor, PE teacher, and SPED Lead

 

Staff Absences- September- Flight Control-2, Flight Tower-2, Flight Captains-21, Co-Guides-11

 

3. Updates on school suspensions/expulsions by grade

September data- 11 Out of School Suspension, 9 In School Suspension

Top reasons- Physical assault, Terroristic threats, Chronic Disciplinary Problems

 

4. Standardized Testing and Screening Data Updates- Any outstanding outcome data per grade from fall assessments if applicable. Updates/Preliminary Results if applicable (I.e. NWEA Fall MAP, IXL and DIBELS data.  

Discussed Data Dashboard in Academic Task Force Meeting.  NWEA Fall MAP data (see goals for current status). 

 

5. Discuss School-Parent (PTO)-any updates for upcoming SY26-27.  N/A 

 

6. SCSC Follow Ups- CCRPI data review-Discussed potential next meeting in Jan 2027 for ANET, Winter NWEA MAP Data.  

 

7. Other Important Updates- Discussed prep for upcoming SCSC site visit in November and renewal planning. 

E.

Special Education

B. Discussion of Special Education 

 

• Discuss student enrollment #/% of student population with suspected and/or 

identified special needs-   Total SPED 21 students, 14.2% of students.  Noted 3 students for immediate SPED consideration. 10 MTSS, 5 ESOL, 9 504s

 

• Any updates on staffing for Special Needs and progress of Special Ed classroom • Any updates on classroom integration of special needs and updates on external supports for special needs (ie Speech, ABA, OT/PT)- N/A

 

• Any updates on psycho-educational testing for students- plans/progress-N/A

F.

Gifted Student Services

C. Discussion of Gifted Services 

 

  • Discuss student enrollment #/% of student population with suspected and/or identified for gifted services- Total 7 students, 4.7% student population

 

  • Discuss plans for data tracking/allocating #/% of students for appropriate funding per student for special services or gifted services- Board member asked about tracking/evaluating for gifted services based on recent Fall NWEA MAP

G.

SY 26-27 Goals

G. SY26-27Goals Discuss Presenter Krista Harrell

 

Any updates or changes to the short term and long term goals for school year - Presented data stats regarding academic goals for SY26-27.  Noted NWEA MAP Math goal for students to be at/above 61st percentile, NWEA ELA goal for students to be at/above 41st percentile.  Currently, 39% (53 out of 133 students) reached Math goal (Fall MAP).  Currently, 53% (69 out 131 students) reached ELA goal (Fall MAP).  2nd grade leading in goals.  Leadership team discussed with board members plans/approaches by targeting areas of concern by concepts per grade MAP scores.  Additionally, OG literacy plans.  Board member did ask leadership to consider how board could support and to consider ways to supplement for 3rd-5th graders (ie Afterschool tutorials). 

 

Any outstanding items or updates on grants/funding/external partnerships for school year-N/A

II. Public Comments/Questions

A.

Public Comment

A. Public Comment 

 

Speakers please limit questions/comments to 2 minute.

 

No public comment for this meeting

III. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:38 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
A. Allen-Thames