The Los Pen Academy is a choice program driven by belief that all students can learn and achieve at high levels. The Academy school year is extended by 8 days during the summer and an additional hour each school day. Students, parents, and teachers work collaboratively to develop strategies that support learning. A "whatever-it-takes" philosophy permeates every Academy classroom.
High Expectations
The 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 Commitment
Student, 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 Time
We 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 Results
The 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 Lead
The 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.
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The Contract
Los Pen Academy is a choice program that is open to students of all abilities in 3rd through 5th grade within Poway Unified School District. Students, parents, and teachers must make a three-way commitment to be at the Los Pen Academy. Prior to signing the contract, teachers meet with every individual family. All participants must sign and uphold the contract to the school, to each other, and agree to dedicate the time and effort necessary to achieve success.
TEACHERS COMMITMENT
I 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' COMMITMENT
We fully commit to the Academy in the following ways:
We will make sure that our child arrives at the Academy by 8:00 a.m. and stays until 3:10 p.m. every day except Wednesday (dismissal at 2:00pm on Wednesday).
School begins on August 11, 2010 and ends on June 9, 2011.
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 COMMITMENT
I will arrive at the Academy by 8:00a.m. and stays until 3:10 p.m. every day except Wednesday (dismissal at 2:00pm on Wednesday).
School begins on August 11, 2010 and ends on June 9, 2011.
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.
