At DRA, we utilize a personalized
system of instruction that promotes student ownership in
the learning process.
With the support of certified teachers in a traditional classroom setting, students leave DRA having gained knowledge, skills, and confidence.
This empowers them towards academic achievement and becoming lifelong learners.
DRA is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools and the Utah State Office of Education. Credit earned at DRA will transfer to high schools, colleges, and universities throughout the United States and internationally. Students near completion of their graduation requirements can complete and receive an accredited High School Diploma while at DRA.
Diamond Ranch Academy Graduation.
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Character must come first. The current trend in public
education is to foster Character Education through required courses and
service hours. DRA promotes Character Education first through the Real
Life Transitions Program.
Once students learn to value themselves and
improve their behavior, academic improvement is a natural consequence.
DRA’s academic approach is modeled after Fred Keller’s Personalized
System of Instruction (PSI).
Dr. Keller was a renowned psychologist in the 1960’s that created the Personalized System of Instruction Model to promote Student ownership in the learning process.
The PSI model utilizes a student-paced mastery approach that combines the flexibility and accountability of student-paced study with the structure of a classroom setting and the support of certified teachers.
Student paced learning allows students to accelerate their progress in courses that they are strong in and take the extra time needed for more difficult subjects.
Core credit is granted when students master content, not when they've merely spent seat time in class.
Most school settings are driven by timelines. This creates a
teach-test-and-go-on climate that is not conducive to struggling
students. If a student gets a D on chapter 1, they move on to
chapter 2 with little feedback on how to improve. 
This continues from chapter to chapter avoiding the real issue for most struggling students --- learning how to learn.
DRA focuses on the techniques
and strategies that will make the student successful in the learning
process.
Students must pass tests and assignments with 80% or better. This
allows teachers and students to focus on the learning technique of
students to improve study skills and test preparation strategies as
they retake tests as needed to master content.
As study skills and ability increase, student confidence in the learning process improves, thus allowing students to develop new-found positive attitudes about school.
Diamond Ranch Academy draws from a pool of students having behavior problems and recognizes that some of these students have received previous Special Education Services.
In addition to our regular
teachers, we have dedicated Special Education personnel that carry
out goals, objectives, and accommodations as they pertain to a
student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP).
Our Special Education approach is to empower students, not to enable
them. Learning Disabilities are not an excuse to make life easier;
they are a limitation that can be managed (with appropriate
accommodations) as students learn to take ownership in the learning
process.
All of our teachers have Bachelor or Masters degrees in their related areas of expertise and meet strict licensing requirements from the Utah State Office of Education and the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools.
All of our courses are aligned with the Utah State Core Curriculum as outlined by the Utah State Office of Education. See detailed curriculum here.
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Careers and Living SkillsIn conjunction with our psycho-educational groups that promote emotional health and interpersonal insight, students earn school credit for their participation in our Careers and Living Skills group curriculum.
These groups are designed to help students learn valuable career and life skills such as: study methods, problem solving strategies, work place skills, career exploration, effective ways to apply and interview for jobs, appropriate communications, and leadership roles.
Students are also introduced to specific vocational skills and exposed to hands-on experience in a variety of occupational fields.
Music Program All students participate in a Music class that is designed to
introduce students to a wide variety of musical thought and
expression.
Students are given opportunities to perform and
discover how music can influence their lives in positive ways.
Field Trips Field Trips and Learning Activities are utilized to motivate
students by connecting what they are learning in the classroom to
the world around them.
Students participate in off campus field
trips to learn from the beauty and awe-inspiring geology of Southern
Utah.
