We serve students in grades K-12, and we also provide a life skills program for students up to age 22.  Students who have been unsuccessful in traditional classrooms, who learn differently or who have identified learning disabilities, will find Sierra Academy to be a place in which they can grow and achieve success. Our students may have learning disabilities in the areas of speech/language, auditory processing, central auditory processing, sensory integration, social skills deficits, and neurological or other health impairments. Additionally, they may also have low self esteem related to previous school failures.

Sierra Academy of San Diego follows state and local requirements and has the capacity to create highly individualized curriculum for optimum student success.

Our program includes: 
• Occupational Therapy/Sensory Integration 
• Speech/Language Therapy 
• 8-10 students per class, 3:1 student/teacher ratio 
• Small Group Instruction/Specialized Program 
• Social Skills Training 
• Counseling Services
• Life Skills Training 
• School Wide Behavior Program

At Sierra Academy, we want students to experience success in the classroom as quickly as possible. We start by helping the child master achievable skills and problems. Once the child achieves that academic success, they are able to feel more excited about learning. Gradually, we introduce more challenging material – never overwhelming the student. In this way, children are able to feel successful in the classroom – some for the first time. That academic success translates into a healthier self-esteem, which in turn gives the student the confidence to aim for higher levels of achievement. The student learns to trust, and feels supported enough to risk taking on a new learning challenge. In our experience, this approach helps reverse the negative image that many children have of themselves as students when they first arrive.

Our Life Skills program is designed to prepare high school students to enter the community through a hands-on and interactive approach. Students will be exposed to basic life and vocational skills. Many of the skills are directly in line with our students’ Individualized Educational Plans. The students will explore these skills through a theme-based program.  Students will be responsible for creating their own portfolio that will include items such as current resumes, sample job applications, mock interview questions, a Library Card, and a California Identification Card.  The Life Skills Program at Sierra Academy will utilize “experience-based learning,” which will stress direct participation in order to increase motivation, learning and retention of the skills being taught.

Sierra Academy of San Diego works to provide a safe and nurturing learning environment for students who need an alternative setting to achieve their potential.  Sierra Academy follows state and local requirements and has the capacity to create highly individualized curriculum for optimum student success for all our students.

Sierra Academy of San Diego is a Candidate for Accreditation for Grades 1-12. Approved by the Schools Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, until 2011. Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Schools, 533 Airport Blvd., Suite 200, Burlingame, CA 94010 Phone: (650) 696-1060

School Accountability Report Cards

Sierra School is pleased to announce that our School Accountability Report Cards (SARC) are available for review.  Sierra School has made their SARC available to you in two different formats: 1) you may review the document via the link below or 2) you may request a paper copy by contacting your school office.

Sierra School of San Diego 2008-2009 SARC

The Sierra Experience

A first hand account of my experience at Sierra Academy

I first came to Sierra Academy four years ago. When I first started at Sierra Academy I was shy and getting used to life at the school. Now I have more confidence then I ever did and the whole school has become my school family. I especially had great difficulty with speech and communication.  The speech teachers here are outstanding.  My ability to communicate has improved so much, that I now have the confidence to approach people and start a conversation.

I have enjoyed many things at Sierra Academy, like the one on one learning experience, the outstanding teachers and staff, which are always so nice to work with. Also, the custom academic schedule to fit your needs. If you’re at a 5th grade reading level and a 9th grade math level, they create a custom curriculum just for you.  At my old school, the whole class went at the same pace and when I couldn’t keep up I was left behind.  The teachers here go at the pace I need and are always willing to repeat something if I need it.

My least favorite part about Sierra Academy is one of the P.E. activities, like taking a lap around the building. For those that are starting at Sierra now, in the future or even thinking about it, my advice for them is that, just like any new school, that you are transitioning to, it takes getting used to.

What are my plans for graduation? Well after I graduate I’m going to go to Grossmont College. I’m going to take an online career development class this summer through Grossmont. Also, during the fall I’m going to take some computer program classes, office skills and customer service classes. I would like to learn about business, how to use Microsoft Office  (many businesses require that).  I’m going to miss my old school, but I can’t wait to start college. It’s going to be an interesting transition. I will continue to come back to Sierra Academy for school dances and school functions, so I can visit my friends and teachers.  Sierra Academy will always be my family and always there to support and help me with my future.

