Learning @ IVA High

An Intellectual Virtues education combines rigorous engagement of academic subjects with an emphasis on cultivating the intellectual character traits of a lifelong learner, such as curiosity, intellectual courage, humility, open-mindedness, and intellectual tenacity. Intellectual virtues are the personal qualities of a good thinker or learner and they equip students to live well in an ever-changing, ever-challenging world.

Our highly qualified teachers thoughtfully provide opportunities to practice the intellectual virtues in each of our rigorous courses, challenging students to deeply engage with and reflect upon their own learning processes. As Jason Baehr, researcher in the field of Intellectual Virtues, said in a recent article, our school’s approach concerns itself with who our students are becoming as people, but especially with how they think and how they learn and what they care about when it comes to values like truth, knowledge, evidence, and accuracy.

Following the findings of such thinkers as Paolo Friere and more recently Jal Mehta and Sarah Fine in In Search of Deeper Learning, this model is perhaps most important for populations that are historically underserved. IVA High brings this essential education to all students of the greater Long Beach area without financial barriers, empowering learners to impact their communities while developing a deeper understanding of themselves, academics, and the world. 

In his book, The Coddling of the American Mind, New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Haidt, urges “prestigious universities” to “admit more students who have attended schools that teach the intellectual virtues.” IVA High’s focus on the intellectual virtues is a truly preparatory curriculum: we foster student character to have the courage to ask questions, work collaboratively, and embrace struggle, essential skills that reach far beyond testing data.

Aligned with California State Standards, our curriculum ensures that IVA High graduates are prepared for college and a career of their choosing. We offer the opportunity to earn tuition-free college credits through dual enrollment with Long Beach Community College, as well as Advanced Placement and College Preparatory courses that develop skills that both colleges and employers seek.

Juniors and seniors at IVA High take a course called College, Career, and Life which emphasizes the skills needed to succeed alongside practical needs such as building a resume, making connections and the application process. We have a 96% success rate of supporting students to receive offers into one of their top 3 colleges.

We also provide every student at IVA High with access to a paid internship, providing the experience and social capital to help students define and grow their career interests. Past internships have taken place throughout Long Beach in fields such as city government, law offices, trade and port, transportation, marketing, sales and marine biology.

IVA High is accredited by WASC, affirming our longstanding commitment to excellence and high standards for all students. 

Students' wisdom, wonders and needs are at the center of our school team's decision making process.

Our intentionally small school creates the perfect setting to get to know each of our students on a personal level. IVA High’s caring staff build healthy, trusting relationships that help them to know each learner's background, passions and goals, enabling instruction and advising to be tailored and personalized. 

Our learners actively participate in their learning and their community. They are given voice and choice in the process and are given space to co-create the learning experience with us. IVA’s highly qualified teachers utilize collaboration and a variety of research-backed instructional approaches: 

• Creating a “Culture of Thinking” - Teachers and students alike are free and encouraged to wonder, ask questions, and pursue their curiosities. Moreover, students respond to and further develop what others in the group have said, requiring knowledge that is accurate and relevant to the issue under discussion. This will give students daily opportunities to “practice” intellectual virtues as they master standards‐based core content. 
   
• Socratic Dialogue - A spontaneous but structured “Q&A” approach to instruction is an effective way of getting students to introspect and discover knowledge for themselves.
    
• Focused Direct Instruction - This focused approach to direct instruction is an important and powerful means of connecting students with important knowledge. It builds their foundation for curiosity and wonder across all disciplines. This practice also hones note‐taking, recall and response skills of students as they develop as thinkers and learners.

IVA High is committed to the worthwhile pursuits of athletics, music, art, theater, science and extra-curricular programs for all students. We believe you do not have to be an athlete to play sports, a professional artist to produce art, or be an inspiring engineer to take robotics. We find value in the intrinsic joy of these pursuits and seek to help students cultivate multiple interests and skills.

IVA High students have numerous opportunities to participate and serve as leaders. We partner with community organizations and skilled coaches, instructors and parent volunteers to provide a rotating selection of clubs and extracurricular activities. Student favorites include creative writing, debate, Gender Sexuality Alliance club, robotics, basketball, weightlifting and table tennis.

Students have the autonomy to propose new clubs by submitting a club request form–we welcome and create new clubs all the time.