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QUESTIONS TO ASK
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SUNSET MESA SCHOOLS' ANSWERS
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| 1. How
do I know if this school is a match for my child
and my family? |
You
need to know your child, know yourself, and know
the school.
Some key facts about Sunset Mesa can help you
decide your answer to this question. Two
of the traditional values practiced at Sunset
Mesa are respect for authority and willingness
to cooperate with friends. These combine
to create an orderly learning environment that
is also collegial and enjoyable.
Academics at Sunset Mesa are rigorous. Although
expectations are age-appropriate, pacing of work
is quick, organization is necessary, and a willingness
to work is required.
Families must be willing to invest their time
in order to maximize the opportunities at Sunset
Mesa. Students must devote appropriate
amounts of time for study. Parents help
their children by assisting with organization
and planning of work, by helping with projects,
by volunteering for special events, by attending
programs and activities, and by participating
in meetings and conferences.
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| 2.
What is the maximum class size for each grade
level? This
is different from “student:faculty ratios” that
may include all school staff. |
| Preschool |
16 with one teacher and one assistant |
| Kindergarten |
16 with one teacher and a shared assistant |
| Prefirst |
10 |
| Grade 1 |
16 |
| Grade 2 |
17 |
| Grades 3, 4, and 5 |
19 |
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3. What is the
school’s expectation for students’ behavior
and how is discipline implemented? |
The
school makes every effort to maintain a standard
of respect, kindness, morality and honesty. The
basic method of accomplishing this is by creating
a positive learning environment in which students
are respectful of authority and responsible for
their actions.
The Sunset Mesa discipline philosophy encourages
self-respect, self-discipline, cooperation, good
behavior, and development of problem-solving
skills.
All staff members who work directly with children
are required to complete the assigned reading and
attend trainings on Positive Discipline (Nelsen,
2007). |
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4. How do I know my child will
be physically and emotionally safe? |
The preschool campus has a single building with
a walled playground and entry points which are
only unlocked at dismissal and arrival times.
The K-5 campus is fenced with limited entry
points.
Sunset Mesa is a small community where “unknown” persons
are the exception. These people are identified
and helped when they enter.
Students are dismissed directly from a teacher
to a parent or someone authorized by a parent.
Children are always supervised.
Adults model and teach that people should respect
and care for one another. Administrators
and faculty devote significant time and energy
to developing a sense of community and friendship
among students; as a result, students can feel
physically and emotionally safe among their peers. |
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5. What sets your school’s
use of curriculum apart from that of other schools? |
High quality curriculum is chosen to provide
foundational skills as well as opportunities
for teachers to challenge students.
The school makes a significant investment in
curriculum training for teachers.
Teachers and administrators work diligently
to have a continuity of curricular implementation
from pre-school through fifth grade.
K-5 faculty have weekly grade level meetings
with administrators. A regular topic is
ensuring continuity of pacing and presentation
in each classroom.
Teachers provide classroom environments and
experiences that recognize and utilize each child’s
unique learning style through the theory of multiple
intelligences.
Most classes substantially complete their curricular
materials.
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| 6. How
is the curriculum enriched? |
Teachers provide multiple cross-curricular opportunities
for learning and emphasize higher-level thinking
skills.
Curriculum expectations, presentation, and pacing
target the average to high-end learner.
Weekly instruction by six full-time enrichment
specialists enhances students’ education
and provides a variety of avenues for children
to reach their full potential.
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| 7. How
can families be involved and informed? |
Parents
can join the Sunset Mesa Parent Association, an
organization designed by parents to support the
school in providing their children with a quality
education along with helping to foster a community
network for the school’s families.
Parents can volunteer in classrooms for special
projects, field trips, community events, and
to make special presentations in their fields
of expertise.
Opportunities for information include classroom
newsletters, teacher correspondence, curriculum
meetings, frequent student progress reports,
semi-annual parent-teacher conferences and additional
parent/teacher/administrator conferences.
