EDISON QUOTE: “Our schools are not teaching students to think. It is astonishing how many young people
have difficulty in putting their brains definitely and systematically to work...”
<<A School Within A School>>
CURRICULUM
Edison Academy specializes in instructing students who are average to above average but who learn differently. These students often fall through the cracks in the public school system. The social, emotional well being of the students is addressed with classroom meetings and discussions that go beyond academics to provide a forum for peer acknowledgement and problem solving.
Admission to the program is based on academic needs alone and does not serve students who are emotionally disturbed or have conduct disorders. Edison Academy strives to halt the downward spiral that occurs when students are not successful at learning. The frustration with learning and the anxiety that accompanies it are reduced in a relaxed, nurturing, and natural learning environment. Students gradually gain independence and confidence in their abilities and are encouraged to work towards becoming successful students.
The ideal teacher-student ratio makes possible individualized instruction in reading, writing and math. During the school day, learning also occurs in small groups and as a single group involving the whole class. Students benefit from this multi-faceted approach to learning. Students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD benefit from the program where instruction is paced to accommodate different rates of learning. The academic skills are reinforced by strategies which enable the student to learn the process by which a task may be successfully accomplished. Learning how to learn, how to prepare for tests, how to take a test, how to enhance memory skills, how to work cooperatively and how to problem-solve are some of the skills that are learned on a daily basis. Study skills are emphasized, in addition to learning how to take notes, research a topic and organize information. The executive functions or self-regulatory skills are incorporated throughout the school day. Time management, goal setting, planning, organizing, prioritizing, focusing and shifting focus and regulating output are skills that are integrated into the academic curriculum. Computers, internet resources and other technologies are also integrated into the typical school day.
The students are taught using multiple modalities. The visual, auditory, and kinesthetic modalities are used to reinforce concepts and acquire new information. Hands-on activities are an integral part of the curriculum. Self-advocacy is another area that is of special importance to students in the Edison Academy so that they can develop self-confidence and self-esteem.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Students at the Edison Academy learn that they are responsible for their own work and behavior. Parents get a weekly report to inform them of student behavior and learning. With the help of a reward system, students are able to earn points for daily work ethic, turning in homework, cooperating, helping others, and respecting rules and one another. Students earn points that may be redeemed for assembly once a week, for school store and for field trips. Assemblies are educational, entertaining and culturally enriching. Field trips usually enhance a learning unit. All students are precisely informed regarding expectations for learning and behavior. At Edison Academy students realize the importance of attitude and enthusiasm as it relates to learning and life in general. They learn goal setting, planning, independence and organization so that learning is its own reward.
DIRECTOR
Daulat (Dolly) Peponides has been practicing educational therapy at Dynamic Learning since 1989. Linda Wulle was her mentor and friend and they worked together for about two decades. Dolly received a Master of Education degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She then obtained a Professional Certificate in Educational Therapy from the University of California, San Diego Extension Program. She is a professional member of the Association of Educational Therapists. Dolly Peponides is recognized by professionals in the community for her dedication to excellence in education. As Director of the Edison Academy, she is committed to fulfilling Linda’s mission - where academic success is within the grasp of every student.
STAFF
Edison teachers have Master’s degrees in Special Education. They are regularly informed about state-of-the-art techniques, knowledge and advancements in the field of learning disabilities. They work closely with professionals in related fields such as speech and language therapy, counseling, pediatrics, psychology, and psychiatry. In addition to the regular teaching staff, the students work with art, music and physical education teachers once a week.
STUDENTS
Edison Academy is designed specifically to meet the needs of average to above average students who have mild to moderate learning disabilities. It has two classes, grades 3 through 5 and grades 6 through 8 on the campus of Rancho Encinitas Academy. Each class has a teacher and full-time teacher’s assistant with a maximum number of 15 students in each class. The teacher-student ratio is ideal for individualized instruction. Students in these classes are able to succeed and proceed to high school and beyond, with the strategies and skills they have acquired while at the Edison Academy.
TUITION
Yearly tuition at Edison Academy is $16,000 for students from grade 3 through grade 8. A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is required to hold a student's place for the coming year, with the balance paid by July 1st. Rancho Encinitas Academy participates in the FACTS Tuition Management program. For an annual per family fee of $41, the FACTS service will deduct your tuition (minus down payment) directly from your bank account in monthly installments. FACTS also accepts credit card payments for an additional processing fee. Parents participating in the FACTS program may check the status of their account on the web.
NOTE: In order to access My FACTS Account, you will need the information on the confirmation letter, which FACTS sent to you when your account was established.
Fees not included in the yearly tuition are a Materials / Technology fee of $350 per student as well as costs incurred through field trips and overnight trips. Overnight trips for Grade 5 through Grade 8 occur twice a year and involve money for food and lodging.