Sierra Academy Needs your Help!

Sierra Academy needs your help and support for the month of July!
We have submitted 2 Grant proposals through Pepsi's RefreshEverything Sweepstakes for:
1.    Sierra Academy's Life Skills / Transition Program
2.    Dr. Criger's Strong Mind = Strong Bodies protocol implemented during Sierra Strong
 
The two grants were written up and created not only to promote Sierra Academy's amazing approaches to educating students with special needs, but to also gain more funding to attain the optimal conditions necessary to enrich the lives of our very special students through these programs. 

Pepsi's Refresheverything is based on a democratic vote. The top 10 voted by the public will automatically win, and this is where we need your help! If you can vote for each proposal everyday for the month of May AND spread the word to anyone and everyone you know, we are more than confidant that we will win both of these!

ANYONE with an E-Mail address can signup for a free account:
 
http://www.refresheverything.com/
Click on “Join Refresh Everything” (Bottom left hand corner)
Fill in the information
Then everyday, login and vote for our two proposals!

www.refresheverything.com/sierralifeskills
www.refresheverything.com/strongmindstrongbody

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact:

Jennell Kim or Brandi Bolter
858-578-5335 ext. 17
jennell.kim@gmail.com or brandi.bolter@gmail.com
 
Thank you in advance for all your support!

Students & Staff of the Month

Every month we have an assembly to recognize our “Students and Staff of the Month”. Students receive this award for a variety of different reasons including following directions, being respectful, being a role model for others and completing their work.  As a reward, Ms. DiSano takes the group out to lunch!  Our end of the year students and staff of the month are: Brendan, Marshall, Michael Linder, and Mateo. This month the whole Elementary team was recognized as super stars! Way to go Ms. Gallagher, Ms. Hood, and Ms. Shanahan.

Blue Level Event:  Rock Climbing

Sierra Academy took their annual rock climbing fieldtrip on February 8th, 2010 for all the students on blue level.  Approximately 40 students and staff went to the Solid Rock Gym in Poway.  Everyone took turns climbing and belaying each other.  Both the students and staff always have a blast when we go rock climbing! It was a great social activity, and a good way to support each other while having fun. 
 

Help for Haiti

In order to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, Sierra Academy recently held two fundraisers. We started the day with an all you can eat Pancake Breakfast. Our 9th grade life skills group planned and organized this event and they raised $255.00. That afternoon, we had a dance-a thon for the last hour of the day and all the students boogied down to raise money.  At this event, we raised close to $1,000! The students all did an amazing job and worked together for a great cause! 

Sierra Academy Gives This Season

Sierra Academy students and staff participated in a food drive to support the San Diego Food Bank. Sierra students learned how many families have a need for food donations, especially during the holidays. Over the course of just one week we filled a large box with 59 pounds of canned food, pasta and even toothbrushes. Mrs. Sackett along with Conor Dawson, Miles Gargano and Anthony Swit delivered the box on December 17th. The boys are pictured standing in front of a fork lift with one of the food bank's red food bins.

Spirit Week/Sierra Olympics

Students participated in a school wide Spirit week, consisting of Backwards day, Pajama day, Wild Hair day, Dress Your Best day, and Sierra Spirit day! Ms. Bolter’s class showed the most spirit throughout the week, winning an ice cream sundae party provided by Ms. Disano. To end the week students competed in Sierra Olympics consisting of tug a war, three legged race, egg toss, water balloon toss, and a relay race.  The students shined with all of their spirit!

Harvest Festival

Our first Harvest Festival was a huge success!  We had plenty of games for the students, as well as a fun jump and lots of food!  We also had a silent auction and many prizes to raffles off.  Everyone who attended had a wonderful time.  We raised almost $2,000.00 and already purchased a variety of items including a video camera, CD players, OT equipment and sports supplies for our PE program.  Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this event happen and to the families who came to support us!