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| 8. Does the school administer
standardized tests? What are the students’ scores? How
does the school use the test results? |
Sunset
Mesa uses the Stanford Achievement Test for grades
1-5. This test series provides
scores and analysis in comparison to students
nationwide.
The students’ scores at every grade level
are among the highest in the nation. Scores
by grade level in reading and math are published,
and families receive comprehensive information
on their child’s results each summer.
Test results have two broad uses at this school. First,
comparing Sunset Mesa students’ scores from
year to year against a national standard is one
tool for evaluating the effectiveness of curriculum
and instructional practices. Second, standardized
tests are one tool (among many) for assessing the
performance of individual students; this assessment
can indicate needs for particular focus, emphasis
or assistance for that child. |
| 9. How
can I be confident that my child will be ready
for middle school? |
For
several decades, most Sunset Mesa students have
been accepted at one or more of the independent
middle schools; these schools test and interview
extensively to insure that admitted students are “ready.”
Specific discussions with middle school
administrators and teachers indicate that
Sunset Mesa students are well-prepared
and successful in the various middle schools.
Study and organizational skills are practiced
and emphasized at all grade levels.
Foundational academic knowledge and skills are
emphasized at all grade levels.
Sunset Mesa students develop a healthy attitude
toward education that customarily makes them
eager to apply their abilities in the middle
school environment.
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| 10. What
is the financial cost? What fundraising does
your school do? |
SUNSET
MESA SCHOOLS TUITION INFORMATION
School
Year 2010-2011
Tuition
includes materials, activities fee, and gross
receipts tax. For returning students,
tuition deposits are due no later than May
10, 2010 or within two weeks after acceptance,
whichever is later. For new students,
the tuition deposit is due with the application
and application fee. The
balance of tuition can be paid in one of three
ways:
- Full payment
of the balance of tuition directly to the
school by July 9, 2010.
- Ten equal
monthly payments debited directly from your
bank account through the FACTS Payment Plan. Payments
will start in July. You may choose
to have the automatic bank payments processed
on the 5th or the 20th day
of each month.
- Ten automatic
equal monthly charges to your designated
credit card (MasterCard, Discover or American
Express). This option will include
a convenience fee of approximately 2.5%.
PRESCHOOL
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Program
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Yearly
Tuition
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Deposit
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Monthly
Payment
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2* full
days
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$4,700
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$500
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$420
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3** full
days
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$7,400
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$750
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$665
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5
half days
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$6,000
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$600
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$540
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4***day
combination
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$8,800
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$900
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$790
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5
full days
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$10,200
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$1,000
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$920
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*2
day schedule (Montessori only) – Full
Days: T, TH
**3
day schedule – Full Days: M, W, F
***4
day combination – Full Days: M, W, F
and Half Days T, TH
KINDERGARTEN
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Program
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Yearly
Tuition
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Deposit
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Monthly
Payment
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Kindergarten
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$10,200
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$1,000
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$920
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ELEMENTARY
GRADES PREFIRST - 5
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Program
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Yearly
Tuition
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Deposit
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Monthly
Payment
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Grades
Prefirst-5
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$11,200
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$1,100
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$1,010
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TUITION
INSURANCE
Grade
K $204
Grades
Prefirst-5 $224
SIBLING
DISCOUNT
The
oldest child in a family pays full tuition. Additional
children deduct the following amounts from their
total annual tuition.
Preschool
(3 and 4 year old programs) $300
Kindergarten $300
Prefirst-5 $400
APPLICATION
FEE
The
$100 fee is required with all applications
and is NONREFUNDABLE.
DEPOSIT
Required
for all returning students by
May 10, 2010 or within two weeks after acceptance,
whichever date is later. For new
students, the tuition deposit is due
with the application and application fee. ALL
DEPOSITS ARE NONREFUNDABLE.
DAYCARE
PROGRAM
$5.00
per hour (includes gross receipts tax)
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