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Links| The Aptos Academy: Improving the life of a child |
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| Written by Noel Smith | ||||||||||
| Thursday, 15 July 2010 00:00 | ||||||||||
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“Successful in improving the life of a child.” – Accreditation Committee Report •••
At The Aptos Academy, the children are boys and girls at all stages of development from Pre-K through 8th grade, each one with unique capabilities and talents. The parents are those who care about the future of their children even to the point of micro-managing their own family finances to give them a good education. The Aptos Academy’s task is to provide that exceptional education expected by its parents and to help each child reach his or her potential in all areas - scholastic, artistic and social. This is a big undertaking and the school can only accomplish this with the involvement of these enthusiastic parents, the attention of the students and the dedication of the teachers. Starting as a private home-based school in 1994, The Aptos Academy grew rapidly. In 1999, the Academy moved into its current beautiful location on a 5-acre parcel off San Andreas Road. Today it serves about 120 students from Pre-K through 8th grade.
The philosophy of The Aptos Academy includes the statement, “That each child is a unique individual and should be able to proceed at a pace suited to his or her own abilities, talents, and interests.” There is no insistence here that each student perform to the level of every other student in his or her class, but a recognition that intellectually and genetically we are all different. While grade level instruction is age segregated, inter-class cooperation allows bonds to be formed across age groups and tolerance and inclusiveness are incorporated in a seamless manner. Aptos Academy students do not encounter the cliquishness or bullying that can occur in some school settings between age groups. Also, the Academy’s low student-to-teacher ratio provides for close attention to each student’s performance and needs. Regular exams are given to ensure that students fully understand their subject matter and that they can actually use what they’ve learned in practical applications. If a student is experiencing difficulty, the teacher will work to find the source of the confusion so that it can be rectified before the student continues on.
Students are tested yearly with the California Achievement Test (CAT) 6 in grades 3 through 8. The results of these tests show The Aptos Academy classes averaging two or more grade levels higher when compared to national norms and grade performance levels. The school’s emphasis on a wide variety of creative and performing arts throughout the year helps to develop social skills, judgment and self-confidence. All students have as part of their basic program Art, Music and Drama. Also available are instruction in Band, Gymnastics, Woodworking, Computer/Technology, and Photography. Each student develops self-confidence and performance skills by taking part in the school’s annual holiday musical show that features singing and individual performances. Also, each year the whole school takes part in a dramatic presentation and in the spring is the Student Talent Show and Art Show. In addition there are all-school events in which many aspects of the Hispanic culture are experienced and where nothing but Spanish is spoken. To help these boys and girls reach their physical potential, each student participates in a Physical Fitness Test that rates their level of physical fitness in five events. There are no winners and losers, but encouragement to improve and do their best. School facilities include an art room, science room, library and a multi-purpose theater for assemblies, special programs, gymnastics, and dramatic productions. A central courtyard is used for lunches and breaks. Athletic areas on the 4.5-acre campus include a soccer field, hardtop area for basketball, exercise area, as well as a playground for younger students. A horse barn housing four horses, and an arena are located beyond the soccer field. The arena provides the venue for “Horse Club,” an after-school elective. A matter of pride to The Aptos Academy is the Visiting Committee Report submitted by the credentialing authority, the Western Association of Western Schools and Colleges. The 2006 report in part states: “Aptos Academy is to be commended for its dedication in providing an exceptional program for its students… The students are active and motivated in achieving at their personal best. They are supportive of each other and enthused about their school… After attending Aptos Academy, graduates have transferred to a mixture of private and public schools. Follow-up indicates the majority have transitioned successfully to the school of choice.” •••
Aptos Academy, 1940 Bonita Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 located just off Hwy 1 at the Larkin Valley/San Andreas exit. Phone 831-688-1080, Website: www.aptosacademy.org/
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 16 July 2010 17:45 ) |
Is a private school just for wealthy, overachieving parents and nascent child geniuses?
The Aptos Academy teaches not only the traditional core subjects, but integrates a rich and varied arts and electives program as well as a goal-oriented physical education program. A unique feature of the school is that it allows students to move at their own pace while receiving the necessary support from its enthusiastic teachers and staff to reach their highest personal potential.
The curriculum includes: math, science, research skills, literature, verbal and written expression, social studies and also a daily physical education program along with extensive programs in art, drama, music, band, foreign language, and computer literacy. Community service projects are part of each grade and include Toys for Tots, Pennies for Patients, Second Harvest food drives, beach cleanups, litter removal and recycling.Login
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