Valley Preparatory Academy

The mission of Valley Preparatory Academy Charter School is to be a safe and healthy environment providing opportunity for all students to become lifelong learners through excellence in character development, academic skills, and physical fitness.

Valley Preparatory Academy Charter School is a public K-8 educational program with open enrollment providing a safe learning environment where students can develop academic and character excellence. Our mission is for all students to become self-motivated, lifelong learners by providing high academic and ethical standards. We believe when character development is taught alongside state aligned curriculum, students become happy, productive, healthy members of our community.

Valley Prep Academy offers a challenging curriculum to ensure that students achieve academic proficiency in core subjects. To achieve these educational goals, students must agree to the following expected school-wide learning objectives such as:

• Commitment to punctuality and responsibility for assignments
• Commitment to creating a positive future for themselves with attainable goals
• Commitment to self-discipline and strong personal character
• Commitment to making healthy choices in nutrition, fitness, and hygiene
• Commitment to serving others in their community

In August 2004, Valley Prep Academy opened as an independent study program in a small office location. However, interest began to grow with community members for a larger site-based program. The location was moved to a residential leased facility two blocks away. After the Fresno Unified School District renewed Valley Prep's charter petition in 2007, the school operated as a site-based/independent study hybrid program. Today we serve about 240 students at our site and 20 independent study students.

The school's location represents a range of Fresno's cultural diversity and backgrounds. Staff and students demonstrate a commitment to academic, as well as, character excellence. The school has a peaceful school culture that is enjoyed by students, parents, staff members and all who visit the campus.

To achieve educational goals, each student must agree to the above stated school-wide expectations and sign the student handbook.

Our curriculum has grown to include state-standardized textbooks and the PASS-Cyber High online courses program for high school students (funded through Migrant Education and California State Department of Education). Additionally, our curriculum has expanded to include not only health and wellness through physical education and sports, but through development of our character education program. Each month, students participate in character development studies, journals, assemblies, field trips, and service learning projects.