Our Core Values, Beliefs, and Learning Expectations
Our theory of action is that MVRHS should develop the heart and the mind of all of its students. In order for students to be prepared for college, career and life, they need a strong academic background and a set of socio-emotional skills that make them adaptable, healthy, employable and happy. Our school strives to provide students with the classroom experience and school culture that promotes all of this.
Learning Expectations and classroom experiences
At MVRHS, we strive to create classroom experiences and assignments that promote the realization of the following learning expectations so that students will possess:
Critical thinking
Critically consume media/ sources/ data
Integrate multiple points of view to land on an opinion/thesis
Draw comparisons across multiple texts and disciplines
Ask and seek answers to questions
Be active readers and thinkers— be able to actively interact with the written word and determine meaning
Problem Solving
Observe and evaluate situations to define problems
Frame questions, make predictions and design data/information collection and analysis strategies
Identify patterns, trends and relationships that apply to solutions
Generate a variety of solutions, build a case for a best response and critically evaluate the effectiveness of the response
See opportunities, find resources and seek results
Use information and technology to solve problems
Persevere in challenging situations
Effective written and verbal communication
Demonstrate organized and purposeful communication in English and at least one other language
Use evidence and logic appropriately in communication
Adjust communication based on the audience
Use a variety of modes of expression (spoken, written and visual and performing including the use of technology to create and share the expressions)
Socio-emotional skills and school culture
At MVRHS, we ask that staff and students adhere to our common values. These values guide our interactions and our expectations of one another. These values also underpin our decisions in how we allocate our resources and time at our school.
As a student, I will:
Resilience
Be willing to accept and learn from disappointment
Manage and learn from discomfort
Stretch myself
Believe that success is under my control
Practice the skill of moving forward and maintaining optimism
Self-advocate
Accountability
Proactively, independently get my work done
Be present, be engaged, be on time
Manage myself – I won’t make it the adult’s responsibility
Maintain integrity – academic and personal
Accept consequences when I make poor choices – don’t blame others
Step up and manage situations, even if I am not the cause – I will play a leadership role in resolving it
Compassion
Avoid behavior that disrespects or devalues others
Respond to things that hurt others
Support other community members
Actively help others and contribute to the community
Curiosity
Figure out what type of learning excites me, keeps me engaged, and makes me happy to wake up in the morning
Try new things – I may love it
Pursue interests and passions until I am satisfied – not just to receive a grade or reward
Discover how my interests and hobbies can translate into the world of High School, life and work
Community
Recognize the benefits of being part of a community and take responsibility for my own impact on others
Recognize the rights of others and the common good
Thoughtfully build understanding by obtaining information and engaging with diverse perspectives