Partnership with Washington University
With less than five miles between Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) and the School District of University City, it’s no surprise that the two organizations work closely together to improve educational opportunities and community resources for students. The multifaceted and flourishing partnership includes support in social work, science outreach, professional development, student reading programs, tutoring, visiting teachers for various courses and much more.
The partnership began informally through various departments working with the District, but it became a formal partnership in 2009 when the organizations expanded it to a formal 25-year commitment of working together to improve educational opportunities for students. A few examples of this ongoing partnership are listed below. For more information about Washington University in St. Louis, visit www.wustl.edu.
The Big Read
Eighth graders at Brittany Woods Middle School will read The Giver by Lois Lowry, with books courtesy of WUSTL. About 80 students will join a video conference with the author while other students watch live, and all students will attend a performance at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus.
Modern Genetics
WUSTL’s Modern Genetics for All Students program provides lab-ready genetics materials for all biology students at University City High School.
Community Service
Nearly 200 freshmen from WUSTL painted classroom cabinets and inspirational quotes on walls at Brittany Woods as part of the University’s annual Service First initiative in the fall of 2010. Earlier in the year, students helped paint an exterior wall at the school. WUSTL students continue to serve their neighboring University City community.
Tutoring Support
WUSTL students volunteer as tutors and help students improve math, literacy and other skills. In addition, Saturday tutoring sessions take place at WUSTL for UCHS students who participate in the College Bound program.
Project-Based Learning
With the support of WUSTL for professional development and analysis, Brittany Woods piloted a project-based learning model during the 2010 Summer Learning Academy and will expand it to social studies courses over the next year. Teachers will visit the Eyes on the Prize interview collection, which includes first-hand accounts of the civil rights movement, and develop project-based lessons surrounding these resources.
Student Jurors
UCHS students who take the Law and You course are exposed to the trial process by participating as jurors for the WUSTL Law School’s Trial and Advocacy Program and Advanced Trial classes.
GK-12 Program
GK-12 Fellows, graduate students from Washington University supported by the National Science Foundation’s GK-12 Fellowship, design lessons and teach engineering, math and science at K-12 schools. Participating schools include University City High School and Brittany Woods Middle School. At Brittany Woods, the GK12 Fellow also works with the school's robotics team members to build and program robots used in competition.
Hands-On Science For Students
MySci shares classroom activities and enrichments aboard the Investigation Station, a vehicle with interactive exhibits and displays, with students at Barbara Jordan, Delmar-Harvard, Flynn Park, Jackson Park, and Nathaniel Hawthorne in 2010-11.
Master Teacher Program
UCHS teacher Tony Thomas participates in professional development opportunities for math and science teachers through the Robert Noyce Master Teacher Program at WUSTL, supported by the National Science Foundation.
Freshman Reading Program
Students in UCHS Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition will read The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid and participate in an on-campus discussion led by a WUSTL professor.
WashUCity Design Partnership
WUSTL students teach communication design lessons to design and art classes at UCHS through the WashUCity Design Partnership. Students also participate in field trips to the University campus.
