Saint Paul Public Schools to Open East African Elementary Magnet School

Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) is pleased to announce a new East African Elementary Magnet School will open in September 2023. The PreK-5 school is being designed in collaboration with members of the East African community who have asked the district for a high-quality, culturally responsive educational program that meets their needs.

 

The school will focus on the cultures and languages of East Africa, specifically the countries of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, and the languages of Somali, Amharic, Oromo, Tigrinya, Arabic and Swahili.

 

As the state's second-largest school district, SPPS is home to some of the most diverse schools in the state, where students from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds come together to learn and grow. Based on SPPS data on families’ home languages, East African students represent approximately 7.5% of the district’s K-12 enrollment (approximately 2,400 students). According to census data, 2.7% of the population in the Twin Cities metro area speak an East African language at home.

 

The new East African magnet school is a welcome addition to the district’s array of popular language and culture programs, including immersion programs in Mandarin, French, Hmong and Spanish, along with the longstanding American Indian studies program and new Karen language classes.

 

“This is a great step for Saint Paul Public Schools as we work together to provide an essential and meaningful opportunity to welcome more families into the state’s second-largest school district,” said SPPS Superintendent Joe Gothard. “This is something our community has been wanting for some time, and I am so proud to be taking this momentous step forward, together.”

 

The school will be led by longtime SPPS and community leader, Dr. Abdisalam Adam, as principal. “I’m beyond excited and honored to welcome students from all cultural backgrounds to this program. Educators know that a strong multilingual and multicultural education provides children with unique skills that set them on a path to succeed in a variety of careers,” said Dr. Adam. “This program will enrich all Minnesotans as we educate children who can help our state and country build bridges with East Africa to expand our friendships and global economy.”

 

Dr. Adam sees his role as a public intellectual with a determination to build a strong, nurturing school community that ensures success for all students. He is guided by the Somali proverb, “Lack of Education is Lack of Light,” and believes every child has the right to a world-class 21st century education. He has been with Saint Paul Public Schools since 1997 in a variety of roles, most recently as an assistant principal at Highland Park Senior High School.

 

Dr. Adam received his Doctor of Education and Administrative License from Bethel University, his Master's in Curriculum and Instruction from St. Cloud State University, and a B.A. in English as a Second Language from King Saud University in Saudi Arabia. In addition to the United States, he has lived in Somalia, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. He is a strong advocate for multilingualism and he speaks Somali, English and Arabic.

 

The school will open in the former Jackson Elementary building at 437 Edmund Ave. W. in St. Paul for the 2023-24 school year. Learn more about the program and how to enroll at spps.org/EastAfricanMagnet. On Friday, May 19, from 5:30-8 p.m., families are invited to Midway Peace Park (416 N. Griggs St.) to gather with the community, meet the principal and register for the upcoming school year.