Del Lago Academy:
http://dellagoacademy.org/
We visited Del Lago Academy (DLA), Campus of Applied Sciences, in Escondido for a tour and student/faculty meet and greet. Escondido Unified High School district’s latest development maybe the benchmark for the future of Educational Institutions and learning environments across the nation. The campus, itself, is enough to inspire creativity and motivation, but school Principal Keith Nuthall says, “that is only the beginning of what sets DLA apart from other high schools in the area” (quite possibly coast to coast and everywhere in between). Principal Nuthall was given a new campus and a mission, create the best learning environment for students possible. This open agenda came with only one restriction, the DLA student body must reflect the demographic of Escondido’s population. After two years, the school has 500 ninth and tenth graders that precisely mirrors the city’s populous and will be adding another class next year. That is where the similarities to the districts other high school begin to dissolve.
The structures that Principal Nuthall has implemented for his desired learning environment is every bit as cutting edge as the campus itself. Block schedules that are four by four with an elective block (X-block at DLA) or embedded support on Tuesdays and Thursdays if mandated by faculty for struggling performance. A "no bells" bell schedule. Which I did not personally like but appeared to work very well from what I observed. A culture of achievement, based on DLA’s 5 pillars:
· Do No Harm
· Choice Words
· Never Too Late to Learn
· Choice Words
· Be the Best.
Restorative practices, based on relationships between the faculty and students, to create a positive and supportive school environment. That is not only safe and conducive to learning, but creating an environment that students want to be in. Interdisciplinary project-based learning, which is where the Common Core wants education headed and many schools are implementing. That would be why I am pursuing a credential in English on top of my Social Science credential. A "no mark" instead of D or F grade, followed by a Student Success Plan to support the student’s individual needs. I do not know how to create the perfect fully equitable classroom, but this seems to be the right strategy to start with. Lastly, a "villages" themed groups, of about one hundred students, to promote the feeling of community pride and atmosphere amongst the student body.
All in all, the DLA day was motivating and inspiring for the future of education and a desired destination for many of my colleagues. For me, however, I feel that DLA and Principal Nuthall may be on to something and their students are going to receive a great education, but I am suited for the frontlines. I am not a teacher that needs, nor wants; the newest cutting age technology, beautiful campus settings, and students that are on the right track. Their lives are going turn out just fine, because they have made it there and have a great opportunity. I am the teacher that says, “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses”, for that is who I am here for.
http://dellagoacademy.org/
We visited Del Lago Academy (DLA), Campus of Applied Sciences, in Escondido for a tour and student/faculty meet and greet. Escondido Unified High School district’s latest development maybe the benchmark for the future of Educational Institutions and learning environments across the nation. The campus, itself, is enough to inspire creativity and motivation, but school Principal Keith Nuthall says, “that is only the beginning of what sets DLA apart from other high schools in the area” (quite possibly coast to coast and everywhere in between). Principal Nuthall was given a new campus and a mission, create the best learning environment for students possible. This open agenda came with only one restriction, the DLA student body must reflect the demographic of Escondido’s population. After two years, the school has 500 ninth and tenth graders that precisely mirrors the city’s populous and will be adding another class next year. That is where the similarities to the districts other high school begin to dissolve.
The structures that Principal Nuthall has implemented for his desired learning environment is every bit as cutting edge as the campus itself. Block schedules that are four by four with an elective block (X-block at DLA) or embedded support on Tuesdays and Thursdays if mandated by faculty for struggling performance. A "no bells" bell schedule. Which I did not personally like but appeared to work very well from what I observed. A culture of achievement, based on DLA’s 5 pillars:
· Do No Harm
· Choice Words
· Never Too Late to Learn
· Choice Words
· Be the Best.
Restorative practices, based on relationships between the faculty and students, to create a positive and supportive school environment. That is not only safe and conducive to learning, but creating an environment that students want to be in. Interdisciplinary project-based learning, which is where the Common Core wants education headed and many schools are implementing. That would be why I am pursuing a credential in English on top of my Social Science credential. A "no mark" instead of D or F grade, followed by a Student Success Plan to support the student’s individual needs. I do not know how to create the perfect fully equitable classroom, but this seems to be the right strategy to start with. Lastly, a "villages" themed groups, of about one hundred students, to promote the feeling of community pride and atmosphere amongst the student body.
All in all, the DLA day was motivating and inspiring for the future of education and a desired destination for many of my colleagues. For me, however, I feel that DLA and Principal Nuthall may be on to something and their students are going to receive a great education, but I am suited for the frontlines. I am not a teacher that needs, nor wants; the newest cutting age technology, beautiful campus settings, and students that are on the right track. Their lives are going turn out just fine, because they have made it there and have a great opportunity. I am the teacher that says, “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses”, for that is who I am here for.