Academics

The San Diego French American School is a dual language immersion school, which means that they teach their academic courses through both the English and French languages. By the time a student reaches the middle school, almost 80% of the coursework is in French. Adding another language to the mix, Spanish is a compulsory third language beginning in fifth grade. Faculty members from preschool through middle school have at least an undergraduate degree, with many of them holding higher degrees. In addition, most teachers are bilingual or multilingual and many are recruited internationally.

The school’s core curriculum of reading, writing and mathematics is based on the French educational system and also satisfies the requirements of the American educational system. The school’s academic program is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the French Ministry of National Education, and they are a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and a provisional member of the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS).

Graduates

The San Diego French American School prepares graduates for both American high schools and for taking the baccalaureate exam at a French Lycée. Some students choose to continue their education in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at San Diego High School while others choose to attend selective private schools in the area. Their alumni have continued on to such universities as the Sorbonne in Paris, Harvard University, the University of California system, and others.

Visit

During my visit to the San Diego French American School, I met with Virginia Berracasa, who is the Communications and Admissions Officer. On my tour of the campus I found the classrooms to be bright, stimulating environments filled with students’ work in both French and English. From the kindergarten classrooms with their engaging learning centers to the middle school with their science and technology labs, the school’s facilities support the challenging academic program. They also sport a large grass playing field and other outdoor areas that take advantage of the climate that we enjoy in this part of California.

Two small incidents that took place during my visit left big impressions. The first was when I arrived and entered the office, where two staff members were discussing school business in French. When I approached the reception desk, they quickly switched to English to finish their discussion before greeting me. This small act was so elegantly and politely done that not only did it put me immediately at ease, it also reinforced that the school is a bilingual environment even beyond the classrooms.

The other experience occurred as I was touring the auditorium where Virginia shared some of the school’s hopes for future enhancements and renovation to their facilities. A class of preschoolers happened to enter and take the stage, listening attentively to their teachers who were speaking to them and directing them in French, using hand signals and body language as appropriate. To me, this interaction between teachers and students perfectly exemplified what an immersion program is all about.

Diversity

If you are looking for a school that offers challenging academics, is committed to diversity, and prepares students to take their place in a global society, I highly encourage you to visit the San Diego French American School. Families at the school represent more than 20 different nationalities, and some students speak three or four languages. With their unique blend of cultures, ethnicities, religions, and socio-economic levels, the school truly represents a global community.

Some parents, especially those who speak only one language, may ask, “How will being bilingual and studying in a multi-cultural school help my child at this age?” But at the San Diego French American School, they encourage their parents to ask, “How will being bilingual and studying in a multi-cultural school help my child in the future?”

Learn more

Website
www.sdfrenchschool.org

Contact
San Diego French American School
6550 Soledad Mountain Road
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone : (858) 456 2807
Email: admin@sdfrenchschool.orgThis email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

The school has created a rich and well-rounded academic program that helps children develop a love for learning and prepares them for future success. In addition, the school is deeply committed to helping students grow as individuals who are concerned about their world and their place in it.

The Community

While these traits are in line with what one might expect from any excellent private school, one factor that sets Gillispie apart is its extremely strong community. The school has created a nurturing environment that feels welcoming and even intimate, which is helped by the fact that they keep class sizes – and corresponding student:teacher ratios – small. Faculty quickly get to know children’s strengths and challenges so that they can teach in a way that encourages children to continually grow and learn. This feeling of community is a huge draw for families who are concerned about overcrowding and a “one size fits all” mentality found in many public schools today.

I have been fortunate to spend time at The Gillispie School getting to know their program and their people. From the moment I step through the front doors of the school, I am impressed by the friendly, calm, and professional atmosphere that I encounter. And when meeting Alison Fleming, the head of school, and Steve Bunyak, assistant head of school, their warm smiles and kind words are guaranteed to make anyone feel comfortable.

The Campus

The campus is impressive in features and structure if not in acreage. Since the school is located in the heart of La Jolla Village, they do not have the benefit of acres of grassy playing fields. However, they have made extremely good use of the land that they do have with two playgrounds, a gymnasium (with a rock-climbing wall!), a science lab, a library and a fine arts center as well as well-equipped and modern classrooms. They recently revamped their early childhood outdoor area and it includes a wall mural painted by a teacher. A major benefit of their location is that students are walking distance from area facilities and resources within the community.

The Future

While the school honors its past, it definitely teaches to the future. The technology program at The Gillispie School is state-of-the-art with a one-to-one laptop program for every teacher and students in third through sixth grades, and a laptop cart for younger grades. The school is a Lighthouse School partner with Apple Computers, and they won a Leading Edge Award from the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) for technology.

Because The Gillispie School provides education only through sixth grade, many families wonder what the next step will be for their children. According to the school’s website,

We believe that learning is a journey. Our early childhood and elementary programs are designed to guide our students’ academic, creative, and social growth. We strive to develop resiliency in our students so that they are prepared for whatever paths they may choose.

