Click to learn about enrollment for the 2010-2011 REACH Charter School academic year.
(Note: Please contact the REACH School director if you are interested in applying for the current school year. Limited openings are still available. Mid-year transfers are not accepted after March 11th)
Click to learn about our excellent 2009 STAR Test scores!
 Unity Retreat, September 09 |
 Llife in Medievel Europe by the 6/7 class |
The REACH Charter School - An Integrated Arts Program For Grades 4-8
Learning, thinking, problem solving and inquiry are stressed at REACH. The REACH instructional program is based upon three tenets that differentiate it from other academic programs. These are:
- REACH uses Project Based Learning as a systematic teaching method that engages students in developing knowledge and skills through an extended inquiry process structured around complex, authentic questions and carefully designed projects and tasks.
- Students are taught in integrated, thematic units that are frequently project-based, cross-disciplinary and based on a central concept, theme or essential question. An integrated, thematic curriculum teaches children the ability to make connections, to solve problems by looking at multiple perspectives, and to incorporate information from different fields. It is an ideal approach for designing projects and assignments that address the many different intelligences students possess.
- All students participate in a curriculum that includes social and emotional development and fosters acceptance of and respect for self and others. Educating the whole child means educating a child who is aware that all actions have a permanent impact on his/her surroundings. Community service and environmental awareness are an integral element of The REACH School curriculum.
In addition, REACH is committed to small class sizes, seeking to maintain an average class size of 22. Research has shown this has a positive impact on educational outcomes and is a means to nurture a collaborative classroom environment. Small class sizes allow for greater community cohesiveness through close collaboration with all core and enrichment course teachers and all other REACH community members.
REACH promotes the creative arts through enrichment classes including drama, music, drawing, gardening, chess, computer skills, and much more.
Parents: Download a PDF copy of the 2009-2010 REACH Parent Handbook here.
 A Tapestry of Art |
 Exploring a cell through clay |
 Making art a la Goldsworthy |
 Mosaic made of paper |
 Making biscuits on the 4/5 class field trip to the Gold Country |
|
.jpg) A Picasso study |
|
Donation from the Vivian Springford Charitable Trust!
We have exciting news of a major donation from the Vivian Springford Charitable Trust. Vivian Springford was a lifelong artist, and her trust is committed to honoring her work through arts education. The trust has provided $25,000 in continuing enrichment including an integrated performing arts unit in the Spring trimester.
Thanks to the Vivian Springford Charitable Trust, this spring, all REACH students will collaborate on a project that will provide students with hands-on experience in one of many avenues of performance.
Vivian Springford (1914-2003), was an American painter who started out as a portraitist and then came into the orbit of the New York School. Introduced to Asian art and philosophy by her friend, the poet Walasse Ting, Springford’s work was tempered by an Asian influence. Her 1960’s work was stained and painted on paper or canvas. Bold colors are enhanced and sometimes almost overcome by areas of black paint resembling Chinese calligraphy. Shortly prior to Springford’s death, Gary Snyder Gallery in New York featured the rediscovery of her work, which lay in a warehouse for years after the reclusive painter stopped exhibiting. Funds for the trust were generated by the posthumous sale of her artwork.
