Mastery, Goal-driven Instruction
Instruction at PEAK Academy will be rigorous and student-centered, driven by students’ capacity to master material as opposed to simply following a scripted curriculum.
Teachers will create their instructional plan based on student readiness and needs and will use a backwards-planning model, beginning with setting ambitious, clear, measurable goals and investing students in reaching them.
Teachers will consistently and frequently assess and reassess student progress using formative and benchmark assessments and use this information to inform their planning and instruction.
Each core subject will have built in time to provide additional support, remediation, and opportunities of enriched learning.
Teachers will create their instructional plan based on student readiness and needs and will use a backwards-planning model, beginning with setting ambitious, clear, measurable goals and investing students in reaching them.
Teachers will consistently and frequently assess and reassess student progress using formative and benchmark assessments and use this information to inform their planning and instruction.
Each core subject will have built in time to provide additional support, remediation, and opportunities of enriched learning.
Inquiry-based Learning
The learning process at PEAK Academy will be dynamic. Teachers will utilize an inquiry-based model that recognizes students best construct knowledge by doing. Teachers at PEAK will constantly trigger students’ curiosity and create a deep thirst for knowledge by exposing them to new ideas and students will be actively engaged in their learning process: asking questions, exploring ideas, making discoveries, collaboratively problem solving, and reflecting on their own learning.
Culturally Relevant Instruction
Staff at PEAK Academy will all have a deep understanding and respect for students’ backgrounds which will be reflected in the ways they interact with their students, the resources they use, and the emphasis on students’ own culture and community, allowing students to master content in a more personal way.
What a teacher learns about his or her students will be woven into the classroom, emphasizing their interests, passions, and talents to drive out any fears or insecurities that can be a hindrance to learning.
Teachers at PEAK will encourage students to identify problems their communities face, analyze their root causes, and seek ways to address them, empowering students with service learning and outreach opportunities.
Students at PEAK Academy will feel safe being who they are, belong to a positive school culture where they know they are valued, feel secure taking risks, and will develop a strong, confident voice that is authentic and genuine.
What a teacher learns about his or her students will be woven into the classroom, emphasizing their interests, passions, and talents to drive out any fears or insecurities that can be a hindrance to learning.
Teachers at PEAK will encourage students to identify problems their communities face, analyze their root causes, and seek ways to address them, empowering students with service learning and outreach opportunities.
Students at PEAK Academy will feel safe being who they are, belong to a positive school culture where they know they are valued, feel secure taking risks, and will develop a strong, confident voice that is authentic and genuine.
Dedication to Developing Character
PEAK Academy will promote excellence in living as well as learning. The goal at PEAK will not be for students to just exemplify good behavior, but to develop excellent, virtuous character and a desire to make the world a better place.
Teachers will systematic and authentic strategies for integrating character education into the context of regular instruction, extending into project and service-based learning where students will have opportunities to apply their learning in their homes and communities.
All staff will take full responsibility for the development of students’ character: teaching and investing students in school wide Core Values and cultivating a sense of personal and civic responsibility. Teachers will model strong character, use persons of character as models, and praise and reward students for exemplifying the Core Values.
Teachers will systematic and authentic strategies for integrating character education into the context of regular instruction, extending into project and service-based learning where students will have opportunities to apply their learning in their homes and communities.
All staff will take full responsibility for the development of students’ character: teaching and investing students in school wide Core Values and cultivating a sense of personal and civic responsibility. Teachers will model strong character, use persons of character as models, and praise and reward students for exemplifying the Core Values.