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The Intellectual Virtues Academy Blog

Front door entrance to IVA High School.

Take a Tour of IVA High

he front entrance of IVA High is brightly colored and a door sign lists the intellectual virtues

Whether you're short on time and can’t make it to campus, or you just want to learn more from the comfort of your phone, we’ve got you covered with a picture tour of our tuition-free high school. Happy scrolling!

You may notice right away that our front office looks a bit different than a traditional school. We mean it when we say we have an “open door” policy - there are no doors to separate the staff from the students. We like it this way - the open layout allows us to model authentic relationships, communicate and be connected to what's going on. Students can always find someone if they need to chat.  

The front office desks of IVA High. The image shows many desks in a room with windows at the end.

IVA Staff member is seated and talking to 2 IVA students

Walking through the school, you’ll notice vibrant, student-created murals, projects, art and lots of posters about upcoming events and school info adorning every surface. The walls are decorated by the students, for the students and act as a visible reminder of our learner-centered approach. We call our wall displays MTV - Making Thinking Visible!

View of hallway at IVA High with colorful walls on left, half wall to the right and foosball table.

A brightly colored hallway at IVA High is festooned with flags and student decorated walls.

Foosball table  in front of wall with bulletin board with colorful posters on it.

3 IVA students walk down hall with mural on the wall

Hallway wall with Biology: Composting 101 bulletin board

Colorful mural in teals and oranges in IVA High hallway

Our classrooms come in many shapes and sizes – literally, no two are alike! But one thing that is the same throughout all of our classrooms is that they are set up so we can learn from each other and work together. Each room is equipped with all the resources and technology you need to learn. One class even has garage doors that open to our backyard to transform our classroom spaces.

IVA High classroom with triangle-shaped desks

IVA High classroom with large tables and chairs and smartboard

IVA High classroom with tables and chairs and colorful banners across the ceiling

Outside, you’ll find one of our favorite spaces – our backyard! This is the place to hang out with friends or play a game and also where we gather for events. We have big plans to transform this space in the coming months thanks to a large grant that will help us build a garden (already started!) and freshen up the landscaping. Stay tuned!

IVA High outside backyard with basketball hoop

9 IVA students playing basketball in backyard

Large group of IVA students in front of raised gardening beds in backyard

IVA students eating lunch at picnic table in backyard of school

At the center of our philosophy, and at the center of our facility, is The Commons. This is a space for students to be seen, heard and valued. Our school is designed to facilitate conversations, roundtable discussions, gathering and joy because we value student contribution and voice. There is nothing more important to us than making room for you to find a place to connect and belong

Sign outside door with text The Commons

IVA Students gathered for assembly in The Commons

IVA students behind 2 tables at front of The Commons with 3 students in between tables.

IVA students gathered in horseshoe shape for assembly with teacher standing in front.

Coach in front of bright yellow wall with college penants hanging across the wall above the couch

Interested in making IVA High your home for the 2024-25 school year? We’re enrolling for multiple pathways to your future. Check out our enrollment page to get started 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. IVA High - Curious Minds, Empowered Community - Join Us.