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Scott Etters, Head of School

With Da Vinci since 2012

Welcome to Da Vinci Academy.  What an exciting time this is to be the Head of School.  As I begin my inaugural year at Da Vinci, I am thrilled about the challenges that come with helping grow an institution.  I also am looking forward to partnering with the Da Vinci community and establishing long-lasting and meaningful relationships with the students, teachers, and parents. Finally, I now find myself in a position that allows me to positively impact a greater number of students in an area about which I am most passionate - working with gifted and talented children.  

Da Vinci Academy is devoted to serving the needs of gifted and talented students from grades PK-8.  Why is a school specific to gifted and talented students necessary?  Having been a part of gifted programming both as a student and a teacher, gifted children are often overlooked because they are doing "just fine" in the classroom and/or performing "above expectations" on standardized tests. On the other hand, gifted children may also be described as low-performing, disinterested in school, lacking motivation, or even disruptive (perhaps the class clown).  In the latter cases, these children might be bored because they already "get" it, don't feel challenged, and/or are misunderstood by classmates when they share personal thoughts, ideas, or perspectives in class.  In the aforementioned cases, it may come down to whether a child's teacher is knowledgeable as to what a gifted child looks like because there is no distinct classification.

The focus at Da Vinci Academy is on gifted and talented students who think differently…who need (or desire) new and interesting challenges…who need to be given a variety of opportunities to learn…who need to be engaged…and who need to be given the chance to go deeper and broader into their exploration.

These are some of the more profound reasons as to why the school was founded in 2000.  In just a short time considerable changes and growth have taken place.  Da Vinci Academy opened with 72 students in its inaugural year.  Around 130 students are expected to be in attendance at the start of the 2012-13 school year and we are looking to increase that number over the coming years.  Early changes have already begun as we move in this direction.  During the summer months of 2012, three classrooms were expanded while still maintaining a low student-to-teacher ratio.  The school has hired a new Director of Admissions who comes to the school with experience, energy, and enthusiasm.  In June the Board of Trustees has welcomed three new members and all trustees are excited to partner with me to help move the school forward.

With that being stated, the success of the school moving forward is built on the foundation of the teachers and their support staff.  Da Vinci Academy staff members are clearly dedicated to their profession and truly embrace the "family" community.  Teachers possess the ability, flexibility, and creativity to interweave academic expertise with diverse professional and personal experiences into their everyday curriculum.  While setting a high expectation level through the rigor, challenge, and pacing of the program, teachers also afford the support and confidence-building necessary for student success.  Most important, their desire to shape the whole child is prevalent on a daily basis and is demonstrated during both the in-school and after-school activities.

Spanish, the Arts, and Physical Fitness are also a major part of Da Vinci Academy.  Spanish is taught at all levels.  Students are given ample opportunity to develop their artistic and musical skills, while gaining perspective about Art and Music appreciation.  This is accomplished during dedicated art and music classes as well as integrated classwork.  Drama is also integrated into the curriculum, especially at the middle school level.  PE classes provide students physical activity through motion and skill development.

In addition to the academics offered, Da Vinci provides many opportunities to participate in a variety of extra-curricular clubs and activities.  Students participate in activities such as chess, robotics, MathCounts®, athletics (soccer, volleyball, and basketball), drama and a variety of other after-school clubs and specialty classes. The 2012-2013 Chess Club will once again be coached by Illinois Chess Grand Master Nikola Mitkov.  Chess Club, Mathcounts®, and Robotics Club members will enjoy opportunities to participate in tournaments throughout Illinois. In addition to these school-year activities, Da Vinci hosts a Summer Camp with a variety of enrichment programs that are open to Da Vinci students as well as students who do not attend the school.

Da Vinci Academy offers a unique learning environment for a unique population of children…perhaps your child.  Feel free to continue perusing our website to gather additional information, but keep in mind that a website portrays only a partial picture of what we are about.  For additional information or to schedule a family visit, please contact our Director of Admissions, Rebecca Malotke-Meslin.


Warm regards,

Scott R. Etters
Head of School

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