The school seems to be quite successful in achieving this goal. Students who graduate from The Gillispie School are prepared to succeed at the area’s most competitive private and public middle schools.

If your family is looking for a rich and rewarding academic environment that is balanced by a nurturing school community, I encourage you to visit The Gillispie School. Your children will thank you.

Learn more

Website
http://www.gillispie.org

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=the+gillispie+school&init=quick#/pages/La-Jolla/The-Gillispie-School/243119163463

Contact
The Gillispie School
7380 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, CA, 92037
Phone: (858) 459-3773

The school opened with students in 7th and 9th grades their first year and have added grade levels each subsequent year. They will complete their student body with the addition of 12th grade in 2010, with full enrollment reaching around 510 students.

I’ve enjoyed several visits to Pacific Ridge School over the past couple of years, and every time I step on campus I am impressed by new examples of ways that the school is growing and thriving. I’ve met both the head of school, Eileen Mullady, and the director of admissions, Jean Nassif, and they are both passionate about and proud of the school and program that they are building.

The school is located on 12 acres in the Bressi Ranch area of Carlsbad. While classes are currently housed in four temporary buildings, they recently broke ground on a new 35,000 square foot high school building that will house 19 classrooms, four laboratories and two study areas. They expect the building to be completed over the summer. They also expect that the building will earn gold or platinum LEED accreditation for its energy efficiency.

Engaged in the Classroom

The curriculum at Pacific Ridge School is designed to provide rigorous academics as well as artistic, athletic, service learning and extracurricular activities. The faculty integrate topics across subject areas to create more meaningful learning. According to the Pacific Ridge website:

Study will respect academic disciplines so that students may learn to distinguish the different ways in which an historian, scientist, writer, literary critic, mathematician or artist views the world. But the program of study in all disciplines — in history and science, or in science and literature, or language and art — will align, intersect, and cross over in a well-designed curriculum throughout each trimester of each year so that students may recognize thematic patterns and ask and answer big questions about what makes us human. The integrated curriculum works because teachers participate in related service programs and in each other’s classes, allowing them to see the full picture of what each student is learning.

A unique feature in many of the classrooms at Pacific Ridge is that the teaching is centered around seminar-style tables. Each student truly has a front-row seat and is expected to be an active participant in discussions.

Engaged in the World

Pacific Ridge takes their commitment to develop global citizens seriously. Last year a group of 42 ninth-grade students and their teachers traveled to China to study the culture, and even got to stay with host families from their sister school in Shanghai. In addition, some students travel as part of their service learning, visiting and working in places such as Costa Rica and Kenya. Teachers and staff model a global outlook as well. For example, a married couple who are teachers at Pacific Ridge traveled to Bangladesh to help open a school for women.

If you are looking for a middle or high school for your child, and you desire an environment that offers a well-rounded, top-notch education, I encourage you to visit Pacific Ridge School and find out how they are changing the face of education in San Diego County.

Learn more

Website
http://www.pacificridge.org/

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/#/PacificRidgeSchool

Twitter
http://twitter.com/prs_carlsbad

Contact
Pacific Ridge School
6269 El Fuerte Street
Carlsbad, CA 92009
Phone: (760) 448-9820
Email: info@pacificridge.org

We work in an environment of academic excellence to help students develop as caring, compassionate, ethical individuals, aware of their responsibilities to local and global society. To accomplish our mission, we seek students who are able and ready to perform in a college preparatory environment, and to take on the leadership roles necessary to build a better society.

A Video Introduction to The Grauer School

A Visit to The Grauer School

I had the good fortune to visit The Grauer School recently. While I had heard of the school, and I know several families with children who attend Grauer, this was my first visit to the campus. Elizabeth Braymen, director of admissions, gave me a tour and shared the vision and philosophy of the school. Her passion for the school extends beyond her role as an administrator since she is also the parent of a Grauer student.

The campus is located just north of the San Diego city limits in Encinitas, not far from the ocean, and encompasses five acres. The buildings provide 20,000 square feet of indoor space and are a combination of newer structures and portable buildings, with an eye toward replacing the portables at some point in the future. The main building contains a great hall where they hold community meetings and events. Anchoring this structure is a beautiful stone fireplace, hailed as the largest stone fireplace in San Diego. In the classrooms, teachers have designed comfortable spaces that are conducive to learning and discussion.

The class sizes vary based upon grade level and subject, but the school is committed to remaining a small school with a maximum capacity of 150 students. One benefit of their small size is that they can take advantage of opportunities that might prove too cumbersome for larger organizations. For example, I met teachers and high-schoolers who had just returned from the World Religions Conference in Australia, a perfect tie-in to their study of world religions.

