What We Offer

PERSONAL LEARNING PLANS

We believe that students learn better when they take control of their own learning; students are required to develop their own individualized Personal Learning Plan (PLP). Students will identify goal(s) for academic classes with the help of their teachers. Teachers will evaluate each students' progress towards meeting those goals by giving written feedback through narratives. Advisors will play a major role in this process, and are responsible for ensuring that each of their advisees properly maintains his/her own PLP. This requires advisors to meet with advisees and their parents/family on a regular basis to assess the student performance and achievement. PLPs may include goals in any of the following areas: academics, physical fitness, service learning, career development, character issues, and personal interests. Other issues such as learning style, attendance, and self discipline may also be included.

Teachers will utilize student's PLPs in order to better design curriculum that addresses various learning styles. While no two PLPs will be the same, all will have the ultimate goal to master the content standards and graduation requirements.

SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM

The Mission of the SVA Service Learning Program is to enrich the educational experience of students by actively engaging them in their community in order to build their capacity for civic participation and employment. All students go out to community placements every Thursday afternoon for 3 hours. The program provides progressively challenging learning experiences each year designed to enable SVA students to be active community members. Students are required to earn 3 1/2 credits of Service Learning to graduate from South Valley Academy.

ADVISORY

Each student will be matched with an adult at the school who will serve as their advocate, mentor, "coach," and confidante. Advisors will serve as the primary connection between home and school - they will meet with parents, guide students in the creation and maintenance of their Personal Learning Plan, and monitor the overall academic and personal progress of their advisees.#The advisory will serve as a support for students both personally and academically throughout the year. Advisors will intervene promptly and effectively when students have excessive absences or show signs of difficulty. This intervention may include contacting parents, creating a behavior contract or assigning the student to tutoring.