Philosophy

We believe our students are curious and capable learners deserving of our respect. In order to learn, students need to understand and accept boundaries, which recognize them as unique and changing individuals of worth.

We believe they learn best when they are active and engaged in the learning process. In an environment where they are both comfortable and challenged, they will accept responsibility for learning and be accountable to their teachers and their peers – provided they feel they can make choices and provided they see both the meaning and purpose of what they are asked to do and learn.

If we provide a place where this is true, graduates of The da Vinci Institute will be reasonable, respectful and responsible. They will become curious, confident and capable learners who ask questions and find answers by reading, listening and thinking with both comprehension and compassion.

Essential Learnings and Skills

Students who graduate from da Vinci will be able to demonstrate mastery of the following skills. They may demonstrate this mastery through a variety of means, suited to their own learning styles and personal strengths. These means include, but are not limited to portfolios, projects, examinations, and oral and/or written presentations.

Communication

· Students will be able to speak and write clearly.

· Students will be able to gather accurate information, analyze it, organize it and present it effectively to others.

· Students will use a variety of tools and resources (i.e. dictionaries, books, computers, etc.) to explore and create messages.

· Students will be able to read well. They will appreciate, comprehend and evaluate what they read and hear.

· Students will demonstrate the correct use of language (i.e. grammar, punctuation, spelling, context).

Social Studies

· Students will be able to explain their rights and responsibilities as citizens of a democratic society.

· Students will be able to construct a general outline of local, national and world history.

· Students will be able to identify and describe the causes and effects of significant historical events.

· Students will participate in activities that demonstrate their responsibility to acknowledge, understand and contribute to the democratic process and the common good.

· Students will compare and contrast major forms of government (i.e. societal, cultural, economic systems).

· Students will acquire a general understanding of local, national and world geography.

Fine Arts

· Students will know the elements and principles of design.

· Students will be able to use these elements and principles when discussing works of art.

· Students will be able to create artwork using a variety of media.

· Students will understand how art and music reflect history and culture.

· Students will develop an awareness of how art and music influence their daily lives.

Science

· Students will understand and use the scientific method as a tool to examine and solve different kinds of problems.

· Students will understand and be able to use the system d’international (metric system).

· Students will demonstrate awareness of concepts in Life Science, Earth/Space Science and Physical Science and be able to apply these concepts to practical problems.

· Students will think critically about scientific information and about corresponding ethical issues.

· Students will become familiar with the scientific skills necessary for success in their intended vocational and/or educational choices.

· Students will acquire an understanding of the environment and issues related to its protection.

Math

· Students will master basic calculations using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers, fractions, decimals and percents.

· Students will be able to solve practical problems using logic, estimations and mental calculations.

· Students will be able to use math in everyday situations including, but not limited to, creating a budget, balancing a checkbook, using measurements, counting change and calculating taxes.

· Students will become familiar with the mathematical skills necessary for success in their intended vocational and/or educational choices.

· Students will be able to use information to interpret and create drawings and graphs.

Industrial Arts

· Students will be able to apply measurements while interpreting drawings, data and graphs.

· Students will be able to estimate the costs of projects to include materials and time.

· Students will use appropriate tools safely.

· Students will work cooperatively, solve problems and choose the best alternative in a given situation.

· Students will complete projects in a timely fashion.

Health and Wellness

· Students will understand the principles of good nutrition and healthy exercise.

· Students will use the principles of good nutrition and healthy exercise to develop a wellness plan.

· Students will be able to identify the characteristics of healthy interpersonal relationships.

· Students will be able to demonstrate emergency first aid and lifesaving techniques.

· Students will acquire an understanding of the human body systems.

Life Skills

· Students will be able to use a computer for doing research, word processing, presentations (such as PowerPoint) and spreadsheets.

· Students will explore possible careers and be able to construct a plan for entering a career successfully.

· Students will acquire an understanding of the free enterprise system and how it affects their daily lives.

· Students will be able to think critically.

Citizenship

· Students will be able to work cooperatively with other members of the da Vinci community, as well as the community at large.

· Students will be:

Reasonable – Able to agree and disagree appropriately and work out problems peacefully.

Respectful – Demonstrate care of the environment (classroom, school and world) and personal needs (physical and mental); treat others as they would like to be treated.

Responsible – Able to accept the opportunity to make choices and be held accountable for the results.

· Students will participate in a Service Learning experience.