Alturas International Academy

Demographics

Percentage of students*

Why Alturas International Academy was nominated

Alturas International Academy is an innovative change for education. With a master approach to education, their students are taught in small group instruction at instructional levels. This gives students the opportunity to work with partners and collaborate at high levels using analytical and critical thinking skills. Alturas Prep will expand on an already established program that teaches self-discipline and responsibility to all students; provides a physical environment that is welcoming and conducive to learning; promotes communication and interaction in the classroom; supports an effective environment that promotes a sense of belonging and self esteem; and provides an academic environment that promotes learning and self-fulfillment. The Alturas International Academy uses the Primary Years Program (PYP) designed by the International Baccalaureate (IB) as a curriculum framework for young learners. Founded on a philosophy that recognizes a child’s natural curiosity, creativity and ability to react, the PYP generates a stimulating, challenging learning environment. Like all IB programs, PYP is transdisciplinary, meaning students learn across subject areas while investigating big ideas. In the process, students develop critical thinking, research, self-management, communication, and social skills. At Alturas, students learn about significant concepts through units of inquiry. The six trans-disciplinary themes that guide units of inquiry are: Who we are Where we are in place and time How we express ourselves How the world works How we organize ourselves Sharing the planet Units of inquiry interweave subject areas such as mathematics, language arts, information technology, science, and social studies, helping students make meaningful connections between what they learn in core subject areas and how it relates to the world around them. INQUIRY-BASED: The Primary Years Program (PYP) is based on a commitment to inquiry-based teaching and the development of the whole child; socially, emotionally, and intellectually. A core belief is that children learn more effectively when they are actively involved in the learning process and build upon existing knowledge in real-life contexts – In other words, when learning is relevant and engaging. MULTILINGUAL: Spanish is the language of instruction in our K–5 elementary school program. We welcome students from all language backgrounds. Over 80% of our students begin with no Spanish language at home. NURTURING ENVIRONMENT: Alturas' smaller class sizes ensure that the teachers and staff can focus on students’ social and emotional development in addition to their intellectual progress. From a place of safety, students are encouraged to inquire, wonder, and investigate—to lay the foundations of interculturally sensitive and inquisitive lives. EXPERIENCED, CARING TEACHERS: Alturas' teachers provide opportunities for students to build meaning and refine understanding through structured inquiry. Outside the classroom, Alturas teachers are an integral part of our community. REAL-WORLD CONNECTIONS: Students synthesize and showcase their learning by applying new knowledge to real-world problems and working collaboratively to find solutions. For example, 5th-grade students work in groups to prepare an exhibition and presentation about a topic of their choice, showcasing their self-guided learning to the community.

Student experience design

Alturas International Academy seeks to support, educate, and inspire every student to think critically and collaboratively, value learning, and recognize their common humanity and shared stewardship of the planet. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, our students are inspired to be lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and global citizens. We have a profound understanding that humans are natural inquirers, they want to learn and explore in an environment that is safe and engaging. We are developing growth mindsets in our students where they embrace the struggle and understand that the struggle is part of the journey. Teaching is student centered and curriculum is focused on imparting knowledge as well as teaching students to be caring, principled, reflective, balanced, open minded, inquirers, risk takers and thinkers. Key Elements: ● Children deserve to be taught at their instructional levels to achieve an education that is rigorous and engaging. When students are taught at instructional levels, they can reach their highest potential of learning as well as being leaders and strong mentors. In every Alturas classroom, instruction is provided in small groups, at instructional. We believe that categorizing students by grade levels limits their ability to reach their academic potential. Students constantly collaborate and communicate with partners and group members. They are taught the importance of taking ownership of their own education and supporting their classmates. Through small group learning the students foster analytical and critical thinking skills and explore real life world problems where every member of the group contributes. They collaborate, question, and discover the world around them. ● The multi-age classroom is a unique style of teaching that provides student support through peer mentoring and peer collaboration. Another positive aspect to multi-aged classrooms is that students will remain with the same teacher for up to three years. This allows teachers to learn students’ strengths and needs quickly, and to meet students’ needs across an extended period. Our model is based on best practices in education. ● In classrooms, the teacher primarily acts as a facilitator/trainer to help students become independent, collaborative learners. Our educators teach with our students not at them. They never sit down throughout the day as they are constantly engaged with their students. They go from one instructional group to another giving lessons as students independently take responsibility and guide their learning. Emphasis is placed on the classroom as a collaborative, safe, and supportive community. ● Individuals who believe their talents can be developed through challenging work, good strategies, and input from others have a growth mindset. Having a growth mindset is essential in this model and understanding that making mistakes, respecting, and analyzing others’ opinion is part of the learning process. Teaching excellence is gained through engagement and collaboration and developing the 21st Century skills of communication, collaboration, critical and creative thinking. Our program inspires to make learning relevant, develop higher-level thinking skills, promote teamwork as a process, and incorporate technology as a learning tool. In the end, our commitment to our vision is unwavering. Our mission statement strongly reflects our goals and achievements. Alturas promotes academic distinction, while empowering students to be principled and intellectual leaders as they explore, create, investigate, and analyze in a safe, engaged, collaborative.

Core Practices

Core Practices	Length of Use
Grading Policies Focus On Mastery	5+ years
Multi-age Classrooms	5+ years
Project-based Learning	5+ years
Peer To Peer Support	5+ years
High Quality Instructional Materials	5+ years

All Practices

Advancement On Mastery

AI For Teacher Productivity

Anti-racist Practices

Assessments For Agency And Self-directed Learning

Assessments For Deeper Learning

Blended Learning

Co-leadership

Community And Workforce Partnerships

Family And Community Support Services

Competency/mastery-based Education

Culturally Responsive Practices

Disaggregated Data On Student Participation

All Courses Designed For Inclusion

Interoperable Data From Multiple Technologies

Individual Learning Paths

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics

No Tracked Classes

Reallocation Of Resources For Students Most In Need

Restorative Practices

SEL Curriculum

SEL Integration School-wide

Service Learning

Student-led Conferences

Student-led Goal Setting

Self-paced Learning

Students Develop Projects

Tutoring

Universal Design For Learning

key reasons for innovating

Artifacts

Evidence of Impact Resource 2024 - 2