Ivy Academia makes a concerted effort to provide support and help for students when they experience academic problems. To this end, we are aggressively pursuing a plan for intervention at Ivy. We intend to work closely with students who are struggling in a class or are in danger of failing, by including assessments, individual attention, intervention classes, summer school and other types of support. We will do everything we can to have your child succeed in school.
The school conducts extensive assessment of students to assure proper placement in grades and classes. After school intervention is offered at no charge.
In addition, free summer school classes are offered, and regular benchmark assessments focusing on California State Standards are given, along with quarterly and semester exams. STAR tests are administered in the spring. Ivy also has a very strong resource program for students who qualify.Students with Special Needs
The Director of Student Support Services is responsible for assisting Ivy Academia in meeting the needs of Second Language Learners, Students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Students with 504 Plans.
English Language Learners (ELL): In keeping with California Department of Education requirements, students for whom English is a second language must receive the California English Language Test (CELDT), unless previously administered. Students determined to be Limited Language Proficient (LEP) will be given special consideration and educational support as they become more proficient with the English language. These students will be tested at the beginning of each school year until they can be reclassified as Fluent English Proficient (FEP.)
Students with Individual Education Plans: Upon initial enrollment, parents must submit a copy of their student’s most recent IEP. The IEP will be examined prior to the start of the school year. It must be implemented to the best of Ivy’s ability with existing resources. If it is determined that changes need to be made to the IEP to better meet the needs of the student, an IEP will be arranged within 30 days of enrollment. Ivy is a member of the LAUSD Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) and is subject to its policies and procedures.
Students with Section 504 Plans: Upon initial enrollment, parents must submit a recent copy of their child’s Section 504 plan to be distributed to the teachers. It is a legal requirement of teachers and administrators to make sure that students receive all educational accommodations as indicated in the 504 plan. 504 plans are to be reviewed and updated at least every three years or as is needed. The Special Education Department at each campus is responsible for monitoring this process.
Student Success Team (SST): When a child is struggling, his/her teacher may schedule a meeting with the parent, teachers, student (if appropriate), site administrator, and all who are familiar with the student. The purpose of the meeting is to identify the student’s strengths and challenges, to ask and answer questions related to the student’s performance, to determine what has worked and what more can be done by whom and when. Copies of the SST plan will be distributed to all stakeholders for immediate implementation. A follow-up SST meeting to evaluate how the SST plan is working and to make any additions or changes to the plan will be scheduled. The SST process is an essential step in assessing whether or not a student requires further assessment for possible special education support.
IAGATE Program
The Ivy Academia's Gifted and Talented Education (IAGATE) Program is designed to motivate students in a challenging and stimulating environment that promotes student achievement.
Ivy Academia educators believe in a differentiated curriculum that incorporates the following components:
- High level extension activities and projects
- Hands-on activities
- Cross-curriculum connections
- Implementation of note taking
- Group and partner activities and projects
- Center-based learning
- Observation and investigation/ Constructivist approach to learning
- Experimentation and application of the scientific method to real life
- Real life adventures
- Connections to entrepreneurial program
- Opportunities for student and teacher reflection
- Field trips related to curriculum
Teachers work closely with the Ivy Academia Assessment Coordinator and Administrators to take part in staff development opportunities that further their knowledge and understanding of the social, emotional and academic needs of their students.
Ivy Academia's comprehensive IAGATE program encourages and provides for the ongoing participation of parents/guardians in the planning and evaluation of their individual student program.Parents will attend meetings and workshops designed to provide the latest educational information about gifted children and ideas and programs to implement at home to further stimulate the child.
Identified IAGATE students who elect to participate in the program will be expected to maintain a high level of academic performance, show progress in mastering course requirements, embrace academic challenges, and demonstrate a level of commitment necessary for success in the program. Continued enrollment in the IAGATE program will require on-going evidence of academic achievement and performance.
Characteristics of a Gifted Child
Student whose general intellectual development is markedly advanced in relationship to their chronological peers.
- Students who consistently function for two consecutive years at highly advanced levels in reading (elementary) or English (secondary) and mathematics.
Process for Identification
Identification is accomplished through the following process:
Referral: Interested parents of students who may be eligible should contact their teacher or GATE Coordinator.
- Identified at prior school
- Screening: The school administrator, along with the student?s teacher, screens student by collecting data from existing sources, such as the cumulative record, report cards for the last two years, progress report cards, scores on recently administered achievement tests, EduSoft test results, parent questionnaire and standards based assessments.
- Committee Review: The Principal, GATE Coordinator and other knowledgeable educators will review all screening and assessment materials to determine the eligibility of students.Parents are notified by letter as to the student?s eligibility or non-eligibility.If a student is found eligible for IAGATE, parents will receive a Parent?s Consent for Participation form that the parents must sign and return to the school to be kept in the student?s cumulative record.
- Portfolios, projects, presentations and participation in exhibitions are particularly useful in ensuring that IAGATE students are accountable for working up to their potential by customizing expectations to each learner.In consultation with their teachers and parents, students set annual academic goals (Individual Performance Plans). Throughout the school year, evidence of this accelerated learning is collected and placed in a portfolio to verify the accomplishment of the goals. Individual Performance Plans will be reviewed at least annually and maintained in an orange folder as an important part of the IAGATE student?s cumulative record.
Ivy Academia PreK-12 Grade 6051 De Soto Avenue Woodland Hills, CA 91367 818-348-8190 Fax: 818-348-8339 ivy@ivyacademia.com
