Squaw Valley Academy

Summer School
Lake Tahoe, California


		Program Description Program Overview Visit Web Site Get Free Info See Photos

For More Information, Contact
Adrienne Forbes
Director of Admissions
Squaw Valley Academy
235 Squaw Valley Road
P.O. Box 2667
Olympic Valley, California 96146
530-583-9393 Ext. 14
Fax: 530-581-1111
http://www.sva.org/index.php?click1=summerter
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Type of Program: Academic enrichment and credit, outdoor athletics
Participants: Boys and girls entering grades 6 through 12
Enrollment: 65
Program Dates: Two 3-week semesters, June 21–July 31, 2009
Head of Program: Donald Rees, Cofounder and Headmaster

Location

Squaw Valley Academy (SVA) is nestled in a valley at the edge of the Tahoe National Forest in California, within 5 miles of Lake Tahoe and 2 miles from Squaw Valley USA, the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. At an elevation of 6,200 feet, the campus experiences a full range of seasonal climate and enjoys 300 days of sunshine each year. Temperatures range from 20°F in winter to 85°F in summer. Reno/Tahoe International Airport is the closest airport for arrivals and departures.
SVA is near Tahoe City and the historic town of Truckee, California. Sacramento is 100 miles to the west, Reno is 45 miles to the east, and San Francisco is about 200 miles west, or about 4 hours by car.

Background and Philosophy

Squaw Valley Academy was founded in 1978 to offer a combination of college-preparatory learning, outdoor education, and sports opportunities for sixth through twelfth graders. SVA has strong preparation for college and university as its central focus and also incorporates outdoor sports and activities as a catalyst for personal growth and achievement.
Each day, students participate in outdoor sports to foster real accomplishment and a strong student community. SVA provides opportunities for mountain biking, hiking, river and sea kayaking, white-water rafting, swimming, summer ice skating, and rock climbing. Students may also take weekend trips to Virginia City, Reno, Sacramento, and other nearby cities.
A typical day includes morning classes to earn credit for a semester or full-year course. Teachers integrate study and organizational skills in specific subject areas. Although the program is international, it readily accepts students who may be struggling academically. These students benefit from small class sizes and experienced, patient teachers.

Program Offerings

Most core academic courses are offered: algebra I, algebra II, biology, chemistry, creative writing, economics, English 9–12, ESL, geometry, government, physics, prealgebra, precalculus, Spanish I–IV, studio art, U.S. history, world geography, world history, and more middle school core courses. A minimum of 3 students must be enrolled to offer a course.
    The English as a Second Language (ESL) Program is available for students ages 10 through 17, in all levels of English. Students participate in English immersion by also attending classes with American students, sharing a dormitory room with an American student, and participating in all outdoor sports. Group discounts are available for this program.
    Most core academic and some elective courses are offered for credit. Students may earn credit either for one semester in the three-week session or for a full-year course in the six-week session.
    Participants enroll in two academic courses per session plus an outdoor activity in the afternoon. Each course is 2 hours per day.

Enrollment

Typically, SVA hosts 65 summer school boys and girls from many countries and the United States.

Daily Schedule

7:30
8:15
10:15
10:30
12:30
1:00
5:15
5:45
6:00
7:30
9:30
10:00

Breakfast
Course one
Break
Course two
Lunch
Afternoon activity
Dinner
Dinner crew clean-up
Free time
Mandatory study hall
Free time
Lights out

Extra Opportunities and Activities

The Academy offers three different activities each day, from which students select one option. Activities include swimming, mountain biking, tennis, hiking, miniature golf, ice skating, fly fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, and trips to nearby museums. On weekends, all students participate in one designated activity, such as a boat cruise, white-water rafting, or a beach picnic party. Costs for these activities are deducted from the student account.

Facilities

Two separate residential buildings accommodate students and staff members. Four students live in each room, which includes a private bathroom and shower. Common rooms and laundry facilities are located in each building. There are adult staff members on duty 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

Staff

The Academy’s staff and faculty members believe self-esteem is enhanced through real accomplishment in the academic, athletic, and social aspects of life at a boarding school. The faculty members teach a project-based curriculum to meet the California state standards within the state framework.
Most full-time teachers have a current teaching credential and a minimum of two years’ teaching experience prior to SVA. About half the staff members have advanced degrees in their subject areas. In addition, many teachers offer an elective based on their experience and expertise outside their academic subject(s).

Medical Care

Medical staff members hold all medications in a locked cabinet and distribute as necessary. Sick students stay in the on-campus infirmary after a visit to the nearby doctor’s office. The Truckee Tahoe Forest Hospital is 10 miles north.

Religious Life

Religious services are held at local churches that serve a number of faiths, but attendance at these services is not required by SVA.

Costs

Summer 2009 boarding students pay $9216 for the two-semester program, which covers tuition, room, board, and education. Day students pay $4042, which covers education only. Boarding students are required to pay a $525 room deposit plus an additional $2000 into a student account. All textbooks and uniforms are purchased separately. The tuition for the one-semester, three-week program is half the six-week tuition.

Transportation

SVA is located 2 miles east of Squaw Valley USA and 10 miles south of Truckee, California. Students who fly to SVA from other areas should arrive at the Reno/Tahoe International Airport, and SVA staff members will transport them to the campus, or the student may take a taxi or private shuttle for the 45-minute ride.

Application Timetable

Applicants are required to submit a completed summer school application along with a teacher recommendation, a principal/counselor recommendation, a copy of the student’s most recent transcript and/or report card, a copy of the student’s disciplinary/behavioral records (or confirmation that the student has no disciplinary history at the school), and copies of standardized aptitude or achievement tests. There is no application deadline, but students should apply as early as possible to guarantee placement in the program.