About Ruth Harman Academy

The land that Ruth Harman Academy sits on was the home of the original Kenosha Airport. From our research, we learned that the airport was purchased from the city in 1940 by a female pilot named Ruth Harman, the first woman to manage and own an airport in Wisconsin. When learning about Ms. Harman’s history, we became fascinated with her and her aviation career. Billed as the “Girl Flyer” for her aerobatics, she was also the first female pilot to fly the mail since the beginning of air mail service. During World War II, Ms. Harman was one of fifty female instructors nationwide-the only one in Wisconsin-to train Navy Cadets in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. She also stood alongside Amelia Earhart in 1936 at Kenosha High School (now Reuther) during the Kenosha Forum Lecture series.

You might be wondering where aviation or flight fits into education. We reached out to Ms. Harman’s family, who currently reside in California, to learn a little more. We spoke with her daughter, Teri Cornwall, and learned that her mother (Harman) loved to teach and education was very important to her. In fact, education runs deep in their family with one of Ms. Harman’s daughters being a lifelong elementary educator, one granddaughter currently a middle school principal, and another granddaughter currently marketing for charter schools. The family gave us permission to use their late mother’s name and asked that we incorporate flight into the school logo to represent the upward trajectory charter schools are committed to in educating students.

Mission Statement

We will empower students to become lifelong learners by engaging them in meaningful experiences that promote inquiry, reflection, and real-world application of knowledge. We will prepare students to take leadership roles in their own lives by fostering a culture of responsibility, respect, and resilience.

Vision

We envision a future where students are motivated to take ownership of their education and eagerly chart their own paths, allowing all students to soar to their full potential.

 

Values

Our values are as follows:

Safe, Organized, Accountable, Respectful and Responsible

These are the values upon which our school behavior matrix and school rules are built. Together, they make our school acronym- SOAR.

 

Goals

Our school goals are aligned with Kenosha Unified School District’s learning goals. They are modified and adjusted yearly. This school year, the goals are as follows:

Our goal (3a) is that if we communicate purpose and content, then teachers can create small,

scaffolded student groups with goals and objectives for instructional outcomes, ensuring essential

standards are met or exceeded.

 

School Pledge

We pledge to be our best selves each and every day.

We will soar at Ruth Harman Academy by focusing on 

being safe, staying organized, holding ourselves accountable, and being respectful and responsible.

We will always work hard and be kind to those around us. 

We will have a great day the Ruth Harman Way!

 

School Team

Part of Ruth Harman’s aviation career had her performing aerobatics at air shows throughout the state of Wisconsin. It was during this time in her career that she was commonly referred to as the “Girl Flyer”. 

While Ruth Harman Academy does not currently have an athletics team, in honor of Ms. Harman’s aerobatic legacy, our official school team is “The Flyers”.

 

School Mascot

According to a records search through the University of Madison’s Library archives, Ruth Harman’s first owned airplane was a Taylor Cub. She purchased the plane on July 23rd, 1936. It had a 37-horsepower, four-cylinder opposed motor. 

In honor of her Taylor Cub plane, our official school mascot is Cubby, The Bear Cub Flyer. 

 

School Tagline

Ruth Harman Academy: Where kids go to Soar!