Alice Birney, Academy of International Studies Magnet encourages students to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners. As the school becomes a Magnet, it will adopt an interdisciplinary, inquiry-based curriculum that caters to the whole child with arts, movement and world citizenship (including learning a second language.)

This new Magnet program will give continuity priority to families who want to participate in the Roosevelt IB Middle Years Program and the prestigious San Diego Complex School of International Studies IB Diploma Program - providing students with an opportunity to progress through the K-12 International Studies continuum.

Features

• Half day pre-school program
• Small class sizes K-5
• GATE cluster program
• Full-time counselor, nurse and PE teacher (with two hours of physical education each week)

Community Partnerships

UCSD ArtsBridge;
University Heights Art Association
University Heights Community Association
University Heights Park and Recreation Council
California Coast Credit Union
Kindred Hospital
Mission Valley YMCA
YMCA Youth and Family Services

Vision and Mission Statement

"Think globally, learn locally"
The goal of Alice Birney Academy of International Studies is to teach students to demonstrate an understanding of the world around them, politically, socially and culturally.  We expect our students to be active, curious and confident learners, and we expect them to be able to contribute to the school climate of tolerance, empathy and integrity. We develop and nurture students to use knowledge to promote peace, tolerance and understanding of other cultures in their daily endeavors. Our goal is to send inquiring, independent, and caring young people who act to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect on to middle school.  Our aim is to prepare children to become adults who are active, compassionate and peaceful citizens of the world community.  We are aligned with the mission of the International Baccalaureate Organization, which is:
“To develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. 

Goals of Magnet Program

1. To complete the three phases of authorization to become an IB PYP program by June 30, 2010
2. To be fully aligned with the IB Middle Years Program at Roosevelt Middle School
3. To provide students with the academic foundation they need to succeed in the Middle Years Program at Roosevelt Middle School and the IB Diploma Program at San Diego High School of International Studies.
4. To increase diversity at the school site to more closely reflect the district’s demographics.
5. To improve Student Academic Achievement for all students by implementing the IB PYP curricular structure to provide a rigorous curriculum that will meet and exceed California state standards.  In this way we aim to strengthen students’ knowledge in all subjects through structured inquiry as a vehicle for learning.  

Cluster Order

Cluster 1
Cluster 2
Cluster 3

Links

Roosevelt Middle School IB
San Diego High Educational Complex
(School of International Studies (IB)
International Baccalaureate
(ibo.org)
Committee for Children

 

Students learned about electrical circuits and how electrical energy can be changed into other types of energy. Students learned how to create a circuit consisting of a D cell battery, on/off switch and motor. Students then created a complete circuit that would run a motor and were then introduced to the concept of insulators and conductors and their role in curcuits. Students investigated which things in the classroom would be conductors of energy and close the circuit to make the motor run, or insulators that would open the circuit or interupt the flow of energy. After experimenting, students were asked to record their findings and draw some conclusions about the use of conductors and insulators in relation to electrical circuits. Students were also videotaped sharing their results with the class.