The following article and photographs, prepared and submitted by the faculty at Lyles Crouch Traditional Academy, offer a profile of a school that is bound to achieve great things, thanks—in part—to their emphasis on getting local organizations and companies involved directly in the curriculum. Other schools would be wise to seek similar community partnerships.

Community Effort

Lyles Crouch Traditional Academy (LCTA) is a Friend of Core Knowledge school located in historic (Old Town) Alexandria, VA. Diverse and eclectic as the city itself, Lyles Crouch is an excellent example of demographic balance in a public school, both culturally and economically. After years of being passed over as a viable public school option for neighborhood families, Lyles Crouch is now being embraced by its surrounding neighborhood and community. In recent years, Core Knowledge has played an important role in drawing parents, community partners, and teachers to the school. Principal Dr. Patricia Zissios explains: “Core Knowledge engages children in active, experiential learning. It provides a framework that allows teacher creativity to extend and enrich the learning well beyond the confines of the classroom walls.” 

LCTA began its Core Knowledge journey in 2000 when it was reorganized as a Traditional Academy focus school. Former principal Lucretia Jackson established the Traditional Academy to attract a lottery pool that would help to diversify its uneven distribution of students. According to Ms. Jackson, “Our goal was to create a school with high academic standards, a traditional approach to teaching, and a curriculum that was aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning.” The Traditional model was a great success, and by 2003 LCTA test scores were among the highest in Alexandria.

In July of 2004, Dr. Patricia Zissios became principal of Lyles Crouch after spending thirty-one years in the Fairfax and Prince William County school systems. As the former principal of a Core Knowledge accredited school (Crestwood Elementary in Fairfax County), Dr. Zissios was firm in her belief that the Core Knowledge curriculum significantly enriched her students’ learning experience. Dr. Zissios knew that she had an excellent foundation for a Core Knowledge school — she now needed to convince teachers and parents that even a good school could benefit from using the Core Knowledge curriculum.

Gradually, teachers began to experiment with lessons from the Sequence material. Dr. Zissios also suggested an outdoor classroom for the in-progress playground renovation, and in turn created an ideal setting for active, outdoor learning. Of course testing did not go away, but Core Knowledge enrichment made learning come alive. Parents were thrilled about the creative and integrated learning approach as well as the emphasis on the arts. Children from all backgrounds were thriving, learning, and loving school. 

In the spring of 2006, PTA parents organized a comprehensive after-school program in order to provide supplemental enrichment for the students. Well known community organizations were willing to pair with Lyles Crouch on a variety of levels. These flagship partnerships were further enhanced when various participants agreed to tailor their activities to reinforce the Core Knowledge curriculum.

In September 2006, The Art League School of Old Town agreed to offer age differentiated classes two times per week, as did the Little Theatre of Alexandria (which is located only two blocks away). The Little Theatre actually developed a spiraling curriculum based entirely on Core Knowledge. Shakespeare, Fairy Tales, and Folk Heroes all tie back to the classroom while providing children with a fun and creative way to build upon what they learned at school. Lyles Crouch PTA VP Kelly Lowder explained that “Core Knowledge is so accessible because it is such a solid, easy to understand curriculum — the Sequence guide makes it easy for parents and community partners to get involved.” The Little Theatre has also agreed to host Lyles Crouch four times a year as a reading incentive reward. In March, more than two hundred students walked the two blocks to the Theatre to watch a fabulous performance of various fables — all derived from Core Knowledge and written especially for LCTA.

Other partners include Roots and Shoots, which is the Youth Leadership arm of the Jane Goodall Foundation. Located in nearby Arlington, Roots and Shoots coordinators have visited the school and actively support the program. Dr. Zissios surmises “For learning to be meaningful it must have substance. What more substance could you ask for than true artists, real actors and practicing humanitarians partnering with our students to engage in the learning process? Active, hands-on learning experiences are an integral part of the Core Knowledge model.”

Core Knowledge has helped to make Lyles Crouch a vibrant place to teach and learn. As a result, neighborhood parents that once would have chosen other alternatives are increasingly choosing to send their children to their neighborhood school. Community partners like what they see at Lyles Crouch and want to help support Core Knowledge through tailored programs. Changing to a Core Knowledge school takes time and patience, and Lyles Crouch is a work in progress. Dr. Zissios has good reason to be pleased.

Next article