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Preschool through 5
Don Juan Avila Elementary is one of four
public elementary schools in Aliso Viejo.
Don Juan Avila began service to the community
on the cusp of the New Millennium, in
September 2000. Our campus is located
on Wood Canyon Drive, on a bluff which
has a magnificent view of Saddleback Mountain
and the cascading valley below. Our unique
staff of professional educators provides
a comprehensive and balanced education
program rooted in the best and latest
instructional technologies and practices.
The primary
thrust of our school program is aimed at ensuring that every student
masters a solid educational foundation of basic skills within each
subject area, and is able to confidently apply these skills in both
academic and non-academic situations. We are dedicated to creating
a nurturing and caring atmosphere to ensure that every child has
the opportunity to learn to think critically and creatively, to
develop a deep love for learning, and to gain both a local and global
perspective.
Our Capistrano
Objectives for Reaching Excellence (CORE) content and performance
standards and California state frameworks provide the basic foundation
for learning at Don Juan Avila. However, in addition to mastering
and applying the basic skills, we have set literacy as the primary
goal for each student. Our comprehensive language arts program is
integrated throughout all subject areas. Small group instruction
in the primary grades helps our students to attain skills in phonemic
awareness, phonics, cueing systems, reading strategies and comprehension,
to become self-assured, and capable readers. An emphasis on reading,
writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking and problem solving
skills assists our students with the ability to communicate their
knowledge to others in a confident and meaningful manner.
Writing is
a natural and integral component of the school experience. The Six
Traits Analytical Writing Assessment is integrated throughout the
curriculum. This tool enables Don Juan Avila teachers to consistently
analyze each child’s progression as a writer and share this
valuable information with parents.
All students
at Don Juan Avila are exposed to a balanced mathematics curriculum
based on state guidelines and our own CORE standards. By employing
a balance of basic skills and critical problem solving instruction,
our teachers help our students to meet and exceed expected grade
level performance standards.
Technology
integration is also utilized as an important learning tool at Don
Juan Avila Elementary. For publishing, communicating and research,
each classroom is equipped with a fiber optics delivery system,
networking all classrooms to a central broadcast distribution point
in our Media Center. This technology enables all classes to benefit
from shared school-wide video broadcasts and other communications.
Each classroom contains at least two computer stations. In addition,
32 multimedia stations are housed in our computer lab.
The Don Juan
Avila campus houses both a K-5 elementary school and a separate
6-8 grade middle school. This unusual design provides unique and
exciting opportunities for both students and staff. Collaborative
educational projects allow elementary students to benefit from middle
school tutors and mentors. As important, classroom visitations and
special programs are available at the middle school for our elementary-age
students.
Lastly, teachers
and administrators at Don Juan Avila encourage strong parental involvement
in student education. The staff and principal focus on creating
a supportive bridge between the local community, home and school.
Every student can learn. At Don Juan Avila Elementary School, We
Expect Excellence!
- Best
instructional practices
- Ongoing staff development
- Positive Peace Plan
- Meet the Masters art program
- Fully-equipped iMac computer lab
- Tutorial and mentor projects with Don Juan Avila Middle
School
- Community partnerships
- Parental involvement
- Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
- PTA-sponsored events
- Awards of Excellence
- Student of the Day
- YMCA day care program
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