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Our Approach

OUR VALUES — THE NINE NEA PRINCIPLES

"Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education."

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

Our core values help learners develop beyond academics into engaged citizens, productive and responsible people, and active lifelong learners. At all levels we teach, emphasize, model and celebrate the Nine Nea Principles.

Our central Nea Principle is that of KNOWLEDGE, LIFELONG EDUCATION and a CONTINUED QUEST FOR LEARNING.

This principle (and others outlined below) comes from the West African wisdom tradition and is encapsulated in a graphic symbol, known as an Adinkra.

The Nea Adinkra for which our school is named derives from the saying:

NEA ONNIM NO SUA A, OHU = "One who does not know can know from learning."

Each month, a Nea Principle, represented by an Adinkra symbol, is embedded and interwoven throughout the program (click headings below to reveal each month's adinkra and corresponding meaning):

Curiosity (September)

We use Curiosity to:

Help clarify problems, ideas, and situations
Actively explore the environment, ask questions and investigate possibilities
Demonstrate deep understanding beyond surface knowledge and learn more because of the desire to know more.

Organization (October)

We use Organization to:

Select and apply appropriate technology to the task
Effectively use technology to critically gather information
Choose appropriate technology to communicate ideas
Participate in decisions that effect the learning experience
Effectively organize and manage time and tasks

Persistence (November)

We use Persistence to:

Demonstrate the ability to maintain action regardless of the challenges in reaching goals.
Engage in effective self-reflection, assessment and revision of actions and products

December (Compassion)

We use Compassion to:

Develop and apply keen awareness of the interdependence of all things
Exercise leadership and work with diversity
Help others learn
Give back to the community and recognize the needs of others

Accountability (January)

We use Accountability to:

Achieve subject matter competency
Succeed on traditional assessment measures
Produce high quality projects for a variety of audiences

Problem Solving (February)

We use Problem Solving to:

Overcome obstacles and find a solution that best resolves the problem
Organize knowledge and develop strategies to correctly solve a problem
Evaluate results to determine best possible solutions to the problem.

Courage (March)

We use Courage to:

Exceed AUSD graduation standards
Generate new ideas and dreams and plan for the future
Successfully meet college entrance and/or career path requirements

Teamwork (April)

We use Teamwork to:

Function in various group roles
Contribute cooperatively to a group effort
Take ownership and responsibility for the well-being of the community
Participate in the democratic process, including judicial and governance

Integrity (May)

We use Integrity to:

Demonstrate consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes
Demonstrate honesty, truthfulness and accuracy in our actions
Take ownership and responsibility for the well-being of the community and ourselves

Reflection of the 9 Nea Principles (June)

As the school year wraps up, we use this opportunity to look back on the Nine Nea Principles and evaluate how well we have integrated them into our behavior and practices.

We take pride in those we have applied successfully and pledge to do better on those we must continue to work on. We are all striving to do better each day!