Personalized Learning Environments

Personalized learning environments support all students' achievement in meeting high academic standards and making successful transitions to quality postsecondary opportunities by designing curriculum, supports, structures, and a learning climate focused on student needs and development.  A personalized environment is characterized by: an academically rigorous curriculum; instruction that is relevant to real-world contexts and that builds upon student and community assets; a network of adults who work together and with students to access the necessary academic and social resources; interactions among and between adults and students defined by trust, respect, open communication, and clear, shared expectations; and a safe and welcoming climate.

NAF Academies create personalized learning environments by structuring into small learning communities (SLC), focused on a career theme, in which Academy staff identify and support the needs of students.  Ideally, SLCs should include no more than 400 students, which ensures that each student has relationships with multiple caring adults.