Education Spotlights 2010

For Students Who Learn Differently...
Lexis Preparatory School is a new source of hope for parents and children who learn differently. Based on the flexible, unique and proven Tampa Day School model, Lexis Preparatory Schools deliver a best-fit K-8 environment that promote high academic standards for all – especially for those who are struggling within traditional school settings. Their mission is simple: UHA! Every Employee Understands, Honors, and Accommodates Your Child’s Unique Educational Needs. Students who are challenged by ADD/ADHD, anxiety issues, organizational or study skills, motivation, and other learning differences excel in Lexis Prep’s academic environment. From day one each student is embraced for who they are as individuals and are instructed accordingly. What makes Lexis Prep schools work? Smaller class sizes, subjects taught in “bite sized” pieces, structured break times, tailored curriculum, daily planning, organizational and study skills, and manageable homework. Parents are also a large part of Lexis Prep Schools. Parental involvement and communication are essential, welcomed, and reciprocated.
Lexis Preparatory School
www.LexisPrepSanDiego.com; 866-949-2896

"Dedicated to the individuality of children."
Canyon Rim Children’s Center (CRCC) has been providing high quality, enrichment, preschool programs for San Diego children since 1998. We are a full day, year round, enrichment program. Our learning philosophy is based on developmentally appropriate practices inspired by the schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Our developmental, play-based, preschool serves children ages two through six.
At CRCC, we strive to maintain child to teacher ratios lower than those required by the State of California. Our teachers’ educational credentials exceed those as specified by the State. Our professional staff creates a safe and caring environment where the emphasis is on learning through play. As Fred Rogers, a.k.a., “Mr. Rogers” said, “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”
We recognize each child is a unique person with individual rates of growth. Our goal is to meet each child’s emotional, social, cognitive and physical needs in a relaxed, loving environment, free from personal criticism and excessive competition. Activities in art, music, math, language, science, dramatic play, fine and gross motor development are fashioned to facilitate transition from one developmental stage to the next.
Our teachers also use our well-equipped, natural playgrounds to support exploration and promote physical development. Natural outdoor spaces enhance curiosity & encourage children to develop an appreciation and awareness of nature. At CRCC, children develop the skills of observation, inquiry, concentration, problem solving, and self-reliance. Our structured, yet open-ended program prepares each child to utilize his or her intellectual and creative abilities in future learning tasks. Here we work to give each child the tools and the foundation on which to build a lifetime of learning. Kindergarten teachers love our CRCC children!
Canyon Rim Children's Center
www.canyonrimcc.com; 619-287-6767

“Experience Achievement Through Technology”
Dr. Colin MacKinnon was recently named Executive Director and Principal of Coleman Tech Charter High School. In a recent interview he stated “My experiences have taught me many things that have fed my passion for learning: Given adequate time, the right mix of people and the right conditions, anything can be learned or accomplished by anyone. We are all made to do what we love, ultimately. The trick is recognizing it early in life and then doing something about it. MacKinnon stated that he is naturally curious, enthusiastic, loyal, courageous, and innovative and encourages those around him at Coleman Tech to foster those qualities in those they teach and parent.
When asked about the school’s organization and philosophy, he further stated “I believe an effective school requires consensus among its governors, administra-tors, teachers, parents, staff, and students. This dialogue informs the improvement process that continuously nurtures the development of the school.
The Coleman Tech program is enhanced with computer technology that enables its 9th-12th grade students to accomplish individualized, prescriptive learning programs at an efficient rate. Each Coleman Tech student receives a laptop computer which becomes a personalized mobile technology platform. The Project Based Learning focus of the 21st Century Programs at Coleman Tech involves students, their teachers, and also community mentors working on relevant, rigorous inquiry-based projects that engage students and motivate them to succeed. Each classroom is fitted with its own Promethian ActivBoard which provides students with a “Window to the World”. Classroom activities can then be simultaneously shared and also saved on each student’s laptop for use whenever and wherever the student needs the information. In addition, written assignments and other documents are accessed by students from Google Apps, a suite of advanced software products accessible via the Internet. This “Cloud Computing” resource also enhances technology utilization.
Coleman Tech has applied for a Charter from the San Diego Unified School District to operate a public Charter High School in the City of San Diego. A 501(c)3 public not-for-profit organization, Coleman Tech is governed by its own Board of Governors elected by the Coleman University Board of Directors. Coleman College was founded in 1963 by Dr. Coleman Furr.
Coleman Tech
8992 Balboa Ave., San Diego, Ca 92123
www.colemanchartertech.com; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; 858-433-0398

