Da Vinci Academy

School Type: Gifted & Talented

Founded: 2000

Ages/Grades: Pre-K to 8

School Setting: Located just west of Randall Rd, a major north-south artery connecting several towns in the Fox Valley suburban area. The school is 10-15 minutes from St. Charles/Geneva to the south, and 10 minutes from I-90 to the North.

School Size: 130

Classroom Size: 16 maximum for grades 1-8; 14 max in K; 12 max in Pre-K

Student/Teacher Ratio: 8:1

Tuition: 2009-10: $15,225 for grades 1-8; $13,000 for K; $12,00 for Pre-K

Financial Aid: Need-based through SSS

Curriculum:

An accelerated curriculum with each grade level built to be at least one-year ahead of public schools. In addition to providing more advanced material, the teachers differentiate instruction and assignments to meet the needs of the students, who may be working at different levels or have different learning styles. The program challenges students to cover material in-depth with lots of hands-on projects and group collaboration.

Support Services: There is no support staff or counselor, but the teachers do as much as possible to accomodate the needs of our students. Some families receive services outside of school.

Camp Programs: Yes

After School Programs: Yes

Computer Capabilities:

Computer lab with 18 desktop computers, over 30 laptops available to all students, and wireless internet in the building.

School Championships:

Chess team regularly wins or places in regional and state level tournaments. Middle school math team and Lego robotics teams compete in regional and state level events. Students have received top honors in national level competitions in math, language arts, and Spanish.

School Clubs:

Chess, math, robotics

Uniform Guidelines: Uniforms are worn Monday-Thursday, consisting of a uniform shirt (5-6 approved colors with the school logo) and dark or khaki pants/shorts. On Fridays, students may wear school-appropriate clothes from home.

Admissions Requirements:

Application form, parent questionnaire, IQ testing for grades 1-8, teacher recommendation, academic records, full-day visit

Mission Statement: Da Vinci Academy provides intellectually gifted and talented students a unique educational community that develops a student's strengths, interests and potential. We offer a challenging curriculum focusing on the learning process, personal growth and self-direction enabling students to become productive leaders in an ever changing society.

Philosophy/Belief Statement:

We aspire to be an extraordinary school for gifted and talented students.

In the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom we strive to make Da Vinci Academy a unique learning community through innovative programming. This includes a challenging curriculum, flexible teaching strategies, and experiential learning with emphasis on the development and growth of the whole child.

At the heart of the Da Vinci Academy program are the children. They are supported by dedicated professionals who will continue to encourage creativity, promote positive risk taking, and acknowledge and support individual learning styles. We will provide dynamic and effective instruction within a nurturing environment.

Embedded in the Da Vinci community are the attributes of respect, acceptance and cooperation. We will continue to seek a diverse community of learners supported by parents who embrace the mission of the school.

School History: Da Vinci Academy was founded in 2000 by a visionary benefactor and a core group of teachers and parents who wanted to build a school that could meet the intellectual, social, and emotional needs of gifted students. The vision was to create a challenging yet nurturing learning environment where gifted students could develop their strengths and reach their full potential. About sixty students enrolled the first year, and the school has since grown to approximately 130 students. The founder is still a parent and board member, and three teachers who helped start the program are still at the school. The program was designed to balance the arts, language, math, and science in a well-rounded curriculum that would inspire students to be passionate about learning. The curriculum covers topics in depth, students are challenged to make connections across subject areas, and there are many hands-on projects that allow students to demonstrate their knowledge. The other core elements of the program are small classes, experienced teachers who understand gifted learners and differentiate their teaching to meet students' needs, and the benefits of gifted students working together every day. The 2009-10 school year marks Da Vinci Academy's 10th Anniversary, which is a milestone opportunity to reflect on how far the school has come and what lies ahead in the future. Da Vinci Academy has established itself as an innovative school where intellectually gifted students can be challenged and feel at home. The future is bright as the school explores ways to expand its size and program while staying true to its mission.