“Just as eating against one’s will is injurious to health, so study without a liking for it spoils the memory and it retains nothing it takes in.”

Leonardo da Vinci

The da Vinci Institute is a tuition free public school chartered by Central Michigan University. Da Vinci offers a small, innovative program on two sites in Jackson, Michigan. The da Vinci Primary School serves 100 students in grades K-8 at 559 Murphy Drive and the da Vinci Secondary School serves 120 students and is located on the campus at Jackson Community College.

The purpose of the da Vinci Institute is to prepare students to be well-educated, self-directed young adults who are Reasonable, Respectful and Responsible members of a global society. The importance of learning and the importance of creating a kind and caring community are emphasized at all levels.

The da Vinci Institute believes that students can be curious and capable learners who are deserving of respect. To be well-educated, students need to understand and accept boundaries and expectations which foster their growth as unique and changing individuals of worth.

The curriculum at The da Vinci Institute is designed to encourage all students to share in the responsibility for making choices that will facilitate the learning process.

Emphasis at The da Vinci Institute is placed on the Mastery of Essential Learnings and Skills. Letter grades, the number of semesters in attendance or the accumulation of credits are not essential to the learning process at da Vinci. A variety of assessment methods are utilized on a frequent basis to evaluate students' progress and determine how best to help students become well-educated citizens. When students reach the Secondary level they are offered three pathways to earning a high school diploma:

• The Fine Arts Pathway

• The Career and Technical Preparation Pathway

• The College Preparation Pathway

Instruction at The da Vinci Institute is provided through a wide variety of courses and activities, all of which are multi-age, flexible, project-centered and require active participation on the part of students. Students may also be offered the opportunity to enroll in college classes offered by Jackson Community College while attending The da Vinci Institute.

Jackson Area Career Center classes are also available.  For more information on the Career Center, follow this link:http://jacksoncisd.schoolwires.com/jacksonacc

The da Vinci Institute is committed to instilling a desire for life-long learning in all students and to supporting and encouraging students in the pursuit of their dreams and aspirations.