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Willow Creek Academy is a charter school formed to serve scholastically and socially prepared K-* students who show the ability and promise of succeeding in an academically challenging setting. Willow Creek will provide an integrated learning environment that will allow students to study and complete competencies within an academic and social curriculum at their own pace and level. The following will be integral components of this process:Parent/School Contract - Parents or guardians of each student will enter into an agreement to: a) ensure their child is "school ready" every day: present on time, well rested and nourished, clothed in conformity with school standards, and academically prepared, b) commit 50 hours during each school year or such hours deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors, c) attend scheduled parent/teacher conferences as well as individual conferences as requested by their child's teachers, d) authorize such testing as may be requested by school authorities to diagnose their child's academic and/or social competencies or deficiencies, and e) commit to continuing and encouraging their child's education in the home, through both actively encouraging reading and homework after school and through spending time with their child in "extra-curricular" activities. Curriculum & Instructional Methods - Willow Creek Academy will offer a hybrid instructional methodology and an extended school day with corresponding curriculum adapting the traditional instructional delivery of "core' curriculum subjects, including reading, writing and mathematics, to a project based classroom environment. Using the best features of these instructional methods, Willow Creek Academy intends to combine strong reading, writing, language and math skills with student self discovery in other subjects using project based education. Physical Education - Recognizing that a healthy body and mental alertness are an integral part of the total child, Willow Creek Academy will offer age appropriate vigorous physical education instructed by professionals in the field. Physical education will emphasize healthy competition, teamwork, individual recognition and school spirit. With growth in student population, Willow Creek intends to enter appropriate intramural competition when available. Academic Excellence - Students will study the traditional subjects of English, math, science, local and world history with the expectation of high measurable goals. All students will be expected to offer a minimum grade level competence, and will be expected to demonstrate progressive mastery of academic subject matter. Enjoyment of and excellence in literacy will be emphasized throughout the curricula. Technological Orientation - All classrooms will offer a sufficient number of computer workstations for each student to utilize computer-based learning programs. Emphasis will be placed on each student's ability to progress on his or her own individualized academic program. Computer programs will be selected to include the ability to assess, diagnose strengths and weaknesses and prescribe individualized learning programs for each student. Ecological and Environmental Focus - Willow Creek Academy will emphasize student based action and activities which encourage personal responsibility for concerns affecting our planet's future, with focus on and maximum use made of the Bay Area's unique natural environments: San Francisco Bay, Marin Headlands, Muir Woods and the Pacific Coastline. Life-long Independent Learning Skills Enhancement - Students will be encouraged to develop the ability to identify what they need to know and to seek out where to get needed support or information. Students will be expected to demonstrate progressive and successful problem solving and creative thinking skills, as well as the ability to facilitate successful interactions within social, cultural, vocational, technological, community and personal domains. Community Advocacy - Students will be exposed to the Bay Area's unique, available community resources and will be expected to work in partnership with others in the general community regarding mutual life concerns. Personal Worth and Leadership - Students will be encouraged to develop and demonstrate a healthy sense of self-esteem and personal motivation, to think critically, act independently, and contribute constructively and to formulate positive goals and plans of action. Students will be encouraged to develop individual ability to accurately assess and accept individual differences and competencies and to positively affect and guide others in a variety of settings while incorporating team building, ongoing negotiation and problem-solving. Language/Cultural Appreciation - Students will be exposed to "other" (non-English) languages as background for examination of different opinions and viewpoints, world history, and comparative religion and philosophy as well as visits with different cultures. The objective will be to instill the appreciation that all peoples, cultures and their physical environment can be interrelated by the study of world languages. Art - Willow Creek Academy will seek to embrace and nurture creativity through art and offer every opportunity for students to be exposed to and participate in the fine arts, music and theatre. The art curriculum will provide understanding and appreciation through various means, such as access to the local artistic community and student plays, concerts and art displays. Students will be encouraged to apply this creativity to technology, writing and mathematics/science. The proposed model can provide academic continuity and a sense of community through the utilization of an integrated learning environment and provision of related services in a 'full-service' school setting. This model represents an alternative that blends: (1.) Individualized and self-paced learning plans of independent study with strong instructional delivery in "core" curriculum subjects, (2.) the socialization and community support of a public school, and (3.) parental commitment and involvement. Four primary objectives are associated with achieving these goals: 1) Identify how to identify and reach the target population who would benefit from an accelerated academic program. 2) Identify the most appropriate curriculum and integrated learning system 3) Identify the most appropriate age level to be served 4) Identify a financially viable business model for serving the target population.