Curriculum

School Instruction and Leadership

John Muir School implements a core district curriculum and supplemental services appropriate to the academic, social, and emotional needs of students. Teachers use a variety of instructional strategies to address the diverse learning styles of students. Collaboration and cooperation skills are fostered in a nurturing, challenging environment. Assessment occurs on a regular basis and continuous feedback is given to parents. Parent involvement and collaboration with the school create a welcoming learning environment. The English Language Development (ELD) Center provides special instructional strategies to help second language learners become proficient in English. Instruction is delivered through a sheltered English approach. ELD students are integrated with regular education students for math and other activities as appropriate. John Muir has an instructional plan developed and monitored by the School Site Council. Curriculum improvement is aligned with State Department of Education guidelines and our district strategic plan reflects community expectations and school site needs. Lead teacher network at all district schools support ongoing curricular improvement in all subject areas. All teachers and staff have taken a leadership role in the school. A leadership committee, started two years ago, helps coordinate the various tasks that each teacher and staff are responsible for. The emphasis so far has been in the areas of student assessment and curriculum articulation among all the grades.

Professional Development

Certificated staff and classified staff in Cupertino Union School District have numerous opportunities to improve themselves through professional development. These professional in-services and workshops are offered through the district's instructional department or in conjunction with various educational organizations throughout the Bay Area, the State of California, and nationally. With respect of John Muir School, every Tuesday from 2:15-3:15 pm is scheduled for professional development. Teachers alternate every third Tuesday for individual planning, grade level planning, or staff development. In addition, staff meetings are held twice a month from 3:15-4:00 pm. CUSD as a whole district schedules four Staff Learning Days every school year. During these learning days everyone in the district participates. For the last several years, the emphasis has been on improving students' written work and language arts.

Quality and Currency of Textbooks and Other Instructional Materials

In the Cupertino Union School District, a team of teachers, parents, and administrators examines state-adopted textbooks and other instructional materials. Those that reflect state frameworks and standards as well as district and community priorities are recommended to the Board of Education for use in district schools. All texts and instructional materials are current and support the school program. Copies of textbooks and instructional materials are available for review on request. To implement and enrich the instructional program, a variety of materials other than textbooks is available at the Teacher Resource Center. Materials include videotapes, CD Rom, laser discs, literature and science kits, math manipulative, software, and additional unique equipment and supplies. John Muir School has a Technology Use Plan to support student and staff. Developed by the staff and parents, the plan is aligned with the district's Instructional Technology Plan. There is an iMac lab at school and computers in the classrooms. Students use technology to enhance academic skills and to enrich and extend the curriculum.

Instructional Minutes

The California Education Code establishes a required number of instructional minutes per year for each grade level. The data presented here compares the number of instructional minutes offered at the school to the state requirement for each grade.

Total Number of Minimum Days

For John Muir students there are 180 instructional days in the school year. Of those 137 are regular days and 43 are minimum days. Minimum days are used by the teachers for curriculum development, grade level and individual planning, parent conferences, and other related professional staff development workshops.