Minneapolis – When Agamim Classical Academy – the nation’s first public school boasting a Classical approach to education with an emphasis on Hebrew language learning – welcomes its first class of kindergarteners, first-, second-, and third-graders this fall in Hopkins, Minn., its executive director, Miranda Morton will be more than ready.

A seasoned educator with over 12 years of experience in Classical education, Morton says she’s thrilled to be the first leader of the school and to bring an additional option to the more than 1000 students who now sit on waitlists for Classical charter schools in the metro area.

“The logic, beauty, and order of the Hebrew language align extraordinarily well with Classical instruction,” says Morton. “I was attracted to Agamim’s focus on producing well-rounded citizens who value the rich cultural and intellectual history of America and who will understand through their studies what it means to forge an American identity grounded in the ideals of liberty, E Pluribus Unum, and gratitude.”

Authorized by the Minnesota Department of Education, Agamim is a K-8, free, public charter school, located in the Interlachen Park neighborhood of Hopkins, just west of Minneapolis. This first year, the school will teach kindergarten through third grade, and will grow one grade each year until it becomes a K-8 school.

“The school’s distinction lies in its three pillars: American values, Hebrew language, and virtuous character,” says Serena Harad, a founding board member of the school. “With Ms. Morton’s seasoned leadership in Classical charter schools, and the Hebrew Charter School Center’s expertise in Hebrew language instruction, Agamim will begin year one with 19 years of combined experience and six partner schools. Not many first-year schools have such an advantage.”

Morton holds a BA in art and art history from Lawrence University and an MA in educational leadership from Cardinal Stritch University. She began her career teaching 7th and 8th grade English, science, and art history in a Classical Core Knowledge charter school in Wisconsin.  In 2008 Morton moved into a leadership position at Nova Classical Academy in St. Paul, where she served first as director of the Lower School and then director of the Upper School.

Applications to Agamim Classical Academy are available online at www.agamim.org. Agamim is one of seven schools nationwide, supported by the Hebrew Charter School Center, based in New York.

The Hebrew Charter School Center (HCSC) is building a national network of academically rigorous dual-language charter schools that teach children of all backgrounds to become fluent and literate in Modern Hebrew and prepare them to be productive global citizens. (www.hebrewcharters.org)