We Are Parents

ACLC facilitators usually give learners the specific supply needs for each class on the second day of school. If you want to provide some basic supplies, all learners will find the following useful: pens, pencils, an eraser, a notebook with lined paper, a pencil sharpener, a mini-stapler, a roll of scotch tape, a glue stick and a ruler.

No, learners are not expected to have a laptop or tablet of their own.

Learners can bring a home-packed lunch or buy lunch from our daily lunch service, which is managed by the Alameda Unified School District's Food and Nutrition Services (FANS).

Lunches are available for free or reduced price for families who submit an application and qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program. The application for this program is available HERE or in the ACLC office.

New Learner Bridge is a half-day orientation program for new learners. It is usually held in the afternoon a few days before school starts, with separate sessions for new middle schoolers and new high schoolers. Experienced ACLC learners and facilitators lead team-building activities, workshops, and discussions to introduce new learners to ACLC's traditions, to the campus, and to life as an ACLC student.

Jupiter Grades is ACLC's online portal where facilitators post assignments and grades for learners and parents to access. Parent access is provided via email, so make sure the office has your e-mail address at the start of the school year. Click here to learn more.

CCC stands for Contemporary Community Citizenship. It is a weekly class period on Wednesday mornings designed build community across grade levels, to encourage learners to participate in and give back to the community, and to take leadership roles both inside and outside of ACLC. At CCC, learners may gather in "Big Group" (like a school assembly) or "Small Groups" (like an advisory period).

The Judicial Committee is ACLC's learner-run process for enforcing ACLC's community rules. All ACLC learners are empowered to "write up" learners and facilitators for breaking an ACLC rule. Learners who are written up appear before the Judicial Committee. If they plead "not guilty" their case will be heard before a jury of their peers. All ACLC learners are required to complete 3 hours of jury duty per year. Click here to learn more.

An annual two-night community-building camping trip held for new 6th and 7th grade learners. ACLC high school learners serve as Camp organizers, activity leaders, and counselors. Usually held in late September or early October.

Learner-Led Conferences are a longstanding ACLC tradition. They are small conferences attended by 4-6 learners, their parents/guardians/invited guests, and one facilitator. Learners prepare by creating a presentation for the group. The group listens and gives feedback on each learner's presentation.

LLC's are intended to build learners' ability to reflect on themselves and their learning experience, teach them how to create clear and compelling presentations, and help them gain confidence in public speaking. LLC's take place at the end of each semester. Parent participation is strongly encouraged.

A special meeting called by parents, facilitators or learners, designed to help a learner become more successful at school and increase his/her learning potential.

Project-Based Learning (as defined by the Buck Institute for Education--bie.org) is a teaching method in which learners gain knowledge and skills by working over an extended period of time to investigate and respond to a complex question, problem or challenge. Essential elements include: significant academic content, in-depth inquiry, a driving question, a need to know, voice and choice, critique and revision, and a public audience.

Project-based learning aims to teach, build and assess skills needed in today's world, such as problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity and innovation.