About

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About New Day Academy: A Celebration of the Diversity of Learning

The staff of New Day Academy thanks you for this opportunity to tell you about our program.  This is an important time in the development of our school and in the charter school movement across the nation.  We want to share our educational philosophy and discuss key elements of our program.  The goal is to “personalize” learning for our students and help others understand the possibilities available in charter schools.

Our philosophy centers around two intertwined concepts:  quality, standards-based learning, combined with flexibility in the methods, materials, and scheduling of that learning.  Parent and student choice, in the context of accountability to meet or exceed state curriculum standards, is respected.  Instructors become personal and professional guides in the educational journey of each child, partnering with parents to grow together in that process.  An ongoing dialogue is established that focuses on the elements and flow of learning itself, exploring ways to improve each child’s skills and knowledge, discussing what works for each individual, monitoring and adjusting for the success of the pupil.  The goal is to help each child become a self-motivated, independent learner, able to use different sources of information, problem-solve, organize time and effort, complete tasks set by themselves or others, and view the community and world as their learning space.

New Day Academy began officially in February of 2000.  We enroll students from varied backgrounds.  Some come from highly motivated homes where education is valued and parents dedicate much of their time and energy for direct instruction.  Those students are outstanding readers, love projects and take extra time to explore different topics of interest beyond the core skills.  Another group of students comes to us from other school programs with a range of talents and skills.  Many of those are bright children who are searching for a different way to “do school,” for either social or academic reasons.  They are attracted by the flexibility and sense of responsibility that are important for this type of education to work well.  About one third of the students who enroll with us are often identified as “high-risk.”  They struggle to succeed in one or more essential skill areas and may have personal issues that have hindered their progress in other programs.  As a public school, we are open to their needs.  We strive to assess and address their educational needs, realizing the challenge that confronts them and all who work with them.  We provide remedial instruction, as well as Special Education and Title I programming for these students.

Because we are a non-classroom-based charter school we can serve students in the counties contiguous to Lassen County, including Modoc, Shasta, Sierra, and Plumas Counties.

As of Spring 2012, we enrolled 245 students and continue to maintain a responsible rate of growth each year.  The staff now includes 15 credentialed teachers, 5 student support staff members, an Executive Director and Board of Directors, and a 4-person office staff.  We have a Memorandum of Understanding with Lassen County SELPA to meet our special education needs.

In 2006, New Day Academy received a full accreditation, for a period of six years, with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).  New Day Academy is currently in the process of renewing our WASC accreditation for the upcoming 2012/13 year.