Manzanita SEED Elementary
2409 E. 27th St.
Oakland, CA 94606 (Map & Directions)
510-535-2832 phone
510-535-2834 fax
Katherine Carter, Principal
katherine.carter@ousd.k12.ca.us
Manzanita SEED is a member of the OSF Family Engagement and Leadership Initiative.
Imagine a school where families truly partner in their children’s education.
Imagine students fluent in Spanish and English by 5th grade.
Imagine children excited about what they are learning in school.
Manzanita SEED is such a school. SEED stands for School of Expeditionary learning, Equity, and Diversity. SEED opened in Fall of 2005 and serves the San Antonio neighborhood in Oakland.
SEED’s approach to learning includes:
• Expeditionary Learning
Expeditionary Learning emphasizes learning by doing, with a particular focus on character growth, teamwork, reflection, and literacy. Students study in-depth, rich topics, such as water quality or civil rights. These learning expeditions link academic content areas. Transformative learning occurs because skills and understandings are immediately needed and applied. As students become more invested in their work, the quality improves, their test scores rise, and disciplinary problems decease.
• Family, School, and Community Integration
It takes a whole community to raise a child. SEED values this shared responsibly by including the whole community in our programs and being guided by the opinions and desires of the families we serve. In addition, our goal through local service-based activities is for students to become integrated and active members of their communities.
• Language and Culture Focus
At SEED, we value and validate all of our students’ home languages and cultures--we are very diverse with more than eight languages spoken. Our dual language immersion program in Spanish and English is based on nationally recognized models and research. Schools in which students study academic content areas in two languages have been proven to increase academic achievement across content areas, as well as develop bilingualism and bi-literacy.
SEED provides a healthy, nourishing environment for every child to grow and develop strong roots in the major languages and cultures of our community.
SEED prepares students to branch out into the world as bilingual and bi-literate leaders and life-long learners.
At SEED, children gain an understanding and respect of themselves, their community, and the world.
School Program
SEED offers children and families:
• Personalized learning plans
• Learning in two languages (Spanish & English)
• Rigorous, standards based curriculum
• High standards for academic and social success
• Extended day kindergarten
• After school programs
• Small class size
• Student exhibitions and performances
• Family Resource Center
SEED provides teachers with:
• Professional development opportunities
• A yearly stipend for books and materials
• Daily time for planning, collaboration and professional development
• 2-3 days per year for conferences and school-site visits
• Support and Coaching through:
o Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound (ELOB)
o Bay Area Coalition for Equitable Schools (BayCES)
• Small class sizes for all grade levels
• Opportunities to observe successful classrooms
• Voice and input in developing the school program and policies
• A safe, respectful, caring, and professionally rich work environment
Results
According to the 2005-06 Use Your Voice survey administered by the district:
• 89% of parents are strongly satisfied with the teachers at SEED.
• 91% of parents plan to re-enroll their child at SEED.