EDUCATION LEADERS TODAY
T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R C A P TA I N S O F I N D U S T RY www.educationleaderstoday.com
LONG VALLEY PUBLIC CHARTER
Long Valley Public Charter School prides itself on providing excellence in education and properly preparing students with the educational skills needed to excel in the world today.
FEATURE | LONG VALLEY PUBLIC CHARTER
2 Winter 2010
LONG VALLEY PUBLIC CHARTER | FEATURE
Excellence in Education by Felicia Willis
Long Valley Charter School prides itself on providing excellence in education through a site program for students in grades K-8 and an independent study education program for grades K-12. The school has four locations: Alturas, Calif., in rural Modoc County; Doyle, Calif., in Lassen County; and Susanville, Calif., in Lassen County. The school has a long, rich history starting in 1871. Originally named Long Valley School, it served the Long Valley community until it was destroyed by fire in 1946. Soon after, the community rallied together, and the school was reopened. In 1968, Long Valley School moved to a new building, which is its current location. The eventual conversion from Long Valley School to Long Valley Charter School was strongly supported by the district board
members, teaching staff, and the local community and was established in 2000. The charter has since been renewed with equally strong support. The mission of the school is to properly prepare students with the educational skills needed to excel in the world today. The mission outlined is to afford each student the necessary skills to read, write, speak, and calculate with clarity and precision, and the ability to participate intelligently and responsibly in a global society. The philosophy of the school is “smart is not something you are, but something you get by working hard; knowledge is contracted.” Long Valley Charter School’s goal is to develop students who are competent, self-motivated and lifelong learners. Parents are the essential link in
improving education. Students observe first-hand their parents and teachers working together to make a difference in their lives. Long Valley Charter School defies many of the preconceptions regarding schools where the large majority of students come from families with a low economic background. The average daily attendance for the school year was 96 percent, and the API score was 760. The intent of the staff at the school is to preserve and enhance the established tradition of high educational standards in conjunction with helping to develop considerate young community members and children who love to learn. Long Valley Charter School serves as more than a place for local children to receive an education, it also provides a place for socialization in
Education Leaders Today 3
FEATURE | LONG VALLEY PUBLIC CHARTER
Long Valley Charter School’s Partner in Success:
ADT Security Services ADT Security Services helps protect thousands of schools with solutions including video surveillance, access control, fire/life safety, visitor management, alert notification services and integrated systems. Their forwardthinking approach can adapt to your needs today and well into the future. Long Valley required an upgraded fire alarm system to be installed immediately in order to receive their certificate of occupancy in time to open for the school year. The ADT Reno, Nev. office was able to design and install a complex fire alarm in time for the new school year. For a free risk assessment, call 800-335-5238 or visit ADTbusiness.com/education 4 Winter 2010
a very rural area not only for students, but also for extended family and community members. At a monthly site-based “Caught Being Good” assembly, the school provides a forum for children to demonstrate and receive recognition for their emerging academic and artistic skills before family, community and fellow students. The school also provides educational resources in an area where there are extremely limited resources available. The existing K-8 site-based grade levels allow multi-level education and socialization where students from the same family are allowed to participate together and support each other at school. Upper grade levels work and play with younger students to create friendships and role models. Long Valley Charter School has incorporated the established principles successful at Long Valley School with the increased educational opportunities provided by the California Charter Schools Act. The support of a dedicated parent/community group
and a curriculum designed to service the community with multiple methods for a variety of educational needs and learning styles. Staff at the school has embarked on a plan to enlist the help of local artists, business people, historians, and interested community members to provide diverse learning experiences along with traditional education, making Long Valley Charter School a learning center that provides enriching opportunities for students and staff, as well as the community. The current average student-teacher ratio is 17 to 1 on-site and the Board of Directors of the school has made a commitment to maintain as a low a ratio as is economically viable. Because the class sizes are comfortably small, the teaching style tends to be cooperative learning and hands on. The students have all the tools and individual attention that they need to excel, in and out of their rural community. ELT