Story
A Season of Giving
SAST's 2021 Giving Tuesday is a kickoff to a season of giving. Our goals for this year's Giving Tuesday include collecting $10,000 in pledges or donations and securing a minimum of 50 recurring donors. The day serves as a catalyst to build momentum towards our annual fundraising goal of $40,000.
Please give what you can to help us meet these goals. We are only able to accept a one time donation through this platform. If you prefer to make a recurring donation, click here .
What is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement fueled by social media that brought in over $500 million dollars of donations in one day. Kindness and generosity are encouraged as people work together to give back to their communities in more than just dollars.
Since joining the Giving Tuesday movement, SAST has received more than $40,000 in donations from SAST families and the Tallahassee community, all collected or pledged in one day during each of the past four years!
This Year's Challenges
The COVID-19 pandemic created new challenges and new costs for our school. Teachers and staff took on new roles as we reduced class sizes and opened the Digital Academy. New furniture, materials, and technology were required to outfit new classrooms and home offices. Chromebooks, tablets, and laptops were purchased to support online learning. Cleaning protocols required ample supplies of PPE, sanitizers, and disinfectants as well as the hiring of additional custodial staff. Ventilation systems were upgraded and more effective filters were purchased.
Despite the challenges of 2020, SAST continues to be a proven educational alternative for K-8 students in Leon County. Students, staff, and families are working harder than ever to rebuild our school community, and strengthen our connections. Making SAST the recipient of your recurring donation beginning November30th ensures that our diverse student population continues to benefit from the SAST Difference.
What is the SAST Difference?
We are high achieving.
SAST is consistently a top-ranked independent public charter school, both in Leon County and in Florida.
Named as one of the top eight most innovative charter schools in the nation by The U.S. Department of Education Office of Innovation and Improvement and featured in the Departments publication Innovations in Education: Successful Charter Schools
In recognition of our history of financial stewardship and school management, Leon County Schools awarded SAS the first fifteen-year charter.
We have earned an A grade from the Florida Department of Education every year and have been designated as a high performing charter school by the FLDOE.
The Florida Department of Education awarded SAST a designation of School of Excellence; a distinction shared with only 84 other schools in the state.
We are unique.
Emphasis on social-emotional learning, building relationships, and forging leadership skills
Connected, supportive community of students, families, and staff
Consideration of the whole child, not just test scores
Thematic learning prioritizes hands-on experiences and inquiry-based projects
Student portfolios measure growth of knowledge, skills, and attitudes
Traditions like Friday Sing and Showcases provide opportunities for public speaking and creative performances
1 to 14 teacher-student ratio in multi-age K-5 classrooms
Spanish instruction beginning in Kindergarten
Gardening program teaches seeds to seasoning
STREAM Makerspace lab fosters critical thinking and problem solving
We are an exceptional choice.
Throughout our twenty-two-year history, our impact has been substantial and our achievements numerous. Our database of applicants consistently far exceeds the number of students we can enroll. Students and families want to experience an SAST education as they value our interdisciplinary approach to the arts and sciences and our safe and nurturing learning environment.
Thank you for investing in excellence and supporting the SAST Difference. Gifts of every size help ensure our continued success.
