The Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy (Public Private Partnership School) uses a holistic approach in its programs. Emphasis is placed on homework assistance, life management, social skills, personal grooming, business skills, consumer education, art, and reading enhancement.
Golf is a major part of the Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy’s approach because the game helps students learn personal discipline, self-control, respect for others, responsibility, concentration and honesty.
Through the Academy’s unique shadow program, students spend time with adults in each department of our campus Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club and Sports Complex, seeing firsthand how management, marketing, retail sales, landscaping, and agronomy apply to real life. In the pro shop, they might help the staff sort golf balls, attach pricing stickers to merchandise, restock shelves, or staff the checkout counter.
While learning about the various jobs at our campus Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club and Sports Complex, the children see how basic educational skills like math and reading are used on an everyday basis. The Academy’s teachers feel that students are much more enthusiastic when they see how the things they learn are involved beyond the classroom. We call these our living classrooms.
Also, the small-school atmosphere, individual attention, counseling, availability of student services and special instructional foster a desire in Academy students to succeed.
For example, during the 2009-2010 school year, the Academy had a staff of 12. With a 9:1 student-teacher ratio and only 19 students per classroom.
According to staff at the Academy, “We maximize the resources that the students would receive at mainstream schools, and then provide them with additional support. The students have a much greater opportunity to succeed because of that support.”
Teachers at the Academy see our students as smart kids who just needed an alternative and authentic way of learning. As one staff member said, “It makes you feel so good to hear kids say, I like school again.”