Program Characteristics
New Vista actively engages every student in rigorous learning. Our program includes: high academic and behavioral expectations for all students; personal relationships built on mutual respect with all adults in the building; an advisor who supports each student from enrollment through graduation; choices that allow students to shape the educational program to meet their needs and interests; active learning within all classrooms as well as varied and engaging course offerings; and significant opportunities to learn in the community. Finally, New Vista has a school culture that values individuals, community and learning with an explicit emphasis on understanding and valuing diversity.
To actively engage every student in learning, our program includes:
- Personal relationships, built on mutual respect, with all adults in the building.
- An advisor who supports each student from enrollment through graduation.
- Choices that allow students to shape the educational program to meet their needs and interests.
- Active learning within all classrooms, as well as varied and engaging course offerings.
- Whole-school initiatives to value diversity and create a welcoming environment for students of all backgrounds.
- A school climate that values individuals, community, and learning.
Programmatic elements:
- Enrollment by choice
- Small school size and class size
- Quarter calendar and block classes
- Weekly time for learning in the community
- Service Week devoted to social action and environmental stewardship
- Course offerings that respond to student and teacher interests
- Credit for mentored learning outside of the regular school day and year
- Off-campus learning in technical or post-secondary programs
- Advisory groups
- Heterogeneous and multiage class groupings
- A full inclusion approach to special education
- An inclusive program for English Language Learners
Unique graduation requirements carry the expectation that each student will:
- Earn grades of A or B in the following categories: Applied Technology, Arts, Interpersonal Skills, Intrapersonal Skills, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, World Language
- Earn almost half of required credits in learning opportunities chosen by students
- Complete a Culminating Project.