The Advantages of a TK-12 School
Forget the awkward middle school shuffle or the high school freshman jitters. At Santa Clarita Valley International (SCVi) Charter School, a tuition-free TK-12th grade public school in Castaic, California, we’ve eliminated educational musical chairs. Instead of students frantically learning a new school ecosystem every few years, ours are building a 13-year relationship with a small school community that knows them and exactly how they’ve evolved from fingerpainting to physics formulas.
Safe, Inviting, and Fewer Transitions
Our TK-12 culture is built on positive teacher-student-family (or, as we call them, facilitator-learner-family) relationships. Learners are never a number; you are known and supported for who you are. Because we know our learners so well, we can personalize their education and experiences.
Families that attend TK-12 schools have fewer transitions and enjoy the ability to remain in a safe, developmentally appropriate environment that nurtures learners right where they are, suggests a Harvard Education Magazine study. The familiarity of our buildings, scheduling, and staff gives learners confidence as they grow. When learners feel comfortable, they are able to take risks and tackle new challenges.
Also—who doesn’t love fewer drop-offs when you have multiple kids in school?
One of the biggest advantages of being a TK-12 school is the opportunity to build lasting relationships. Our learners grow from new students to empathetic middle and high schoolers who look out for the younger learners and mentor them. These older learners also have facilitators who have known them for years and offer advice long after they’ve left the classroom.
As 12th grader Madi F. put it, “I’m glad I stayed because I wouldn’t be as close to the teachers as I am now if I went to a bigger school. And my friends are here too!”
Making TK-12 Great
A big benefit of a TK-12 continuous school is you have time to build upon skills year after year. At SCVi, we believe that consistency is crucial for learners. It builds confidence and independence. Here are some ways we build upon skills:
– Project-Based Learning (PBL): By using PBL as our core foundation throughout their years at SCVi, we empower learners to discover how to communicate, collaborate, connect and engage in creative ways. Learners practice time management strategies and ways to research so that by graduation, they are better able to apply their knowledge and skills to new situations.
– Arts Education: Creating art is integrated into our projects and curriculum at SCVi. By nurturing artistic talents and encouraging creative thinking, we encourage learners to develop the resilience and innovation needed in today’s rapidly changing world.
– We value social-emotional learning (SEL) and use the Leader in Me’s educational program, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. These habits stress the importance of self and social awareness, responsible decision-making, and relationship skills. SEL is at the heart of all we do and it complements our academic learning all day long. Having the chance to build upon these habits year after year really encourages lifelong behaviors.
Speaking of skill building, our new-this-year (and very exciting!) Aerospace Learning Pathway starts in kindergarten, learning about how animals fly, and finishes in high school as learners can build the foundation for a career in aviation. There’s a special glider project in 8th grade where learners study all about how they work and how to operate them using a simulator computer program. And at the end of the project they get to go out and fly one!
At SCVi, we help students get to know their strengths and areas for improvement. We offer many ways to build confidence, from Presentations of Learning (POLs), Showcases of Learning, Learner-Led Conferences, to a final Senior Portfolio presentation. Students feel comfortable being challenged, learning new things, and taking risks. Our TK-12th graders learn how to fail and start again in a supportive atmosphere with trusted adults ready to help and guide.
SCVi’s TK-12 format means learners level up their education without changing schools—because growing up shouldn’t mean growing apart. Join our supportive, tuition-free WASC-accredited school and enroll today!
About SCVi:
Santa Clarita Valley International School (SCVi) is a free public charter school empowering TK-12th graders to become conscientious, compassionate, and responsible citizens of the world. Founded in 2008, we use project-based and social-emotional learning concepts to inspire and motivate lifelong learners with the skills they need to lead in the 21st century. We incorporate technology into every component of our curriculum, and we value and encourage development of leadership skills by inspiring confidence and character in each of our unique learners. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook and find us at www.ileadsantaclarita.org. Join our innovative school today!
