NVLA incorporates best practices from current, widely respected educational theory in order to continually refine its curriculum. Some of the features of our program include:
- High priority on academics above all.
- Individualized reading programs. Rather than all children at a given grade level reading the same material at once, our children move forward as quickly as they like.
- Tailored mathematics programs. Children in the same grade have many different levels of math, and extra help or new challenges are provided by additional faculty members.
- Mix of traditional and progressive teaching methodologies. Some lessons at NVLA are taught traditionally with tried and true methodologies (such as phonics and math facts) whereas other subjects involve open-ended inquiry, projects and multi-media.
- Technology skills and applications are incorporated into the school day in a one-to-one student to laptop program.
- Students are required to demonstrate 100% mastery of a skill before they move on. Testing is done in a separate classroom. If a student has not achieved mastery, he or she is gently re-taught until ready to move on.
- Mastery can be tested traditionally with pen and paper, but often we prefer to have children demonstrate their understanding by creating models.
- Purpose and application of knowledge is stressed. We ask, “How would you use what you just read in your life?”
- We teach children how to study and how to recognize in themselves when they aren’t learning and how to get back on track.
- We emphasize that children look up the words they don’t know in the dictionary as opposed to looking for context clues right away. They then learn exactly what words mean as opposed to “sort of” what words mean.
- We teach children concepts whenever possible with the actual object – right there to see and touch. If this is not possible we use other visuals.
- Both high performance and creativity are encouraged and nurtured.
- Students have Physical Education for one hour daily in a vigorous and fun program that develops strength, flexibility and balance, along with learning sports.
- Students take the CTP-4 standardized test (from the Educational Records Bureau and designed to be used in private schools) twice a year for curriculum development and program refinement.
- We serve an organic, balanced, sugar-free, low-fat breakfast and lunch each day to all of our students. There is a no-sugar policy at the school.
- We teach our children to be leaders – to reflect on the choices they make and actions they take for themselves.
- In addition to our core academic literacy and mathematics programs, our students are exposed to a wide range of curricular areas. These fields are: Living Skills, Spanish, Dance/Performing Arts, Science, Physical Education, Karate, Yoga, Communications, Social Studies, Leadership Development, Music, Robotics, Technology, Etiquette, and Art.
- Curriculum aligns with California State Standards; however students work a baseline grade level above in reading, writing and mathematics.
- We stress a partnership with parents that requires parents to ensure that their children come to school on time, in addition to being well-rested and well-fed. Also stressed is that television time be limited.
- A longer school day (ends at 4 p.m.) means less homework and more family time in the evening.
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