Life Skills Team Presents at NFAR Conference

The Sierra Academy of San Diego Life Skills team was asked to present at the National Foundation for Autism Research (NFAR) Conference on February 4th, 2009.  NFAR is a local organization dedicated to funding the development of innovative treatment programs and options that improve the quality of life for children living with Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders.  Our Life Skills team consists of Dr. Erin Schwier OTR/L, Deb Barnett SLP, Jan Clark SLP, and Brandi Bolter special education teacher.   Sierra has a unique approach to teaching Life Skills, as we teach using a collaborative effort with the service providers and we provide a community based program for our students.  We also provide job opportunities for students through the Workability Grant. See the Video here Sierra Academy Teachers Featured on CNN

The "After School Spot"

We are very exited to announce that there will now be an after school program held at Sierra Academy.  The "After School Spot" will be open Monday through Thursday from 3:00-5:30 and Wednesdays from 1:00-5:30.  This program is open to all students at Sierra Academy, as well as students in the community.  The "After School Spot" provides safe, fun, and creative activities for youth during the after school hours.  Through the interactions of peers and staff members, this program will provide multiple opportunities for social and physical growth.  Our goal is to provide an exceptional program while meeting the needs of students, parents, and the community.  The cost is $75.00 per week.  Please contact Kelly McBride at 858-877-8851 if you would like more information on the program.  Kelly will be joining the Sierra Academy team this upcoming school year and has had years of experience running exciting and engaging after school programs!

Sierra Wolves Sports

Sierra Academy Wolves just completed their third year in the CAPSES sports league. Students participate in all three sports- flag football, basketball and softball.  Participating in the sports league is an amazing way for students to practice leadership and positive sportsmanship with their peers.  All middle and high school students are welcome to join the Sierra Academy wolves on the field!  Please visit the CAPSES sports league website at http://www.sdcapsesleague.com/ for more information.

SEEDS Program

The counseling program at Sierra Academy is excited to announce that we now offer the SEEDS program (Self Esteem Education and Development in Sexuality). This class is offered to our high school students as a forum to discuss and learn about relationships in a more in-depth way. Students begin by learning about themselves, then branch out into acquaintances, friends and boy/girlfriends. It is an important aspect of their social development. They are having fun, and supporting each other. This has been a valuable addition to Sierra’s program.

Sierra Academy adopts Compass Learning Program

Compass Learning is a leader in innovative education solutions. They stay up to date on the latest educational initiatives, research, and standards. For nearly 40 years, they have pioneered technology that is based on current and confirmed research.

Compass Learning’s process starts with curriculum and assessment experts who develop research-based instruction. Then teams of designers, writers, and engineers collaborate to produce creative lessons that will keep students interested and receptive to learning.

Odyssey, the company’s flagship K-12 software-based curriculum, assesses each student’s understanding of key objectives. Based on this assessment, a student is automatically prescribed a personalized learning path filled with engaging activities. The time-consuming task of monitoring and measuring student success is made easier with Odyssey’s wide variety of reporting features.

ACT News

This has been an exciting year for the new ACT program!  We have many career experience opportunities set up for our students. Students arealso learning how to be fit in their community. Students have set up their own gardening plot and are participating in an aquatics course at Miramar College.  We have students currently participating in opportunities at Old Navy, Executive Deli/Café, Marshall’s, Petco, Lifetouch Photography Studio, First Choice Business Brokers, and Posies Flower Shop.  We also have an internship set up for two students who are Assistant Basketball Coaches for a local High School. In addition to these sites, we also offer on-campus jobs that are available to both ACT students and the Life Skills Program. These include The Sierra Design Center and the Sierra Sunrise Café.

In order for students to participate any of these activities they must complete job retention curriculum, interviewing skills, application skills, resume building and meet certain behavior standards.  Students
go through the interviewing process and apply for these positions. In turn, the program offers a variety of different vocational experiences to prepare our students for their future endeavors. Students learn how to be productive in their community, access community resources, and explore their interest and needs in the ACT and Life Skills programs.

Career Day

This years Career Day was a huge success!  Students participated in presentations on six different careers.  Speakers included: Posies Flower Shop, Bus Driver, Graphic Designer, Dentist/Dental Assistant, Lifetouch Photography, and Veterinarian/Vet Technician.  The presentations were hands-on and interactive.  Students learned about educational requirements, job specifics, and other interesting facts!

