About the Leading Edge Academy
The Leading Edge Academy was founded in 1993 and has earned a reputation for academic excellence, maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment and having a faculty of outstanding teachers. Our cross-curricular, three-year program links subjects together for a well-rounded and connected educational experience. Our teachers go above and beyond to offer an exciting curriculum that involves students in hands-on learning experiences that encourage creativity and exploration.
The Leading Edge Academy holds its students to high standards in the areas of academic achievement, attendance and behavior. We expect our students to work to the best of their ability. Families contribute 30 hours of service each year and commit to ongoing support and development of their student's academic portfolio. In return, students leave our program well-equipped with pride, confidence, responsibility, knowledge and skills needed to excel beyond the middle school environment.
Academic Standards: High academic standards in alignment with the California state and national standards are expected in all courses. Students attend 7 classes per day (6 classes in 6th grade). Students will have as much as two hours of homework each night.
Small Class Size: Class size averages 28 to1. After a transitional year in the 6th grade, students have the same teachers for their remaining two years in the program. Our small program size offers the opportunity to build strong academic relationships in which students can thrive.
Community Service and Job-Shadowing: Our 6th and 7th grade students perform community service, sometimes cleaning parks, planting trees or supporting local charity drives. Our 8th grade students participate in a job shadow program.
Family Involvement: Parents in the Leading Edge Academy agree to volunteer 30 hours of service per school year.
Emphasis on Technology: Students are trained in the following programs and equipment: Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, digital movie production, digital arts, web page design using HTML, desktop publishing using MS Publisher, Internet safety, ethics, navigation and research skills, keyboarding, using peripherals to create or enhance presentations and web pages, and presentation skills using portable computers and LCD projectors. Students also use a Learning Management System to communicate and post work online, Google Apps to collaborate with other students from any location and Gmail accounts to transfer work from home to school. At the end of three years, students take a Microsoft Proficiency Core Certification Test. Since the test has first been administered, Leading Edge students have averaged an 81% passing rate. In addition, students may take the Microsoft Professional Lifetime Certification. On this test, Leading Edge students have averaged a 91% passing rate.
Individualized Assessment: Leading Edge students document their academic growth in 6th, 7th and 8th grade by developing an ongoing content portfolio. As part of their promotion criteria, students make presentations of these portfolios in which they demonstrate they have met the Leading Edge Requirements and are ready to attend high school.
Expanded Physical Fitness Program: Students attend Natomas Racquet Club on Fridays for four week sessions. They rotate through classes such as tennis, swimming, cycling, circuit training, racquetball, and self defense. In addition, students attend off campus mini-units such as orienteering, bowling or rock climbing.
After School Sports: The Leading Edge Academy is part of the Twin Rivers Athletic League and compete in boy's and girl's basketball, soccer, wrestling and track, as well as girl's volleyball. Home games are played in our new gymnasium.
Expressions Class: Students attend one period of Expressions class every day as part of the LE curriculum. Expressions develops leadership skills, promotes team building, and cultural literacy through the arts.
To learn more about the Leading Edge Academy, read our Mission and Vision Statements.