ACCLAIM

ACCLAIM's Seven Areas of Emphasis

Welcome! ACCLAIM Academy, formerly known as ACCLAIM Charter School, first opened it's doors in September of 1997. With it came the realization of Melanie Powers' dream to offer excellence of education in academics, character, and the arts. Since that time we have been providing West Valley children with publicly funded education in a dual language. This fall marks the beginning of a new decade for ACCLAIM and brings with it such changes as a new name, different school colors, a revised logo and best of all a new brand new building. Our core emphases, however, remain the same. To learn more about what the seven letters of ACCLAIM stand for.

A ccent on arts and sciences

C haracter Development

C elebrate cultures and diversity

L anguage - proficiency in English and Spanish

A ll areas of giftedness are valued

I mportance of parent/school/community partnership

M odel for the environment

A ~ Our aim is to offer an inviting school environment where students can develop their natural love for the arts and sciences. Instruction from specialists, integration of these areas with other subjects, Core Knowledge Sequence, hands-on activities, opportunities for enrichment classes, and field trips are all parts of the emphasis.

C ~ Character develops as children learn to make responsible, moral choices. Staff, parents and community will participate with the students in practicing virtues; to help them ... "cast their beam like brilliant candles on the world ... set their hearts on achieving everlasting honor and acquiring all the excellencies of humankind." ('Abdu'l-Baha)

C ~ In our increasingly diverse society, understanding, appreciation and respect of the many cultures of the world are necessary to be successful socially and in the work place. Presentations by and interaction with visitors, the yearly "Cultural Festival", use of a diversity of literature, and lessons related to the yearly multicultural calendar will help develop cultural appreciation.

L ~ Our area of the country is strongly influenced by the Mexican culture. In order to create a bridge for understanding between the two cultures, while giving students valuable marketable skills, all students will develop literacy in two languages: Spanish and English.

A ~ We believe that there are seven areas of giftedness, that all students possess a unique gift, and that these are all of value. Through self and teacher assessment, students will identify their areas of giftedness. Teachers will nurture development of the students' gifts through a variety of instructional strategies.

I ~ "It takes a whole village to raise a child." In order for students to achieve their potential, we must agree to the importance of a strong partnership between the parents, the school, and the community. We are committed to providing a variety of opportunities for participation by parents and community in order for our students to succeed.

M ~ Everything we do affects the environment - either positively or negatively. We feel it imperative that we provide a model for the environment in the use of energy, materials, transportation, facility, and purchasing. We will model "reduce, reuse, recycle" in every area possible, in order to help the students positively impact their environment and preserve it for the future.

MISSION: We are a team committed to excellence. In a safe learning community rich in the arts, sciences, and languages, we are dedicated to developing nobility of character, cultivating academic success, honoring diversity, and promoting physical and environmental responsibility.

ACCLAIM's Seven Areas of Emphasis

Welcome! ACCLAIM Academy, formerly known as ACCLAIM Charter School, first opened it's doors in September of 1997. With it came the realization of Melanie Powers' dream to offer excellence of education in academics, character, and the arts. Since that time we have been providing West Valley children with publicly funded education in a dual language. This fall marks the beginning of a new decade for ACCLAIM and brings with it such changes as a new name, different school colors, a revised logo and best of all a new brand new building. Our core emphases, however, remain the same. To learn more about what the seven letters of ACCLAIM stand for.

A ccent on arts and sciences

C haracter Development

C elebrate cultures and diversity

L anguage - proficiency in English and Spanish

A ll areas of giftedness are valued

I mportance of parent/school/community partnership

M odel for the environment

A ~ Our aim is to offer an inviting school environment where students can develop their natural love for the arts and sciences. Instruction from specialists, integration of these areas with other subjects, Core Knowledge Sequence, hands-on activities, opportunities for enrichment classes, and field trips are all parts of the emphasis.

C ~ Character develops as children learn to make responsible, moral choices. Staff, parents and community will participate with the students in practicing virtues; to help them ... "cast their beam like brilliant candles on the world ... set their hearts on achieving everlasting honor and acquiring all the excellencies of humankind." ('Abdu'l-Baha)

C ~ In our increasingly diverse society, understanding, appreciation and respect of the many cultures of the world are necessary to be successful socially and in the work place. Presentations by and interaction with visitors, the yearly "Cultural Festival", use of a diversity of literature, and lessons related to the yearly multicultural calendar will help develop cultural appreciation.

L ~ Our area of the country is strongly influenced by the Mexican culture. In order to create a bridge for understanding between the two cultures, while giving students valuable marketable skills, all students will develop literacy in two languages: Spanish and English.

A ~ We believe that there are seven areas of giftedness, that all students possess a unique gift, and that these are all of value. Through self and teacher assessment, students will identify their areas of giftedness. Teachers will nurture development of the students' gifts through a variety of instructional strategies.

I ~ "It takes a whole village to raise a child." In order for students to achieve their potential, we must agree to the importance of a strong partnership between the parents, the school, and the community. We are committed to providing a variety of opportunities for participation by parents and community in order for our students to succeed.

M ~ Everything we do affects the environment - either positively or negatively. We feel it imperative that we provide a model for the environment in the use of energy, materials, transportation, facility, and purchasing. We will model "reduce, reuse, recycle" in every area possible, in order to help the students positively impact their environment and preserve it for the future.