Folk Arts Integration: Empowering Students through Cultural Roots and Community Engagement

Folk Arts - Cultural Treasures Charter School: An Education That Engages Students with Culture Community

Established in 2007 during the Lunar New Year, Folk Arts – Cultural Treasures Charter School FACTS has been at the forefront of educational reform that integrates cultural and community roots into its academic framework.

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to equip students for life's present realities while preparing them as active citizens in a democratic society through an exemplary education that leverages traditional arts and cultures intrinsic to their communities, serving as catalysts for critical inquiry and community engagement.

FACILITATING AN INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

At FACTS Charter School, we are committed to providing students with high academic standards, emphasizing the unique cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and racial backgrounds that define our diverse student body from Philadelphia's City. The school serves as a bridge for Asian-American immigrant and refugee students, prioritizing their needs while creating an environment that fosters equity, justice, public investment, community engagement, and a shared space in Chinatown.

OUR BACKGROUND

Born out of a decade-and-a-half struggle advocating for equitable education practices and investments in the under-served Chinatown neighborhood, FACTS Charter School embodies our vision. Founded by Asian-Americans United AAU, this charter school is designed with expertise specifically tlored to support Asian-American immigrant students. It addresses barriers like isolation, unfamiliarity with institutions, language gaps that hinder parental participation in their children's education, and empowers students with essential life skills for a successful future.

Mandarin Chinese is a cornerstone of our curriculum as it echoes the linguistic heritage found within our community's heart – Chinatown. By teaching Mandarin, we m to cultivate respect, responsibility, contribution, and learning from our environment while also acknowledging the value of linguistic diversity in today's global society.

Factually, though FACTS Charter School focuses on serving Asian-American and immigrant students, it is committed to being a multi-racialmulti-ethnic school. This inclusive approach embodies an anti-racist education model that embraces diversity while addressing inequalities and promoting justice among our student body.

The cultural fabric woven throughout the school curriculum stems from traditional folk arts, which we have partnered with Philadelphia Folklore Project in nurturing over time. These arts promote community values by valuing knowledge within our school environment and beyond; they encourage through recognizing contributions of ordinary people as artists and culture creators; they foster understanding and appreciation for diverse cultural identities among students.

The ultimate goal is to provide students with an enriching educational experience that:

1. Increases academic performance and nurtures critical thinking skills

2. Affirms cultural, linguistic heritage, and traditional arts

3. Instills values of empathy and kindness

4. Empowers responsibility-taking in their personal growth and community involvement

5. Celebrates the constant presence of parents, elders, and community members in students' lives

6. Inspires a vision of justice and frness alongside courage to pursue them

As an educational institution committed to social justice, FACTS Charter School stands proud in its commitment to fostering a thriving environment where each child's journey towards excellence is both enriched with cultural roots and empowered by community engagement.

For additional information or inquiries:

Folk Arts - Cultural Treasures Charter School

1023 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123

Phone: 215-569-2600 Fax: 215-569-3985
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