To understand where E.L. Haynes is going, it helps to look at where it started. When Jennie Niles founded the school in 2004, she established a sharp, deliberate focus on science and math. Naming the school after Dr. Euphemia Lofton Haynes, the first Black woman to earn a PhD in math, wasn’t just a tribute; it established foundational DNA that remains today.
Fast forward to an all-staff meeting this past March. CEO Toni Barton reflected on a unique opportunity to lean into the multitude of strengths across campuses, continue this legacy in a modern way, and—in her exact words—”get us back to who we were designed to be.” This is the essence of looking back to move forward.
Barton holds a bold vision for the school’s future to get them there. She calls it “E.L. Haynes 3.0,” and the goal is ambitious: to make E.L. Haynes the city’s first fully integrated STEAM school from PK-3 through 12th grade.
“For us,” Barton shares, “the through-line of STEAM across a PK-12 design is essential for building genuine intellectual rigor.” This means creating a continuous arc, ensuring students move beyond surface-level exposure to achieve progressively deeper mastery within and across subjects over their entire educational journey.
You can already see this vision in action. STEAM—an educational approach that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math—is woven throughout the elementary school day. Kindergarten through Fifth graders receive engaging science instruction from Brianna Williams (Queen B) at least once a week, while Pre-K students practice foundational science skills at dedicated centers throughout the week. Meanwhile, mathematicians across all grades receive daily instruction, with frequent opportunities to apply those skills throughout the day.
Queen B’s science class is just one piece of a broader, magnificent Specials program, joining music with Mr. Byrd, fitness with Ms. Maria, dance with Ms. Deaunna, and art with Mr. Khanh. Together, these classes give students the chance to fully immerse themselves in the arts and move their bodies in healthy, creative ways.
In her daily classes and at the Science Fair, Queen B has seen firsthand how STEAM helps build confidence and promote creativity in her students. Along with providing the chance to solve real-world problems, she notes that science gives kids “a space to express themselves, take risks, and collaborate,” successfully building both academic and social-emotional skills.
Ultimately, a STEAM-forward program provides students with the chance to flex their critical-thinking muscles through dialogue and inquiry. These are real-life skills that serve them well not only academically, but in their daily lives.
You can see the culture taking root when you talk to students like first-grader Ibrahim K. For him, STEAM-based learning has provided a newfound confidence when facing challenges. As he puts it: “If I don’t know how to do something, I can use science, because in science you can do a lot of hard things. I can try it the science way.”
The science way. It is a perfect distillation of looking back at the school’s founding principles to move forward confidently.
Written by Alana Canterbury | Alana is an elementary reading intervention teacher and a Haynes parent. When she’s not rounding up students for a reading session, you can find her with her nose in a book.