Why the 4 in 4 Learning?
To understand is to know our origin story.
4 Learning is the next iteration of the origin of both Studio 4 and the High School for Recording Arts. Studio 4 began as a professional recording studio founded by David “TC” Ellis after his stint with his childhood friend and music/recording arts legend Prince. When David was thinking of the name for his new recording studio, he was working with a group called “Down 4 Dirt” — a cool name for a rap group coming up in the 1990’s hip hop years. He borrowed the 4 from that group and named his studio, Studio 4.
However, after deciding to create a public charter school and forming a partnership between Studio 4 and HSRA, when asked what the “4” represented, the original reason didn’t quite fit anymore. Off the top of his head like a rap free style, he said the “4” stood for Family, Respect, Community and Education. Those four values have been the glue that has sustained HSRA’s school and community.
“Re-engaging youth in their high school education through their interest and passion for recording arts.”
Since 1998, HSRA has been successfully working with young people who have been pushed and kicked out of traditional schools by re-engaging them in their high school education through their interest and passion for recording arts and other creative endeavors.
Over the course of this time, under the direction of HSRA’s executive director Tony Simmons, the pillars that have become the foundation of the learning model have become the principals and design essentials that are at the heart of the 4 Learning approach to learning solutions.
4 Learning was created to serve the ongoing interest and requests we’ve received by facilitators of learning and education leaders across the US and internationally who want to learn why and how we do what we do.
High School for Recording Arts is an independent public charter school located in beautiful St. Paul, MN.
