While this may vary by campus, a typical day for a student at a NCPA campus will be similar to the one described below.
Each Day Begins with Personal Goal Setting
Our students are taught the importance of setting goals and recognizing target objectives. Upon arrival each student writes out their ten goals – five are academic and five are personal – along with the daily affirmation. The affirmation is designed to ensure a positive mental attitude by keep the student’s self talk very upbeat. This helps promote and encourage the continuation of a positive learning environment and experience. Before starting their academic courses each student will spend time on the success strategies assigned to them by their mentor. These may include but are not limited to SAT/ACT Prep, Speed Reading Drills, Writing Drills, etc.
Freedom and Skills to Manage Core Curriculum
Next, students begin one of their three courses. Students are taught time management skills and given the freedom to organize their day to meet their personal learning style. Typically, they are working on two to three classes plus math. They spend ninety minutes on each course. Once the day’s required lessons have been completed, students are free to work ahead. After their ninety minute block is complete, students move on to the next course. Each week the student sends in their work to their personal mentor who will grade their lessons. When the student receives their work back they will complete all corrections and the next five lessons in each of their courses.
Becoming Your Best Over Lunch
At lunch, students gather to eat and read or listen to motivational and inspirational books and videos, allowing them to work on the Whole Child. Material covered include, “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, “The Tipping Point”, Think and Grow Rich”, Success Strategies” to name a few. Students are lead in facilitated discussions and implementation strategies are mapped out and encouraged.
Afternoons for Communication Skills and Service Projects
Twice a month, students participate in our speech class specifically designed to help them become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience. Our meetings run an hour and a half and participants practice and learn skills by filling a meeting role ranging from giving a prepared speech or an impromptu one to serving as timer, evaluator or grammarian.
All campuses are working on a community service project of their choice. Students are encouraged to research and decide on the service project that speaks to them as a group. One of our school raised $94.000.00 for Down syndrome research by delivering presentations to various community service clubs and collecting donations for Stanford University’s research department.
At the end of each day, students present their day’s work to their Learning Coach who verifies that it is finished. Once the student has completed their work for the day they are ready to leave, homework free!