Los Pen Academy

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Los Pen Academy

Founded 2000

Upcoming Events 8/11- 8/20- 2010-2011 Summer Session8/25- Traditional School year beginsHelp us win $500,000 throughthe Kohls Cares Contest!Click here to vote.(Contest ends Sept. 3rd)

We are committed to creating a school that knows no limits to the academic success of each student.

Los Pen Pledge

We are proud to be part of the

very first No Excuses University!

TeachersBright Eager And Responsible Students The Los Penasquitos Academy is a school-within-a-school established in July of 2000 with an initial fourth and fifth grade class and has now grown to one third, two fourth, and two fifth grade rooms. The Academy is a unique 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade magnet program where families choose to have their child attend school for four additional hours each school week and an extra eight days during the summer. The extra time allows for added emphasis on literacy, science, math, and community building. All teachers carry a cell phone and are available to their students six days a week. We also dedicate a portion of our time to develop a culture of teamwork and camaraderie. An integral component to the success of our program is a strong emphasis on developing the student as a responsible, respectful person. The 2010 - 2011 school year will begin on August 11, 2010 and will continue for eight days to August 20, 2010. Students will then have a short break, and resume the school year on August 25, 2010, to June 9, 2010. Our school hours for all grades will be 8:05 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and 8:05 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Los Penasquitos Elementary School is the proud recipient of the following awards:2009-10 Title I Academic Achievement Award2009 Star School by the California Business for Excellence Foundation2008 Innovation in Education Award2000 California Distinguished School2001 National Blue Ribbon SchoolWe are recognized as the only three times earned 10-10 school in our district of 32,000 students.Our continued growth as a professional learning community was featured in a nationally recognized book titled Whatever it Takes by Dr. Rick DuFourPage 11Our mission is to help all students develop knowledge, skills, and character traits needed to excel in academically advanced high-school programs, distinguished universities and in the competitive world beyond. High ExpectationsThe Academy has well-defined, observable expectations for academic achievement and conduct. Every student is expected to be successful, and excuses for marginal performance that are based upon the background of students are never accepted. Choice and CommitmentStudent, parents, and teachers have chosen to be at this school. No one is forced to attend or participate. Everyone must make and uphold a commitment to the school and to each other, and agree to dedicate the time and effort necessary to achieve success. More TimeWe know that there are not shortcuts when it comes to helping students to succeed academically. Academy students attend school 44% more hours than do students in traditional classes. Both a longer school day and a longer school year give Academy students the extended time necessary to acquire the knowledge, skills, and character traits that are essential for success in rigorous high school programs, and for admission to competitive universities. Focus on ResultsThe Los Pen Academy focuses relentlessly on results. All students are expected to achieve, and excuses are never made based upon demographics. Hard work, responsible behavior, and persistence are valued above perceptions of native ability. Student achievement, as measured by tests and other objective standards, is expected to significantly outperform district averages. Authority to LeadThe principal who has responsibility for the Los Pen Academy has been given substantial control over budget, curriculum, and personnel issues. This is essential when providing leadership to a program that moves far beyond the status quo when testing the possibilities of student potential. Our YogaTEACHERS COMMITMENTI fully commit to the Academy in the following ways: I will do whatever it takes for students to learn.Cell phone messages may be left at any time, and I will return messages between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Friday.I will always protect the safety, interests and rights of all individuals at the Academy.PARENTS'/GUARDIANS' COMMITMENTWe fully commit to the Academy in the following ways: We will make sure that our child arrives at the Academy by 7:55 a.m. and stays until 3:00 p.m. every day except Wednesday (dismissal at 2:00pm on Wednesday). School begins on August 3, 2009 and ends on June 8, 2010.Our child will only miss school due to illness, medical appointments, or bereavement.We will notify the teacher prior to the start of school if our child will be absent from school.We will do whatever it takes for our child to learn.We will check our child's homework every night, let him/her call the teacher if there is a problem with the homework, sign and return all tests, and ensure that our child reads at least 180 minutes every week.We will always make ourselves available to our children, the school, and address any concerns they may have. We will carefully read all correspondence sent home from school. We will allow our child to go on Academy field trips.We understand that our child must follow the Academy rules so as to protect the safety, interests, and rights of all individuals at the school.We, not the school, are responsible for the behavior and actions of our child. Failure to adhere to these commitments may cause my child to lose various Academy privileges, and can lead to my child leaving the Academy and being returned to a traditional school setting.STUDENT'S COMMITMENTI will arrive at the Academy by 7:55 a.m. and stays until 3:00 p.m. every day except Wednesday (dismissal at 2:00pm on Wednesday). School begins on August 3, 2009 and ends on June 8, 2010.I will do whatever it takes to learn. I will always work, think, and behave in the best way I know. I will complete all my homework every night, I will call my teacher if I have a problem with homework or a problem about coming to school, and I will raise my hand and ask questions if I do not understand something in class.If I make a mistake, I will tell the truth and accept personal responsibility for my actions.I will always behave in a respectful manner that protects the safety, interests, and rights of every individual at the Academy.I am responsible for my own behavior. Failure to adhere to these commitments may cause me to lose various Academy privileges, and can lead to me leaving the Academy and being returned to a traditional school setting. ClassesLonger Hours, School Year Paying Off For Local Schoolby 10news.comPresident Obama said American schools need to have longer hours and longer school years. At Los Penasquitos Academy in Rancho Penasquitos, they've been doing that for 10 years.Click here to see the video.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------School Loves Obama's Planby NBCsandiego.comThe Los Penasquitos Elementary Academy Foundation is hoping to raise money to keep its extended-day program alive.Click here to see the video.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Expanded Learning Time in ActionElena RochaCenter for American ProgressJuly 2008Click the button and check out page 33!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hewlett- Packard donates $25,000 for the HP Science Hour at Los PenCheck out the articles:San Diego Union-TribuneNorth County TimesCorridor NewsChannel 10 News--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Take Note Of Our Award Winning Teacher:Kara Myers 2005-2006 Los Pen Elementary School Teacher of The YearKara Myers 2004-2005 Walmart Teacher of The YearAnthony Bayro 2004-2005 Los Pen Elementary School Teacher of The YearLaura D'Acquisto 2003-2004 Poway Unified Teacher of The YearEd Sandstrom 2002-2003 Los Pen Elementary School Teacher of The YearKristie Szentesi 1994-1995 San Diego County Teacher of The Year --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Other Articles about the Academy:State Secretary for Education Richard Riordan tours the AcademyStriving For Excellence (San Diego Union-Tribune 2003) by Blanca Gonzalez)State of the District Report (Poway Unified School District 2003-2004)Crazy About Studying (San Diego Union-Tribune 2005) by Blanca Gonzalez)Whatever It Takes: How Professional Learning Communities Respond When Kids Don't Learn by Richard DuFour, Rebecca DuFour, Robert Eaker, Gayle Karhanek. ISBN: 1-932127-28-3 ResultsCST ResultsThe California Standards Tests (CST) show how well students are doing in relation to the state content standards. The percentage of Los Penasquitos Academy students meeting Proficient or Advanced is recorded in the charts below. CST ResultsContact