FFCA Guiding Principles

FFCA fosters strong, positive, respectful partnerships among students, staff, parents and community. 
These relationships are characterized by trust, integrity, openness and collaboration, and exist to support learning for all stakeholders.  
FFCA encourages leadership among all stakeholders through shared decision-making.

FFCA strives for excellence in:
       ·        academic development and independent learning.
         ·        personal and character development.
         ·        the development of outstanding staff.

FFCA creates a caring and optimal learning environment for students by:
       ·        setting clearly-defined learning standards.
       ·        building students’ belief in their ability to learn.
       ·        developing confidence through competence.
       ·        fostering positive thinking and providing encouragement.
       ·        optimizing learning time and student engagement.
       ·        tailoring class size and composition to reflect the learning
               needs of students.

FFCA is “one school” on multiple campuses.  We are coherent in our vision and unified in our practices, including:

·        a common approach to instruction and classroom management.

·        common core character virtues K-12 (respect, responsibility, integrity, self-discipline and compassion).

·        cross-campus grade level and subject area collaboration.

·        formal orientation, coaching and mentoring for teachers.

·        use of subject specialists (e.g. Art, PE, Music, Spanish).

·        parental commitment to a high level of involvement.

·        wearing of student uniforms.

FFCA is purposeful and strategic in the selection and utilization of teaching methods and resources, including:
         ·        Direct Instruction (explicit learning targets, continuous formative
              assessment, and sequential mastery learning).
         ·        inquiry and cooperative learning.
         ·        the infusion of creative and critical thinking.
         ·        early literacy development (explicit phonics).
         ·        integration of instructional technologies.
       ·        homework that promotes the attainment of student learning targets.