6 Transformational Learning Approaches

As a tuition-free charter school, our founders had the freedom to design a high school that would be not only innovative and preparatory, but perhaps most importantly, transformational. Learning at IVA High supports students to become critical and creative thinkers with the capacity for self-growth. We strive to provide a world-class education that is accessible to all and enables everyone, as one IVA High parent said, to “become a better student AND human being.” 

Here are 6 essential components of transformational learning at IVA High: 

1. Rooted in the Intellectual Virtues

Intellectual virtues are the personal qualities of a good thinker or learner – traits like curiosity, wonder, open-mindedness, and intellectual perseverance. Our highly qualified teachers weave these traits into each of our classes, challenging students to practice critical and creative thinking skills. New York Times bestselling author, Jonathan Haidt, says in his book The Coddling of the American Mind, that IVA High students are “wiser and stronger” and urges “prestigious universities” to “admit more students who have attended schools that teach the intellectual virtues.”

2. Experiential & Meaningful

We utilize a project based approach to learning that engages students in real-life scenarios. We also provide every student at IVA High with access to a paid internship, providing the experience and social capital to help students define and grow their career interests. Field trips are an essential component of our program to build meaningful experiences for our students. 

3. Learner-Centered

We get to know our students, their backgrounds and their passions by building trusted relationships and using essential guiding questions such as “Who am I?” and “Who are we?” Our curriculum puts students’ wisdom, wonders and needs in the center of classroom learning. IVA High students actively participate in the learning community and they are given voice and choice in the process of co-creating their learning experiences alongside teachers who act as facilitators. 

4. Compassionate & Courageous Community

Our community leads with compassion and care, dedicated to the social and emotional health of our student body, promoting a school setting that is safe, secure and inclusive. Our students feel supported to dig deep, ask questions and take risks. 

I watch my daughter grow and mature and stretch. Her academic inquisitiveness has exploded. Her kindness is intact. She is getting more comfortable in her own skin. She has ideas, revelations and moments of brilliance and discovery that I attribute to the creative and critical thinking that is a constant at IVA High. She has transitioned beautifully from middle school to high school, and we watch with joy as she is challenged intellectually, supported emotionally, and applauded for being exactly who she is.

–IVA High Parent

5. Preparatory for College, Career and Life

Aligned with California state standards, our curriculum ensures that IVA High graduates are prepared for college and a career of their choosing. We offer the opportunity to earn tuition-free college credits through dual enrollment with Long Beach Community College, as well as Advanced Placement and College Preparatory courses that develop skills that both colleges and employers seek. Juniors and seniors at IVA High take a college and career preparation course that supports their transition from high school. We have a 96% success rate of getting students offers into one of their top 3 colleges of choice.

6. Well-Rounded 

Included in our rigorous academic program is a selection of arts and engineering classes as well as rotating clubs such as creative writing, debate, skate and coding. Plenty of time to socialize, move, and find joy in our community, rounding out an education intended to develop the whole person.

We invite you to join us in our mission to transform learning and lives. Find out more and enroll at our tuition-free high school for the 2023-24 school year, today. 

About IVA High

IVA High is a fully accredited, tuition-free public high school in Long Beach, California with a mission to empower students to think well: creatively, critically, and with a capacity for self-growth. Our learner-centered approach puts students in charge of their education, while dual enrollment and paid internships transform learning into action. Students come for college prep, STEAM and limitless options for their future; they stay for smaller, safer learning in a vibrant, caring community. Join us–we’re building curious minds & empowered communities.