Mount Auburn International Academy (MAIA) is a college-preparatory, tuition-free, public charter school in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a member of the global SABIS® School Network. MAIA first opened its doors in the fall of 2008 to students in Kindergarten to Grade 9. For each subsequent year of operation, the school added one grade level until it reached a full K-12 program in the 2011-12 academic year. The school serves the children of families who reside in the inner city neighborhoods of Cincinnati and has a current enrollment of 476 students. Ninety-two (92) percent of its student body comes from low-income households. Despite many challenges, MAIA has made its mark on the academic map in Ohio and is proving every day that quality education is not a luxury that is elusive to large sections of society.
“We aim to provide a quality education while equipping our students with the academic and social skills they need to bridge the gaps in our communities,” said Ms. Wissam Sabbagh, MAIA School Director.
Academic Achievements
Like all members of the SABIS® School Network, MAIA implements the SABIS® Educational System, a comprehensive academic program that includes a challenging college-preparatory curriculum, proven teaching methodologies that engage each student in a community of learners, active monitoring of student progress, and ongoing individualized follow-up, all of which prepare students for successful admission to college or university and position them for future success. Replicated in both public and private schools, the SABIS® Educational System brings a high-quality education to students from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds in many countries around the globe.
At MAIA, students are provided a safe, disciplined, and positive environment that encourages learning and responsible behavior. Over the past four years, MAIA has reaped the benefits of the SABIS® Educational System and has made steady academic gains on the Ohio Achievement Assessments (OAA) and the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT). In the 2011-12 academic year, 6th grade students at MAIA out-performed the state in mathematics on the OAA, and MAIA 11th graders out-performed the state in four out of five OGT subjects. The school also earned “Continuous Improvement” status in the 2011-2012 academic year. “Continuous Improvement” is the third of 6 categories ranging from “Academic Emergency” to “Excellent with Distinction” that are used to reflect the school’s performance.
Drawing on a strong academic foundation, MAIA students are well-prepared for life after high school. In May of 2012, the school graduated its first class of 12th graders. “Celebrating our first graduation was a monumental moment for us,” stated Ms. Sabbagh. “I am very proud of each and every one of our graduates and am confident that every year we will continue to graduate more students equipped with the knowledge, resources, and experiences necessary to excel in college and beyond.”
SABIS Student Life Organization®
SABIS® believes that education is not limited to the classroom. By joining the SABIS Student Life Organization® (SLO®), an integral part of the SABIS® Educational System, students in all member schools have the opportunity to develop their academic, managerial, organizational, and leadership skills in a variety of academic and non-academic activities. These include activities such as peer tutoring, planning athletic activities and social events, organizing community service projects, and being involved in the school newspaper and school yearbook.
All MAIA students in grades 5-12 are encouraged to join SLO® and play an active role in their education, in creating a positive school atmosphere, and in getting involved in their community. Students are given opportunities to manage departments by becoming prefects, or they can participate in clubs, events, and extracurricular activities. By working with, and complementing the efforts of, the administration and academic staff, prefects and SLO® participants add value and dimension to themselves.
“Student Life is a place where students can be themselves and make a difference,” stated one MAIA student.
SLO® at MAIA engages more than 30 students who hold administrative positions as junior, senior, or deputy head prefects. Together this year they organized a number of events including a breast awareness campaign, school dances, pep-rallies, and a show about African-American history that was preceded by a dinner prepared by the school’s Cooking Club. The SLO® also rolled out a number of school community projects; one of which involved students painting the playground and a mural. MAIA student volunteers also continued to volunteer in coaching and mentoring activities at the school. By getting involved in such projects, students learn to take pride in their community, in their school, and in their education. “Student Life is a place for students to express themselves and take leadership in a meaningful way for things they are interested in,” said one MAIA staff member.
MAIA is a member of the global SABIS® School Network. Along will all SABIS® member schools, MAIA delivers outstanding results year after year and graduates new generations of students who are ready to face the challenges in college and beyond.
For more information about MAIA, visit www.maia-sabis.net.