Principal's Message

Welcome to the Payne STEAM Academy!

 

The 2019-2020 school year represents a hallmark in Payne’s illustrious history with the conversion of Beulah Payne Elementary School to the Payne P-8 STEAM Academy. The school is located in what is known as Inglewood’s central corridor, just one mile down the street from the entrance to the NFL’s SoFi Stadium. Significant modernization at Payne in 2018-2019 included construction of new, modular middle school classrooms with state-of-the-art technology and 21st Century flexible furnishings, brand new furnishings and supplies for two preschool classrooms, new windows in all Kinder and First Grade classrooms, new air conditioning units in all classrooms, a new playground, and exterior painting of the entire campus.

 

To match our modernized learning facilities, a number of new and exciting programs are being introduced this year as part of our instructional focus on STEAM – Science-Technology-Engineering-Arts-Math. All Payne scholars in grades TK-6 receive professional music instruction through Education Through Music Los Angeles. 3rd-4th graders will learn to play the recorder and students in grades 5 and 6 will learn the ukulele. All TK-6 students

 

For students in grades 6-8 we offer an alternative to a traditional middle school/junior high setting for parents/guardians seeking to keep their young adults in a smaller learning environment that is still a part of the community school. While these students have separate schedules and facilities from the elementary-aged students, we look to these scholars as role models for their younger peers and empower them to participate in the school’s leadership. Elective courses in grades 7 and 8 include Robotics, Life Skills, and Leadership. In addition, Math and ELA/ELD Intervention courses are available for students needing additional support in those core subject areas.

 

The veteran staff at Payne are highly qualified and dedicated educators with high expectations for every student’s academic success, and a commitment to guide students through rigorous, standards-based learning experiences that elicit communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. Payne boasts a strong and dedicated PTA that help to plan incredible events and activities that make being a Payne STEAM Academy scholar fun. These include our Halloween/Dia De Los Muertos parade, Winter Festival, STEM Fair, Read Across America Week., and International Day. In addition, Payne is committed to a Positive Interventions and Supports initiative to support and positively recognize our students for their efforts and commitment to our core values: Safety-Responsibility-Respect. At Payne, we focus on the needs of the whole child.

 

I welcome you to visit our campus and join our team as we build upon Payne’s rich traditions to provide a safe, clean, fun, student-centered 21st Century learning environment.

 

Sincerely,

 

Brian Coffey, Ed.D.

Principal