Our Promise
Laura Jeffrey Academy will provide an environment where students are free to learn, to explore their potential, to discover their brilliance and develop their intellect.
LJA’s motto is “Asking questions, making choices.” Learning to ask key questions is crucial to becoming a critical thinker. Students create success by making informed choices that have a positive impact on self and community.
Our Principles
- Searching for Truths. We build communities of inquiry capable of supporting free and open conversation on the most important issues.
- Building Empathy. We recognize that it is difficult to always have consistency between what we value and how we practice those values. When we practice empathy, we understand another’s difficulty and we help each other build the skills to be more consistent in practicing our values.
- Developing Generosity of Spirit. We assume that each of us tries to do what we believe is right and just, and we ask each other how we see things that lead us to act as we do.
- Becoming Competent. We help each other become increasingly able to bring about the results we each desire. We believe that effort creates competence and competence helps build confidence.
- Practicing Mutual Responsibility and Individual Accountability. We work together to solve problems and are accountable for our own choices and our impact on the community as a whole.
- Acknowledging Paradox and Dilemma. We make progress at LJA by opening our minds to complexity while continuing to take action in response to the paradox or dilemma.
- Recognizing Strength in Vulnerability. We value help from others in seeing our short comings and potential as we continue to evolve and grow.
Our Program
Learning – beyond the basics
Laura Jeffrey Academy’s School Framework is based on a holistic approach to education, addressing teaching and learning, resiliency, school climate and organizational effectiveness. We provide a stimulating learning environment with clear expectations and opportunities to celebrate student learning. LJA’s Interdisciplinary Power Standards and assessment process ensure that personal, school, state and federal standards are achieved.
LJA will serve 100 students in grades five and six during its first year of operation. Grade seven will be added in the fall of 2009, and grade eight will be added in the fall of 2010, reaching a school population of 200, and serving grades five through eight.
The number of LJA educators will rise along with the number of students. Beginning in the fall of 2008, LJA will incorporate interdisciplinary learning in Science, Math, Language Arts and Social Studies. There will be two teachers for every 25 students in these core subject areas, and classes will be arranged in 90 minute blocks. Teaching support includes special education, an English Language Learner specialist and a social worker. Educational specialists in Visual Arts, Music, Technology, Physical Education, and Health will enhance students’ learning experience.
View the curriculum sampler for details regarding some of the educational materials students will be using.
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