• The library is an open and inviting space located in the center of the building.
• The physical education program is taught by a full-time phys ed teacher.
The program includes the annual track and field days held in beautiful Langford Park, adjacent to the school playground.
There is also a springtime running club that culminates with participants running in a professionally-timed, 1-mile race. Over 200 students participate each year!
• There are weekly classes for students with an art specialist in the art room. Students paint, draw and sculpt clay pieces that are fired in the school’s own ceramic kiln.
• Students also study art history through the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s “Art Adventure” program.
When you visit the school, be sure to see the “I Spy—Spider Tree” mosaic near the office. It was a 2008 community art project inspired by the MIA program.
• The school partners each year with community arts organizations such as COMPAS, (a non-profit organization based in St. Paul, a widely-used resource for artist-residencies) and In the Heart of the Beast, a puppet and theatre company. These organizations work with SAP Elementary staff and students to customize residencies.
Every year, In the Heart of the Beast does a residency at the school with fourth grade that culminates in an original student-led performance.
• All students study vocal and instrumental music with the school’s full-time vocal music teacher.
The curriculum also includes reading and writing music, the study of music history and exciting performance opportunities.
• Environmental learning: The school has its own prairie garden and field trips include visits to Belwin Outdoor Science and overnight trips to environmental learning centers such as Camp St. Croix, and Wolf Ridge in northern Minnesota. Our Active Inquiry teacher works with students in younger grades out in the Langford School Forest, learning about the environment and the ecology of the land around us.
• There is a Peace Garden created in honor of the school’s designation as a Peace Site. The peace poles that stand there underscore the school’s commitment to learning about peaceful and non-violent conflict resolution, human rights and economic justice.
• The ELL (English Language Learners) program supports nearly 100 students who have a home language other than English (Spanish, Marathi, Chinese, Hmong, Tigrinya, German, Somali, Vietnamese, Finnish, Hebrew, Norwegian, Korean, Tamil, Hindi, Lithuanian and Bengali).
• SAP Elementary is a Discovery Club site, offering excellent and convenient childcare services.
• There is a friendly extended day learning (EDL) that offers academic assistance and enrichment opportunities to students. A math resource teacher support students during the school day.
• Destination ImagiNation, a competitive activity for students that requires creative problem solving and teamwork, is popular at the school. The school’s teams regularly advance to regional competition.
• The enrichment opportunities continue after school through SPPS Community Education offerings. There are classes in Spanish, art, engineering, creative writing, music, and other subjects.
• Many students participate in classes and recreation programs at nearby Langford Park.
