Los Pen Academy Founded 2000

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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.

Upcoming Events

Dec 19th-Jan 2nd- Winter Break No School

January 16th- MLK Day No School

January 27th- Professional Growth Day No School

Feb 20th-24th- February Break No School

April 2nd-6th- Spring Break No School

May 28th- Memorial Day No School

June 7th- Last Day of School Dismissal at 12:15 p.m.

About Us

Los Penasquitos Elementary School is the proud recipient of the following awards:

2011 Golden Bell Award for Instruction

2011 National Blue Ribbon School

2010 Innovate Award

2009-10 Title I Academic Achievement Award

2009 Star School by the California Business for Excellence Foundation

2008 Innovation in Education Award

2000 California Distinguished School

2001 National Blue Ribbon School

We 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 DuFour

Five Pillars

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.

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.

In The News

Line Frame

Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher visits the Academy

Click here to read his blog.

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Longer Hours, School Year Paying Off For Local School

by 10news.com

President 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.

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School Loves Obama's Plan

by NBCsandiego.com

The Los Penasquitos Elementary Academy Foundation is hoping to raise money to keep its extended-day program alive.

Click here to see the video.

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Expanded Learning Time in Action

Elena Rocha

Center for American Progress

July 2008

Click the button and check out page 33!

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Hewlett- Packard donates $25,000 for the

HP Science Hour at Los Pen

Check out the articles:

San Diego Union-Tribune

North County Times

Corridor News

Channel 10 News

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Take Note Of Our Award Winning Teacher:

Kara Myers 2005-2006 Los Pen Elementary School Teacher of The Year

Kara Myers 2004-2005 Walmart Teacher of The Year

Anthony Bayro 2004-2005 Los Pen Elementary School Teacher of The Year

Laura D'Acquisto 2003-2004 Poway Unified Teacher of The Year

Ed Sandstrom 2002-2003 Los Pen Elementary School Teacher of The Year

Kristie Szentesi 1994-1995 San Diego County Teacher of The Year

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Other Articles about the Academy:

State Secretary for Education Richard Riordan tours the Academy

Striving 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

Results

CST Results

The California Standards Tests (CST) show how well students are doing in relation to the state content standards. Los Penasquitos Elementary School has scored a perfect 10/10 for five of the past six years in the API rankings. In fact, when compared to the 100 most similar schools in California, Los Penasquitos Elementary has ranked #1 out of 100 for three years. During that time, over 90% of our Academy 5th grade students demonstrated proficiency in science on the California Standards Test compared to 56% or less for the state. In fact, 62% of the Academy students scored advanced, the highest level attainable, compared to 25% for the state of California. Similar results have occured on the Language Arts and Math portions of the CST. Please see attached pdf file for specific results.