“I’m not sure if I have what it takes to homeschool my children.”
Greater San Diego Academy Homeschool Families and Staff Say: Think Again!
With the support of the well trained staff at Greater San Diego Academy Charter Homeschool you can give your child a high-quality education in the privacy and safety of your own home.
The professional staff at Greater San Diego Academy Charter Homeschool will support you as you provide your family a high-quality education. At Greater San Diego Academy Homeschool, we have helped hundreds of families like yours successfully educate their children. Please, check out our website at www.gsdacademy.com or call one of our four convenient locations. You will love the answers GSDA provides to YOUR homeschool questions! 
Why Do Families Choose to Homeschool with Greater San Diego Academy?
Homeschool research tells us that more and more parents are becoming aware of the safety and practicality of homeschooling, yet they may hesitate to take on this vital responsibility on their own. Some are unsure about whether or not they can actually teach their child at home. Some are concerned about socialization and some are simply put off by the high cost of curriculum. Some would like help but worry about losing the ability to guide their child’s learning.  Since 1999, Greater San Diego Academy Homeschool has successfully supported hundreds of homeschooling families with free curriculum and support. GSDA’s credentialed staff provides you with excellent partners in teaching and learning. Optional academic and social activities at GSDA facilities provide time with peers and other families. The INCREASED QUALITY OF TIME that families have together as they homeschool with GSDA provides many benefits to the family unit.
Greater San Diego Academy Homeschool understands Homeschool Families!
In recent years, social scientists and educators have studied various aspects and have concluded that homeschooling offers benefits that a regular school education cannot. Studies also show that students who school at home are likely to be more creative thinkers and problem solvers.
“Attending GSDA has helped my grandson turn a failing high school career into a successful one and for that I am eternally grateful. I especially liked that I could homeschool my grandson, but I would not be “alone” in doing so.” BH, grandmother of homeschooling high school student.
Let Greater San Diego Academy Homeschool remove any worry about the “Socialization” questions from concerned friends and relatives!
Contrary to common beliefs, children who are homeschooled have about the same number of social contacts as children in regular public school (Carpenter, 1992) with the added benefit of better parent/child relationships (Whitehead,1985). 
Now, GSDA has a question for you:
Why not try personalized homeschooling with GSDA today? Make an appointment for your personal, one-on-one orientation at the GSDA site of your choice!
Greater San Diego Academy
www.gsdacademy.com; 619-669-3050

WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE WHAT'S GOING ON IN HERE.
Come in. And be sure to check all this out:
* Superior college preparation
* Age 3 to Grade 12 students on one campus
* $44-million campus redevelopment complete.
* Small classes enabling individualized attention.
* Experienced, world-class faculty.
Open House:
Middle School (5-8)
Upper School (9-12)
Thursday, January 14th
6:30pm to 8:30pm
Age 3 & Jr. Kinder
Kinder-Grade 4
Tuesday, January 19th
8:15am to 10:15am
La Jolla Country Day School
www.LaJollaCountryDaySchool.org; RSVP (space is limited): 858-453-3440; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Celebrating 28 years at Oak Knoll Montessori! Enrolling Now!
“Education is acquired not by listening to words, but by experience in which the child acts on her environment.”  The foundation for the Montessori program is education for character. Dr. Maria Montessori believed and demonstrated that “children learn best in an environment of love, trust, understanding, patience and consistency.”
At OAK KNOLL MONTESSORI, our fundamental purpose is to guide children in learning to develop independence, respect, cooperation, self-discipline, self-confidence and self-esteem. These values are brought to life by the children as they experience the joy of learning and participating with friends in a variety of educational activities. Within the framework of Montessori principles, each child progresses at his/her own pace in discovering individual talents, interests and skills to develop their unique intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual capacities.
In accordance with the original methods developed by Dr. Montessori, materials are specially designed for “hands-on” work by the children. The materials are both beautiful and purposeful, leading the child to greater and more complete mastery in understanding her environment. Core areas of the curriculum include:
    Sensorial - pre-math and language concepts for size, shape, color; as well as exercises to develop visual discrimination, auditory, tactile and other skills.
    Practical Life - self-help skills to develop independence and fine motor coordination necessary as a preparation for writing.
    Reading and Language  –  a very organized, systematic sequence brings the child from simple phonics, through use of the “moveable alphabet” to the reading of simple 2- and 3-letter phonetic words, and on up through a series of readers and workbooks.
    Math –  again, with a very systematic, logical sequence, the use of manipulatives specially designed for the Montessori Program, takes children from simple number concepts to advanced operations.
    Science and Culture  –  children have the opportunity to explore their world with the use of elegant Montessori materials designed to guide the child in understanding our natural environment.
    The curriculum is completed with activities for music, art and gardening. An emphasis is given to multicultural activities, so that children learn about other countries and cultures, and Spanish language activities are incorporated into daily experience. Optional activities, for which parents may enroll children, include gymnastics, ballet, yoga and piano lessons. All activities are provided on-site. No field trips are taken.
    With a history of service to the community since 1982, OAK KNOLL MONTESSORI has a long-standing reputation for providing an excellent educational experience for children in a warm, nurturing environment. OAK KNOLL MONTESSORI has a policy of open communication with parents, who are welcome to observe their children working within the classroom environment. Families of children not currently enrolled at the school are invited to call for an appointment or to make further inquiry regarding the program.
Ages 2—7
Preschool, Kindergarten and First Grade
Oak Knoll Montessori
15010 Pomerado Road, Poway
www.oakknollmontessori.com; 858-883-2985 or 858-486-0346;
Candy Young, M.A. - School Director

DUAL-LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAM A SUCCESS AT SAN DIEGO FRENCH-AMERICAN SCHOOL
The success of San Diego French-American School’s dual-language immersion program is apparent daily as children of more than 35 different nationalities sit side-by-side in classrooms where they are studying their subjects in French or English. French children fluently speak, read and write in English. American children who have never crossed the Atlantic, are learning history and math lessons in French. Children in the pre-elementary school are happily singing songs, or repeating numbers, letters, and colors in both French and English. New students are learning French or English as a second language in a state-of-the-art language lab, where they  are also acquiring skills in cutting-edge technology.
In our 21 years in San Diego, we’ve had great success with our immersion program in French and English. “Even if the parents don’t speak French, their children can still become fluent,” comments André Bordes, founder and headmaster of the independent day school located in La Jolla. “The school’s challenging and rigorous curriculum prepares students to enter either a French or American high school,” says Mr. Bordes. Many students go on to earn the International Baccalaureate diploma or choose to take Advanced Placement classes in either independent or public high schools. In fact, most of the students who complete the school’s program have the advantage of being advanced in all academic areas, including French, English, math and science.
According to Dr. Fred Genesee, a world-renowned researcher in the subject of bilingual education, San Diego French-American School is fortunate to have a two-way immersion program, because the school has approximately the same proportion of native speakers in both French and English. In this manner, he notes, native English speakers serve as  models for the native French speakers and the native French speakers can be models for the English speakers. This is a distinct advantage.
Applications for the 2010-2011 school year are currently being accepted.
San Diego French-American School
6550 Soledad Mountain Road, La Jolla, Ca 92037
www.sdfrenchschool.org; email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; 858-456-2807 ext306

Need more schooling options? Look for our Spring Education Directory in the upcoming February issue.