Clive Learning Academy Programs: Fostering Growth and Excellence
Clive Learning Academy is dedicated to providing a safe, engaging, and rigorous learning environment that supports each student's academic, social, and emotional growth. The academy implements a variety of programs designed to cater to diverse interests and age groups, from preschool to advanced technical skills. This article will explore the various programs offered, highlighting their unique features and benefits.
Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) and Clive Pride
Clive Learning Academy emphasizes creating a positive and safe school environment through the Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) program. Central to this initiative is "Clive Pride," a set of behavioral expectations promoting Respect, Responsibility, Safety, and Caring in all school settings. By clearly defining and consistently reinforcing these expectations, PBIS helps cultivate a culture where students understand and practice positive behaviors, contributing to a more conducive learning atmosphere for everyone. The school believes that when students know the rules and practice them regularly, they are more likely to follow them.
Preschool Programs: Exploration, Imagination, and Discovery
Seven of the eight elementary schools in the West Des Moines Community School District (WDMCS), including Clive Learning Academy, offer preschool programs. However, Crossroads Park Elementary preschoolers attend classes at the Learning Resource Center. These programs are designed to foster exploration, imagination, and discovery through play. A typical day for a preschool student is filled with activities that encourage independence through a structured yet flexible routine, responsive to the individual needs of each child.
The daily schedule includes a balance of child- and teacher-directed activities, incorporating time for arrival, learning centers, outdoor play, small groups, snack, and whole group time. This approach aligns with the Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards and ensures a well-rounded early childhood education. The preschool program spans 2 hours and 45 minutes, during which children engage in activities that promote cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Elementary School Programs: Building a Strong Foundation
Elementary school, starting with kindergarten, forms the foundation of a child's education in the WDMCS. The district aims to create an engaging and exciting learning environment, where students are eager to come to school each day.
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Strings Program
The elementary strings program begins in fourth grade and is available to all students. It employs an adapted Suzuki method, which emphasizes the importance of a strong relationship between students, families, and teachers. Each fourth-grade student participates in one small-group and one large-group lesson per week. All-district concerts featuring two elementary orchestras, composed of fifth- and sixth-grade students, are held throughout the school year, providing students with performance opportunities and showcasing their musical talents.
Band Program
Fifth-grade students are welcomed to join the district's strong band tradition. The band program starts in September after a recruitment and placement process. Rehearsals take place during the school day, and students attend one small group lesson each week. Sixth-grade band students rehearse either before school or during the school day. The district believes that all students can benefit from participating in the band program, as playing an instrument has been shown to have multiple academic and social benefits, in addition to strengthening 21st-century skills. District and school band concerts are held throughout the school year, offering students a platform to demonstrate their musical abilities.
Stilwell Summer Musical Intensive: Technical Theatre
The Stilwell Summer Musical Intensive is a unique week-long program designed for aspiring theatre technicians. It is open to students who have recently completed 6th, 7th, or 8th grade and who have a passion for the technical aspects of theatre production. Unlike traditional programs that focus on one area of crew, this intensive provides students with the opportunity to participate in all technical spaces, including costumes, build, props, and run crew.
Participants work on all the tasks typically involved in a theatre production but compressed into a much shorter timeframe. The program runs from 11 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday, with two shows on Saturday and a matinee on Sunday. It is a highly stimulating environment that requires long hours. The student-to-teacher ratio is 35:1. There are no auditions required for crew students, making it accessible to anyone interested in technical theatre.
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