Our schools feature a rigorous curriculum grounded in the highest expectations for all students, and a caring and nurturing environment with an emphasis on universal human values. The educational program incorporates proven best practices and research-based curricula, along with innovative, teacher-designed lessons.
Village Academies believes it is essential that students attain proficiency in basic knowledge and skills and learn to think deeply, independently and critically. The key educational program elements include:
- A rich liberal arts curriculum based on rigorous standards of excellence.
- A longer day (7:30-5:30) providing students with the time to master core skills, to reflect deeply, and to fall in love with learning.
- A college-bound school culture.
- Frequent, diagnostic assessment of student progress that drives continual instructional improvement.
- Tutoring, Saturday school and study hall for students who need extra help and attention.
- A culture and system of accountability for academic achievement.
- Talented, dedicated teachers with subject area expertise.
- A small, safe, nurturing environment.
- School culture emphasizing kindness, integrity, compassion, hard work, social justice and responsibility.
- An advisory system that provides support and personal attention for students.
- After-school activities including karate, chess, yoga and dance.
- A clear, strict code of conduct that is consistent throughout the school.
- School uniforms contributing to a culture of respect, scholarship, and community.
Rigorous Standards
The Village Academies learning standards provide everyone in the school community with a clear understanding of what students should know and be able to do at each grade level and at graduation from the school. The standards are aligned to New York State and are designed to prepare every student for admission to the nation’s finest colleges. The complete, detailed standards are available upon request.
Character and Values
Integral to the Village Academies mission is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s notion of “strong mind and tender heart,” that a complete education includes the development of intellectual competence as well as the nurturing of fine character. Our emphasis on universal human values and timeless wisdom prepares students to become informed, concerned citizens who are successful in work and in life. An emphasis on kindness, integrity and scholarship is integrated into the academic courses and throughout the school culture.
Preventive Discipline
Discipline at Village Academies is not what we do in reaction to misbehavior; it is what we do to train students to behave properly in the first place. At the beginning of the year, new students are trained through an in-depth, week-long orientation. Our approach to discipline is preventive: we teach students precisely what is expected, and practice routines until they become habit. Teachers are provided with intensive professional training and supported by a school-wide system of routines and rules. Every expectation set is an expectation enforced. We follow the “broken windows” theory of discipline – no late homework, disrespectful gesture, or other minor infraction is tolerated. Students wear school uniforms, must arrive to school on time and prepared, and are expected to follow a strict, clear and consistent code of conduct.
Advisory
Every student is carefully guided by an adult advisor – a mentor who develops a close personal relationship with the student and his or her family. The advisor provides stability and consistent attention, and helps students transition successfully into the challenging Village Academies college preparatory environment.
Parent Involvement
Village Academies builds close relationships with parents, and involve parents in supporting the educational process. Teachers call parents to check-in frequently, soliciting feedback and addressing questions and concerns. Due to its broadcast student recruiting methods, parent demographics are the same as NYC public schools. However, through our parent involvement program, we achieved 94.5% parent participation in school meetings and activities.
Longer School Day and Enrichment Program
The regular school day runs from 7:30-4:40 with an optional homework center and enrichment programs such as martial arts, yoga and chess until 5:30. The longer day provides students with time to practice and master basic skills, and to reflect deeply and fall in love with learning.
Tutoring and Saturday School
We monitor student performance on a weekly and monthly basis. Each week, we assign tutoring to any student who has not mastered the standards. Each month, Saturday School is assigned to students whose grade point average is C or below. Teachers tutor their own students during the day, as well as once a week after school. The tutoring and Saturday school programs prevent the development of chronic problem, and provides immediate and individual attention to students who need extra help.
