In order for students to be prepared to obtain a college degree when they set foot on a college campus they must be life-long learners when they leave PS7. As such, learning does not stop at PS7 once the bell rings or when students walk out of the classroom. PS7 uses every moment of everyday as a teachable moment. PS7 staff model what it looks like to be a life-long learner by pursuing graduate school degrees and other professional development opportunities, and sharing these experiences with students. PS7 extends its school day well beyond the minimum amount of time required by the State of California. At PS7 beginning in 1st grade, students are in school longer than all high school students in the neighboring Sacramento City Unified School District. Our middle school students are in class for 25,000 more minutes every year than is required by the state. That’s the equivalent of over 17 more days of school (24 hour days!)
Despite our long school days and high expectations for life-long learners at PS7 we acknowledge that this is not enough to fully prepare students for success. PS7 offers several opportunities for students and teachers to extend learning beyond the traditional classroom subjects of English-Language Arts, math, history, and science. To address the high skill and educational demands for students PS7 offers many enrichment opportunities both during and after school which provide students with valuable learning experiences focused on building the habits and skills of leaders. Learning extends beyond the city limits 5th graders go to Marin Headlands, 6th graders to Sly Park, 7th and 8th graders to the Ashland Shakespeare Festival. The entire student population, Kindergarten through 8th grade, visit one university per year. Students have traveled to Universities throughout Northern California including UC Berkeley, Stanford, UC Davis, University of the Pacific, and Sacramento State. These “field lessons” add a valuable component to our academic program and make learning more meaningful, engaging and fun.
