The Kairos Difference
What is a Charter School?
A Charter School is a public school established to provide students and parents with more choices in the types of educational opportunities and programs that are available within the public school system.
The Vacaville Unified School Board approved our community-based charter school in the Fall of 2013. Kairos Public School Vacaville Academy, is open to students who reside within or outside of the Vacaville Unified School District.
Kairos Public School Vacaville Academy is a strong supporter of parent's rights to choose the direction of their child's education. In 1993, the state approved a plan for development of Charter Schools. These Charter Schools were to provide opportunities for school districts or individual schools to try out innovative instructional methods, increase parent involvement, and improve student achievement. Kairos Public School Vacaville Academy is #1635 in the state of California.
The Meaning Behind the Name...
Kairos Public Schools (KPS), operates a Transitional Kindergarten through eighth-grade site-based public school and a Kindergarten through 8th-grade non-classroom based homeschool program in Vacaville, California, an organization managed by a team with a proven record of success in working in charter schools.
Kairos (καιρός) is an ancient Greek word meaning the right or opportune moment (the supreme moment). The ancient Greeks had two words for time, chronos and kairos. While the former refers to chronological or sequential time, the latter signifies a period between, moments of indeterminate length during which something special happens. We feel this metaphor aptly reflects our vision for KPSVA as a school where each student makes the most of every learning opportunity because they understand and embrace their school motto, “The Time is Now.”
In a democratic society, public education provides a common foundation for students of all ages, color, race, creed and nationality. It is imperative that we produce an educated populous who can think critically, apply knowledge strategically, and contribute liberally to a world facing many monumental challenges. By providing a solid foundation of communication skills and knowledge, KPS enables students to build upon the past, reflect on the present, and dream about the future; providing Kairos moments in their journey of life. "Fortunately for children, the uncertainties of the present always give way to the enchanted possibilities of the future." - Gelsey Kirkland
The KPS curriculum is grounded in the State Standards for California Public Schools for a college preparatory program and designed to meet the needs of a variety of learners. The Transitional Kindergarten through eighth-grade charter school offers a rigorous standards-based program embracing the philosophy of innovative and classical education models. KPS is committed to inspiring and mentoring all learners to become responsible, critical thinking global leaders.
The founders of KPS understand the need for the Charter School to continuously focus on increasing learning and achievement. As a Charter School and a community of stakeholders, we are dedicated to implementing innovative approaches and interactions regarding student learning. We are committed to offering quality education to all students. Our successful record with charter schools over the last two decades provides concrete evidence of our ability to implement a culture of academic and organizational excellence in education. The KPS staff is highly qualified and hard working. They are a professional team exemplifying optimism for charter school opportunities and an unswerving enthusiasm to prepare students to be tomorrow’s leaders.
MISSION & VISION
Kairos Public Schools is committed to empowering generations of learners who think critically, analyze and apply knowledge strategically, and utilize relevant tools to interact thoughtfully within a global community.
Throughout implementation of a rigorous, standards-based educational program with high expectations of all stakeholders -- students, parents/guardians, staff -- Kairos Public Schools are committed to installing a life-long love of learning to prepare its students for high school and lay the foundation for success for the most prestigious four-year colleges, universities, and beyond.
|
Scholar Learner Outcomes |
We lead the Kairos way… At Kairos, our scholar learner outcomes (SLO’s) are developing critical thinkers, effective communicators, self-directed learners, and responsible citizens. Now more than ever, these values are not just words, they are tools for life.
|
We Will Be:
|
HOW we teach...
-
Through active participation in thoughtfully organized learning experiences that meet actual personal and community needs
-
With curricula that are interrelated and embedded in learning experiences
-
Where structured time exists for learners to think, talk, and write about the many dimensions of what they do
-
Where learners use, transfer, and build upon newly acquired skills and knowledge that connect in multiple ways to their immediate environment and the world at large
-
Where every learner is a teacher -- and every teacher a learner
-
Where all learners are challenged, but secure enough to take the risk essential to learning
WHAT we teach...
-
Curriculum grounded in the Common Core State Standards for California Public Schools and early college prep programs designed to reach a variety of learners
-
Learners to become responsible, critical thinking global leaders
-
Rigorous standards-based program embracing the philosophy of core knowledge and classical education models
-
Interdisciplinary units taught throughout subjects
-
Thematic, inquiry based units of instruction focused on structured questioning methods
-
An educational program that is flexible, demanding and appropriate for learners
WHY we teach...
-
To challenge students to think, inquire, and make connections in school and the larger world around them
-
For the development and focus of the whole child
-
To promote higher-level questioning and international mindedness
-
To encourage and enhance the student's natural curiosity
-
To expose students to a global understanding of their roles and relevance in society
TESTIMONIALS
We strongly support this school because it provides an exceptional learning environment and educational options that. truly meet the individual needs of our children. The hybrid learning model gives our family the best of both worlds, flexibility at home combined with meaningful connection and support in the classroom. Most importantly, our children are happy, safe, engaged, and thriving. We believe this unique model is a valuable part of our community and should continue to be available to families.
- Christie DelMonte
Kairos Public School stands out because it combines strong, rigorous academics with an individualized approach, giving scholars opportunities to learn through hands-on experiences, build critical-thinking skills, and receive meaningful support from educators and staff who know them well. What makes Kairos especially unique is its flexibility and strong family-school partnership, creating an environment where my son can be challenged academically while still being seen and supported as an individual.
- Abigail Day
I support Kairos because of the support, hard work, and dedication staff has put into their school. This is my son's first year with Kairos and I have already had so much feedback and positive contact, that I feel other high schools in the area would not take the time for. I support the smaller class size, so it is easier to focus on students. There are always teacher updates, and follow up. Lots of support for any student that may need it, and the flexibility in the school to work with kids schedules.
- Alicia Garcia
We absolutely love what Kairos has to offer for our family. Their flexible programs between on-site attendance as well as homeschool options are wonderful. We are currently enrolled in the homeschool program. We love the support, oversight and community they provide us as a homeschool family. We love the level of parental involvement they require and the values they expect every family to uphold. We believe in their mission and trust their expectations for true academic excellence and merit based practices for our family. Kairos is the unicorn school we were searching for.
- Allison Buell
I like their misison between education and community. Helping to teach and grow my child into a successful citizen. Protecting the safety and health of my child and future children to come. I love their transparency in keeping parents involved and knowledgeable in all things, keeping child/parent relationships a priority.
-Joellen DeVera
Both of my children have been brought up in this school. They have been shown a path to greatness by the leadership of the staff. Everyone associated with this school is a role model for the children and everyone associated does everything in their power to leave no child behind. Fantastic school, I can't thank them enough for what they have done for my children.
- Craig Hunt
5-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN
"Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world."
- Joel A. Barker
STUDENT PERFORMANCE INDEX
THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING