What is an “Accelerated School”?
What is a “charter school”?
How does The Accelerated School operate?
How do I get on the waiting list?
How can you help?

What is an “Accelerated School”?  Top
Dr. Henry Levin, an internationally renowned educator from Stanford University, created the Accelerated Schools Model in 1986. At an accelerated school, all students are treated as gifted and all teachers are evaluated based on student performance. High expectations are set for each student and teachers are responsible for creating powerful learning experiences relevant to their students’ lives. Parents as well as school staff play prominent roles in governance and decision-making functions, creating a curriculum and atmosphere that foster accelerated learning. Moreover, the entire community shares in the ownership of, governing and responsibility for the school—as well as in the school’s rewards. There are about 50 accelerated schools in the United States.

What is a “charter school”?  Top
Though they are public schools, The Accelerated School and other charter schools are granted an unusual degree of autonomy by local districts in exchange for increased accountability. Charter schools are free from restrictions that can hamper progress, as long as student achievement increases measurably. At The Accelerated School, the administration retains authority for the hiring of all staff and for merit-based retention and promotion, plus it has the freedom to set fiscal priorities, manage its budget and establish its own policies. Charter schools do not qualify for certain development funds from the School Board of Education, but does receive basic average daily attendance rate funds. In order to fund special programs and expansion efforts critical to the school’s mission, additional monies must be raised from the private sector. There are 300+ charter schools in California and more than 2,000 nationwide.

How does The Accelerated School operate?  Top
The Accelerated School is the first school in the nation to combine the best of charter school and accelerated school philosophies, practices and standards. While all students are treated as gifted, they are not academically screened prior to acceptance. All students are exposed to intensive learning experiences, emphasizing a hands-on approach and linking studies across disciplines to foster a well-rounded educational experience. The Accelerated School systematically defines its own challenges, searches for unique solutions and involves families in every aspect of their children’s education. Today, The Accelerated School is a national model for a new approach to public education, one that is based on an entire community’s commitment to providing the best possible education for its children—and one that remains highly sensitive to the leadership role it can play in the area of school reform and as a model for charter schools nationwide.

How do I get on the waiting list?  Top
To ensure equal opportunity to all prospective students, admission to The Accelerated School is based on a lottery system, with no academic screening involved. All Waiting List Forms are due to The Accelerated School by March 31st of every year and the Annual Lottery is held the 2nd week of April. (Information regarding the Annual Lottery is publicized every year and available to the community for viewing.) The lottery is comprised of names from the waiting list that’s maintained by The Accelerated School.

If you have a student currently already attending a school within The Accelerated Family of Schools and would like to enroll a sibling of this student, they must still be placed on the waiting list—however, siblings are given priority for enrollment when openings are available. Any questions regarding the waiting list, the lottery or enrollment can be directed to School Administrative Assistant at (323) 235-6343 Extension 130.

How can you help?  Top
In its first 10 years, The Accelerated School has accomplished a great deal thanks to the generous donations of individuals, families, community members, local businesses, corporations and foundations. These much-appreciated donations take many forms—ranging from fulfillment of items on the school’s “Wish List” to foundation grants. The Accelerated School sincerely appreciates the caring and support of all friends and partners who continue to help make possible the vision of helping children grow, achieve and strengthen the future of the community. For more information, see Giving.