Life Skills

This course is offered to all 9th-12th graders. Students earn 5 elective credits for this class, and the course is designed for students working towards their diploma.  Students will be offered at least two hours of Life Skills per week.  Students will be exposed to life and vocational skills.  Many of these skills are directly in line with the students’ Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The students will explore these skills through a thematic-based program.  Students in the program will be responsible for creating their own portfolio that will include items such as resumes, sample job applications, mock interview questions, a library card, community outings, reflection activities, and California Identification Card.

Adult Career Transitions (ACT Program)

This is a full-time class offered to students and they will receive a life skills based curriculum that is directly in line with their Individualized Education Plan (IEP).  Students who are in the ACT program will have the opportunity to participate in WorkAbility.  The structure of this program will give us an opportunity to better meet the transitional needs of the students who will be with us up to the age of 22. Students will continue to get in-class academic instruction, as well as community based instruction, which will help students generalize skills outside of the school.  The students involved in the ACT program will have an opportunity to explore on-campus jobs, community jobs, internships, and volunteer experiences.  The ACT program will allow the teachers to address the individual learning needs of your student in the most interactive and realistic way possible in order to best meet their needs.

Career Experience Opportunity  (CEO)

This course is designed for 10th-12th graders who have completed at least one year of the Life Skills elective class or are enrolled in the ACT program.  Students earn 2.5 credits for this class.  The students who take this course are dually enrolled in the Life Skills course or ACT Program. The students will begin exploring on-campus jobs, community jobs through Internships, and volunteer experience. When students are ready, they will have the opportunity to work at an on-campus job such as the Sierra Design Center, Sierra Sunrise Café, or the Sierra Snack Shop.  Students will be responsible for appropriate attire, arriving on time, completing a time card, and completing an above average performance review.  While students are participating in an on-campus job, they will also be reviewing Career/Job oriented curriculum. This may focus on job retention, interviewing skills, self-advocacy skills, and self-reflection.

Internships/Work Experiences

After the completion of these activities, usually by 11th-12th grade, students will be given the opportunity to participate in an off campus Internship.  This will be at a work place in the San Diego Community that fits the students’ interest.  This will allow the students to understand/practice working in a real-life job/career.   They are placed at a variety of different work sights including Scripps Ranch Library, Posies Flower Shop, First Choice Business Brokers, Mission Trails Regional Park, Petco, Old Navy, Marshalls, Executive Café, and Gardening!

Weekly Newsletter

Newsletter

Be Your Best

As part of our program at Sierra Academy, we always encourage students to make healthy and positive choices both in school and at home.  Startign this year, students will be rewarded at the end of each month if they send in the completed “Be Your Best” flyer.  It asks that all students complete a minimum of three hours of exercise a month at home.  Some examples of making healthy choices could be waling your dog, participating in extracurricular sports, going to the gym, or going for a walk.  If you need ideas or suggestions, please contact our physical therapist, Dr. Sharon Criger, or our occupational therapist, Dr. Erin Schwier.

Be Your Best Form

School Store:

The school store is now open!  We will open the Sierra School Store during lunch on Tuesdays starting from September 9th.  We just stocked up the store with a variety of new items including movie passes, gift cards, toys, games, and puzzles.  Students on blue and gold level will have an opportunity to purchase items using their Sierra dollars every Tuesday.

Sierra Snack Shop:

Please remember the Sierra Snack Shop is now open every Wednesday from 10:15-10:45. This business is student run by our ACT students.  Students can write a check and use their Sierra Dollars to purchase items from the shop.  We sell quesadillas, nachos, snacks, string cheese, Gogurts and drinks.  In order to purchase items at the snack shop, students must be on blue level!

Sierra Sunrise Cafe:

The Sunrise café will be open every morning for students to purchase healthy breakfast items.   This is also a student run business and all Life Skills students can apply for this job.  It will be open from 8:15-8:50.  This is a cash only business, so students cannot use their Sierra dollars to purchase items from the café.

Pizza Sales:

As part of an ongoing fundraiser for our sports program, we will continue to have weekly pizza sales for lunch on Thursdays.  Students must order their pizza with Ms. Donna by Wednesday so we know how many pizzas to order.  Pizza slices cost $2.00 each and students can pay weekly or pre-pay for pizza in advance with Ms. Donna.