Learning is BIG at City Academy because it involves the acquisition and demonstration of broad and comprehensive knowledge, understandings, and skills. City Academy provides a learning environment focused on students developing and demonstrating this type of competency in both academics and personal citizenship.
Inquiry-Based Learning
Big Learning is achieved through Inquiry Based Learning (IBL), a teaching strategy utilized across the curriculum at City Academy. Inquiry Based Learning is a way of organizing and facilitating learning that is very different from direct teaching. IBL uses essential, big “driving” questions that steer students into a subject and engage them in critical and creative thinking about a topic. These questions guide students into very authentic kinds of learning. As students work at answering these questions they utilize the learning styles that work best for them. The goal is to answer the questions in a way that demonstrates competency and big understandings. [back to top]
Foundations Program
At City Academy we are committed to maintaining a focus on academic progress and challenging learning for each student from 7th through 12th grades. To that end, each of our core classes is taught in a demanding grade-level appropriate manner that leads to big learning. When a student’s low ability in writing, math, and/or reading is a barrier to academic success, that student is placed in the Foundations of Learning program at City Academy. The purpose of this program is to provide intensive work in basic math, writing, and/or reading skills that prepares a student as quickly as possible for successful participation in the regular secondary curriculum. Enrollment caps for the Foundations of Learning program courses are as follows: Math Foundations 1 – 6 students, Math Foundations 2 – 12 students, Language Arts Support 1 & 2 and Technical Writing – 12 students each, English 12 – 6 students. Newly applying students to City Academy who require foundations courses will not be enrolled if any foundations course they require is currently full. [back to top]
College Preparation
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Comprehensive
College Preparatory
Curriculum
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City Academy offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum. Critical and creative thinking are a hallmark of the learning experience at City Academy. Writing is emphasized across the curriculum. In order to better prepare our students for college and further learning we have recently adopted the College Preparatory Mathematics program, and we now offer a combination of Cambridge International Examination (CIE) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses for advanced study. All City Academy graduates are expected to have developed good habits of mind, work, heart, and voice which are demonstrated in their graduation portfolio. [back to top]
Graduation Requirements
City Academy graduates also achieve big learning through higher graduation standards. Each graduate completes 4 years of English and at least 3 years each in social studies, mathematics, and laboratory science. Additionally, every graduate completes at least 2 years of a second language, 3 years of PE and health courses, fine arts, pragmatics that includes career and technology education, and a personal graduation portfolio that includes service learning experience. Click here for promotion and graduation requirements by division. [back to top]
Student Leadership Committees
At City Academy every student and teacher is involved in a service learning committee of their choosing that meets during school time once a week and additionally as needed in order to contribute to the success of our school community - each committee and each committee member in their own way. These committees serve as another site for big learning to take place.
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Learning
Through
Public Service
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There are ten student committees at City Academy through which students and adults provide service for our school community while also learning more about issues, skills, and responsibilities of their particular services. The student members of each of these committees are the school leaders in their respective areas, being proactive about "getting things done" and recruiting additional student and adult help as needed.
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Service Learning
100% of City Academy students participate in service learning.
Service learning is more than volunteering; it is another means of accomplishing big learning. Service learning combines service tasks with structured learning opportunities that link the task to self-reflection and self-discovery and the acquisition and comprehension of knowledge, ideas, values, and skills.
At City Academy service learning is required for graduation. Students have opportunities to participate in school sponsored service learning in at least four different ways. Student service learning committees provide service for the school community while providing students the opportunity to learn about the area of service they are providing. Academic service learning opportunities arise in classes across the curriculum when a controversy or issue emerges from the course of study. Students learn about this multifaceted concern and are then asked to develop a solution or resolution to the issue based on their study. Students perform a service when they communicate their solutions to those in our community directly dealing with the issue, or when they take action themselves on the issue.
Additionally, 10th through 12th grade students participate in internship placements of their choosing in non-profit or government organizations in the community. Students learn about the causes and issues of the organization within which they are serving. The student intern then helps the organization implement some of the interventions they have helped develop. Each year there are also several whole school service learning activities where the student body learns more about a particular community need and then acts to help resolve it. [back to top]
Extended Day Program
City Academy has a unique Extended Day Program that enriches our students and promotes individual success after school, in the summer and during other school breaks. The Academic Support Program provides opportunities to learn ‘beyond the classroom,’ and helps students achieve individualized learning goals. Our Physical Wellness Program encourages personal wellness, healthy play habits, and camaraderie. Our Fine Arts program allows each student to express their ideas, dreams, and passions in supported and effective ways. A performing theatre group, community field trips, and open computer lab are all part of this program.
Social events and service projects sponsored by the After School Program provide students with the opportunity to connect with each other and with the larger community in ways that build character and responsible citizenship. Our Extended Day Program provides opportunities for students to earn High School Credit outside of regular school hours. Foreign Language, Electronic High School, Summer School, and ACT/SAT Test Preparation are all a part of this program. A current schedule of classes and calendar of activities is available on the City Academy website. [back to top]
