Community  -. At ACS we are all about community. Even the architecture of our building encourages interaction and cooperation. Students, staff and parents pass easily through the central area and exchange information and a smile. In class, students are presented with numerous opportunities to collaborate. During the year there are several major projects that require teachers, students and parents to combine their efforts toward a common educational goal. In December we will all perform perform a dance based on the theme “Mexico.” In the spring, our all school, all community, musical involves a myriad of educational disciplines. The goal is the same, to engage in an activity where we all strive for excellence. The work of being a community however, takes place everyday, in small ways. Our weekly all school meeting is an opportunity to celebrate learning and address common challenges. El Tioga, our all community lunch, raises money and brings us together to share a meal. The essence of community is that all of us are stronger than any one of us.

 

Responsibility – We support students to become responsible for their lives, their learning, and our community. Responsibility means taking ownership. It looks like being proud of your schoolwork and presenting it before your peers, teachers and parents at portfolio conferences. It means participating in school jobs and learning your part in all school events. It means working through disputes in a constructive way that leads to mutual respect and cooperation.

 

Life Long Learning – All students need skills to be successful in life. Our four core subjects, taught everyday, are Mathematics, Literacy, Wellness and the Arts. Outdoor Education, Science and Social Studies are taught throughout the year, usually as part of all school themes. Teachers assess basic skills weekly and each year by state mandated standardized tests. All subjects are taught with a focus on both specific skills and the relevance of these skills to the lives of each student.

 

Social Justice – This principal commits us to fairness in groups of all sizes. Social justice is embedded in our wellness program. Students are taught skills that encourage mutual respect and cooperation within the class and our community. As students advance through the grades these same concepts and skills are applied more globally. Each year every student will have the opportunity to give back to others. As a condition of graduation, 8^th graders must complete a service-learning project, which benefits others. Projects have included painting a cafeteria in the South Bronx and working with the homeless at Glide Memorial Hospital in San Francisco.