Education

When a student enters Pine Creek Ranch their education needs are assessed. Students begin their program by taking the CTBS (Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills), and they take the same test upon discharge. This test usually takes two or three school days for each student to complete. Upon completion a student SEP (Student Education Plan) is created.

The student SEP shows his or her competency in each subject. The student may enter the program having missed the majority of 10^th grade. The CTBS lets us know the student is scoring at 10^th grade 8^th month in English and 9^th grade 9^th month in Math. So, the student will attend English class and math class and work on the subject matter appropriate for their level, from standard textbooks used to teach the core curriculum for the State of Utah. There is a teacher in each class, working with the students. Each textbook chapter is literally pulled apart and we then call them concepts. The student is then assigned the corresponding concept/chapter. This provides the student a manageable piece of information to master (as opposed to a full textbook for each subject). Each student is required to pass each concept with an 80% score or higher before they can move on.

This method of teaching allows the students to receive personal attention from the teacher, catch up and move ahead if needed, or move at their own pace and not become discouraged. This is the teaching method for all subjects, supplemented with teacher presentations and full classroom instruction. Advanced Placement is also available.

Pine Creek Ranch education is provided by Discovery Academy Education Services, which is accredited by the Northwest Association of Colleges and Schools and follows a full course curriculum as outlined by the Utah State Office of Education for public schools.

The school day is a standard school day with Friday reserved as the “Experiential Day”. This experiential learning is required to complete all coursework. Regular teaching is augmented by the Friday experiential learning, which includes traditional school activities such as:

• Field trips
• Guest and teacher lectures (with note taking)
• Group learning
• Oral presentations
• Labs
• Study skills

Based on the CTBS entrance and exit testing, the Pine Creek Ranch education department has had unique success in assisting the individual students in:

• Developing organizational skills
• Improving textbook and note taking skills
• Increased reading comprehension and reading competency
• Improved reading speed and conceptualization
• Increased vocabulary and spelling competency
• Improved extraction of information through research
• Increased student self-confidence and self-esteem
• Increased interest in college and vocational schools after high school

Other benefits include:

• Individualized teacher-student interaction
• Career interest and college exploration
• Job shadowing and possible apprentice job placement in community