Education Spotlight 2021

Let’s face it, this year has been anything but normal. Although this school year looks different than others, if you could walk onto St. Anne’s campus in Laguna Niguel, you would likely hear students practicing musical instruments or singing at weekly Mass being livestreamed into their classrooms. You might witness eighth-grade students sitting outside, engrossed in their laptops designing their own websites in their Navigating Our World class, second-graders discovering their ancestry by dressing in period costume for Ellis Island Day, or preschool students exploring together in their outdoor classroom. In previous years, you might see a bus in the parking lot loading up fifth-grade students for a field studies trip to Astro Camp, but this year you might see parents filling their cars with donated supplies for a campus ministry project.

This year, St. Anne School has reimagined how it provides students with a learning experience that continues to offer opportunities for exploration and discovery. With strict safety protocols in place, the school has offered in-person instruction since late August, with an online option, Knights Live!, for students who feel more comfortable learning from home.

The devoted teachers at St. Anne are trained in differentiated instruction, using strategies that stimulate deeper thinking and discussion with students. Additionally, a dedicated student support team ensures the educational and emotional needs of each student are met. Rigorous core academics are enriched by a variety of elective classes. Next school year, St. Anne students can continue discovering their passions through the resumption of after-school programs such as an award-winning show choir, after-school sports, instrumental music classes, a robust performing arts program, Chess, and Future Problem Solvers.

Whether educating students online or in-person, St. Anne School provides an education where students can explore their gifts, discover their passions, and envision their future.

Please join us for a virtual Admissions Open House on January 21, 2021, from 9 to 11 a.m. Registration is required. Visit www.st-anne.org/open-house

St. Anne School
32451 Bear Brand Road
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
www.st-anne.org

The Foundations program methodology is to move past the traditional concept of simply managing the symptoms of learning disabilities and, instead, address the root cause of these challenges. Based on the concept of neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to change, heal, and grow in response to targeted training), each day, students perform cognitive exercises that have been scientifically proven to strengthen weak cognitive capabilities. In other words, the goal of Foundations is to transform the brain, establishing capabilities that did not exist and, thus, begin to instill a newfound confidence and a love of learning. By strengthening cognitive capacities, students are able to work through tasks which were once incredibly challenging for them. In addition to its scientific approach to cognitive improvement, Foundations includes state-certified reading and mathematics programs. When combined with the cognitive exercises, these programs have helped many students achieve dramatic improvement in reading, writing, and math.

INDIVIDUALIZED PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES INCLUSION IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
For the 2021-2022 school year, Foundations will have two multi-grade Elementary classes, one Junior High class, and one High School class. Each classroom will have a student-teacher ratio of 4:1. Each student is assessed and works at a pace and level that is appropriate for his or her particular needs. In order to ensure that students are connected socially to others in their peer group, Foundations is located on the campus of a large private school, which allows students to attend recess, lunch, and enrichment/elective classes (P.E., art, music, etc.) with mainstream students in their grade. They also have the opportunity to play on sports teams and to participate in extra-curricular school activities offered at the partner school, such as choir, dance, cheer, clubs, etc. High School students are offered the option to pursue a High School Diploma, or to participate in a Certificate of Completion program.

OUR PARTNER SCHOOL
Foundations is located on the San Juan Capistrano campus of the prestigious Fairmont Schools. The beautiful campus, spanning 66,000 square feet, includes two educational wings full of classroom space, playgrounds, gymnasium, a music room, science labs, and more.

Foundations Cognitive Schools
26333 Oso Road
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949.482.0383 • foundationscognitive.org

Conveniently located on the South end of San Clemente, Our Savior’s Lutheran School (OSLS) is a developmental, play-based, Reggio- inspired, Christian Preschool and Infant Center. Our Savior’s is a close-knit family that understands and values exceptional education, equipping children to be positive members of their community.

OSLS is committed to excellence through a creative and energizing curriculum, with a strong social, emotional, and Christ-centered foundation. Curriculum is modeled around Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. The school’s highly qualified and inspirational staff provide a quality educational experience. All OSLS families receive constant communication regarding their child’s growth, supported by assessments and progress reports along with parent-teacher conferences. This partnership facilitates an extension of the child’s day into the home and bridges the learning opportunities both at school and beyond.

Our Savior’s Lutheran School provides a unique opportunity for children to be engaged in a developmentally appropriate environment with a childcentered approach. The preschool team designs their curriculum and lesson plans starting with the California Preschool Learning Foundations, customizing instruction based on the child’s individualized goals and needs. These developmentally appropriate practices and classroom experiences intentionally foster exposure to the world around the child and capture the many moments of curiosity. Throughout the day, OSLS teachers guide student learning individually and in groups to explain, educate, and empower the children, encouraging them to ask questions and explore their learning environment. They understand that every child develops at their own pace while being committed to continuous growth and excellence in all levels of early childhood education. With a long-term education in mind, OSLS’s most important goal is to foster and encourage a love of learning.

Infants, 3 to 24 months, are cared for by highly trained staff. They enjoy their own grassy space with a shade tree and ocean breeze. The teachers take them for walks around the campus in our four-seat strollers.

To find out more about Our Savior’s Lutheran Preschool and Infant Center, please call the school at 949.492.6165 or email the Director, Joan Lundbohm, at (j.lundbohm@oursaviorsschoolinet)

Our Savior’s Lutheran School
200 Avenida San Pablo
San Clemente, CA 92672
949.492.6165 • OurSaviorsSchool.net

Mathnasium Learning Centers’ slogan is simple: “We make math make sense!” Whether your child starts out far behind or is ahead in math, Mathnasium helps students advance because they know that any child can be successful in math—it is a matter of teaching it in a way that makes sense to them.

The experienced math tutors utilize proprietary teaching materials and techniques, The Mathnasium Method™. This instructional approach goes beyond traditional math tutoring to develop an understanding and build a love for math. Students are evaluated with a written and assessment, unique to Mathnasium, to to deliver a customized learning plan. Based on the results, Mathnasium develops an individually tailored program designed to address each student’s specific needs and close any educational gaps they may have so they can jump ahead and be ready for advanced math challenges.

Students engage with their instructors in a unique combination of mental, verbal, visual, tactile, and written exercises. Basic math concepts and skills are specifically designed to help students build number sense. Mathnasium’s proven technique does more than just meet state math standards; it surpasses the recommendations of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Common Core State Standards.

Instructors also help students understand their homework as part of each session and can prepare your child for school tests, as well as standardized tests such as the California High School Exit Exam, SAT, ACT and ISEE.

If math is a problem, Mathnasium can solve it. At Mathnasium, students grow more excited and confident about math—and their grades reflect that. For students who already excel in math, the sky’s the limit. All students will discover that doors open to them by being proficient in math and how math can be applied to interesting areas such as computer science, biology, and psychology.

By giving your child a firm foundation—and confidence—in math, Mathnasium can unlock the potential for continued educational success in the future.

Mathnasium
Dana Point • 949-240-6284 • Mathnasium.com/danapoint
Ladera Ranch • 949-429-3020 • Mathnasium.com/laderaranch
Laguna Niguel • 949-360-6284 • Mathnasium.com/lagunaniguel
San Clemente • 949-481-6284 • Mathnasium.com/sanclemente