The teachers at Valley View are fully credentialed in the Differentiated Instruction methodology. Often referred to as an educational philosophy, differentiated instruction is viewed as a proactive approach to instruction. The model of differentiated instruction requires teachers to tailor their instruction and adjust the curriculum to students’ needs rather than expecting students to modify themselves to fit the curriculum. Valley View teachers are committed to this approach because we believe that who we teach shapes how we teach, because who the students are shapes how they learn.
Differentiated Instruction involves providing students with different avenues to acquiring content, to processing, constructing, or making sense of ideas and to developing teaching materials so that all students within a classroom can learn effectively, regardless of differences in ability.
Differentiation stems from beliefs about differences among learners, how they learn, learning preferences and individual interests. Research indicates that many of the emotional or social difficulties gifted students experience disappear when their educational climates are adapted to their level and pace of learning. Differentiation in education can also include how a student shows that they have mastery of a concept. This could be through a research papers, role play, podcasts, diagrams, posters, etc. The key is finding out how your students learn and displaying their learning in a way that meets their specific needs.
Kindergarten | Grades 1-2 | Grades 3-8 |
ES – Exceeds standard MS – Meets standard AS – Approaching standard NS – Needs support |
E – Excellent S – Satisfactory N – Needs Improvement |
A – Superior B – Above average C – Average D – Below average F – Failure |
Each teacher is responsible to provide parents with an ongoing report of the student’s progress. Parents are welcome to discuss a child’s progress with a teacher at any time.
The Measure of Academic Progress (MAP), is a computerized adaptive test which helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child’s academic growth. Given three times each year (autumn, winter, and spring), students from kindergarten through eighth grade are includeded in the MAP Assessments.
MAP® Growth™ measures what students know and informs what they a re ready to learn next. By dynamically adjusting to each student’s performance, MAP Growth creates a personalized assessment experience that accurately measures performance—whether a student performs on, above, or below grade level. Timely, easy-to-use reports help teachers teach, students learn, and administrators lead.
Valley View hosts an Awards Assembly at the end of each semester to recognize the student’s accomplishments. Along with certificates for high achievements in each subject, students are also acknowledged for perfect attendance and citizenship. At the 2nd semester awards assembly, trophies are awarded to students in grades 3 – 8 for achieving placement on the High Honor Roll and Academic Excellence list.
Honors | 3.0 – 3.4 GPA |
Principal’s List | 3.5 – 3.9 GPA |
Academic Excellence | 4.0 GPA |