The breadth of academic, arts and extracurricular offerings at The Grauer School might seem a bit surprising given their small size, but it goes hand-in-hand with their commitment to develop well-rounded students. They design their curriculum to prepare students for college, and as such the curriculum complies with the University of California course requirements for admission into the California State system. In addition, the California State Frameworks are integrated into their courses and the school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Music at The Grauer School

Technology use was apparent all around campus. In addition to computer labs, students may also bring their own laptops to school. There was a mix of Macs and Windows machines, and a range from higher-end laptops to netbooks.

The atmosphere on campus is definitely one of a close-knit community where everyone knows everyone else, from teachers to students to parents. As we toured, Elizabeth had a warm welcome or word of encouragement for everyone we encountered. After completing my tour I met Stuart Grauer, the director and founder of The Grauer School. His commitment to and passion for education is evident everywhere you turn on campus.

Of course many parents are concerned – and rightly so – with the bottom line. How will attending The Grauer School help their child? I will say that I was impressed with the school’s commitment to admit students who are, in fact, a good fit for the environment rather than filling seats with any and all who apply. They truly look for students who will thrive and succeed at the school.

As students near graduation, Grauer works with them and their families to identify college choices that will be good matches and that will value their strengths. The system seems to work because 100% of all 2008 graduates were admitted to colleges of their choice, and the students gained acceptances from 82% of all colleges to which they applied. Apparently the colleges value the education that The Grauer School is providing. The average college scholarship offer made to seniors at The Grauer School this year was an impressive $30,000.

If you are looking for a middle or high school for your child that has an intimate learning atmosphere, emphasizes academics and college prep, and develops individuals who are concerned about their world and their place in it, I encourage you to visit The Grauer School and learn more about what they offer. Their website has a lot of great information including videos that provide a glimpse of what life is like at the school, and they are very active on Facebook and Twitter.

Learn More

Open House
Saturday, February 6, 2010
10:30am to 2:00pm
Tours leaving every 20 minutes

Website
http://www.grauerschool.com/

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Encinitas-CA/The-Grauer-School/103908979661

Twitter
http://twitter.com/GrauerSchool

Contact
The Grauer School
1500 El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 944-6777
(760) 944-6784 fax
info@grauerschool.com

Below is a collection of links to websites, articles and videos that tell the story of High Tech High. I encourage you to investigate and find out more about what sets the schools apart. Then, if you want to know more, contact HTH and arrange a visit. I have no doubt you’ll be surprised and excited by the learning that takes place and the effect they are having on education not only in San Diego, but around the world. And if you want to enter your name in the lottery for admission for 2010-11, you may do so online on their website. But don’t wait around; the deadline is a very strict February 27, 2010.

• High Tech High
  The organization’s website, including information on admissions and an online application

• The Vision Behind the High Tech Journey
  Three part series by SDNN.com that takes “a look into how one of the most successful U.S. schools began.”

• Transformed by Technology: High Tech High Overview
  Edutopia, produced by the George Lucas Foundation, has a series of videos that highlight High Tech High

• Real World, San Diego: Hands-On Learning at High Tech High
  An article by Edutopia that discusses how students prepare for the real world through technology-enabled projects

• Connectivity at High Tech High
  An online portfolio from the What Kids Can Do website

• San Diego Unified information on High Tech High
  Includes links to California Standards Test (CST) results, School Accountability Report Cards, and more

• High Tech’s Hiring Bonanza
  Describes the somewhat unconventional process by which High Tech High interviews and hires teachers

• The High Tech High Way
  University of San Diego (USD) alumni are helping charter school students thrive under a new educational paradigm

• 8’s Cool School: High Tech High North County
  High Tech High’s innovative project-based learning program helped them become local CBS affiliate KFMB-TV Channel 8’s Cool School of the Week

In the interest of full disclosure, I do want to share that this year is my child’s first year as a student at one of the High Tech High schools. After attending a private school since kindergarten, we decided to try the High Tech lottery for middle school. When we received the letter last spring informing us that our child had secured a spot for the 2009-10 school year, we were thrilled and thought we knew what to expect. I am very happy to report that the school has far exceeded our expectations. Our child is learning, motivated, and happy to go to school each day. The small class and school sizes help teachers and staff maintain a positive, respectful learning environment where children feel safe. Most important for me, our child is academically challenged at just the right level in a way that is interesting and connects learning experiences to the real world.

One of the nicest surprises this year has been that the homework load has not been overwhelming. In addition, as a parent I have not been expected to teach new skills through the homework, which was something that happened regularly at a previous school. When homework is assigned at HTH, it has a purpose and a reason, and it relates directly back to work done in the classroom. Not only am I thrilled with the homework policy as a parent, but also as an educator.

I realize that homework can definitely be a controversial topic for parents, educators and especially children! A book that I enjoyed reading and that helped me clarify my own opinion is The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing by Alfie Kohn. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is struggling over how much homework is enough or too much.