Doves Landing School is a school that offers a safe, peaceful, and inspiring place to learn including and going beyond typical academic assignments at College of the Desert With our Kindergarten through High School offerings, the entire family can participate in this 21st Century Country School House, "Abraham Lincoln-style" concept. Friendly competition occurs when the younger children observe and try to be like their older schoolmates. Leadership skills and accountability are provided in return from the younger student to their elders. Research finds that the one-room school house concept accelerates and deepens children's overall learning at each level. Beyond the accelerated academic learning, the Abraham Lincoln-style Country School House is where the students' social and emotional skills (and emotional health!) are greatly enhanced. Older students help and model for younger students. The younger students respect and honor their older "TA's" or Teacher Assistants.
The Doves Landing School program is based upon the Roger Taylor model of Gifted and Talented Programs with a dash of Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence's theory added. Children participate in Language Arts, Math, Music, Art, Physical Education, Science, History, Foreign Language and Field Study as part of the regular program through the extended school day hours. The main campus at The Living Desert is used for the indoor and outdoor learning options and as a base from which to operate Field Study programs such as; swimming lessons for water safety, recreation, and competitive sports, Field Days at nature reserves and local businesses, etc. Whenever possible, the children study outside, as our community is world renown for its beauty. Our school is a Donation-based, private school open to any student interested in attending and adhering to the requirements of respect for all.
The Doves Landing School program is based upon the Roger Taylor model of Gifted and Talented Programs with a dash of Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence's theory added. Children participate in Language Arts, Math, Music, Art, Physical Education, Science, History, Foreign Language and Field Study as part of the regular program through the extended school day hours. The main campus at The Living Desert is used for the indoor and outdoor learning options and as a base from which to operate Field Study programs such as; swimming lessons for water safety, recreation, and competitive sports, Field Days at nature reserves and local businesses, etc. Whenever possible, the children study outside, as our community is world renown for its beauty. Our school is a Donation-based, private school open to any student interested in attending and adhering to the requirements of respect for all.
Hummingbirds - Our students from pre-K to Kindergarten start out as Hummingbirds! Just like the curious, energetic, tiny birds we all love to feed with sugar water, so our Hummingbirds need a lot of careful attention and guidance- or they could be off and away in a flash! For this reason, and other reasons that may arise depending on the particular temperament of your Hummingbird, we usually ask that Hummingbirds stay for no more than a half day. There are exceptions, and we can work on a case-by-case basis. But their curiosity can make for a wonderfully early start at Doves Landing!
Quails - Our students start out as Quails if they enter school in First through Fourth Grade. Just as the birds follow each other closely in lines, the Quails stay by and interact closely with teachers and older students, who the Quails respectfully know as Lead Students, Teacher Assistants or TA's. When the older students review concepts in language, read to Quails and assist with Math, etc. the older students hone their own skills while the Quails enjoy one-to-one tutoring time. Have you ever tried to teach a concept? You really need to know the concept to teach the concept! This is great practice and review for the older students! TA's lead the Quails on Walking School Bus field trips for professional swim lessons at The PDAC, ( www.pdpool.com ), libraries, etc. Doves Landing School Quails practice helping other Quails to assist each other while students develop healthy relationships, almost like siblings. The Quails look up to their Roadrunner and Eagle schoolmates and anticipate taking on their responsibilities as they grow. Quails have the opportunity to advance quickly as they look to the other Quail students and Roadrunner and Eagle's more advanced lessons in friendly, healthy competition.
Roadrunners - Doves Landing School students from the fifth through twelfth grades are more like Roadrunners. Like their bird namesakes, they can "run" more quickly in academic endeavors in a more independent and responsible fashion. The Advanced Roadrunners, TA's, assist many of the younger students in practicing their Quail level studies. This time, (more or less three hours per week), serves to provide a review and reinforce the skills of Quail students. At the same time, this practice can be remedial for Roadrunners (older students) in need of basic skill acquisition or significant review. The dignity of young students is enhanced as older students spend time assisting them. More importantly, the dignity of older students is maintained when they are helping others. Advanced Roadrunners (middle and high school aged) work on assigned and interest projects; such as, Catering full lunch for the school through Culinary Arts, Music Recitals, and Technology Presentations. They also perform other learning events such as musicals and other drama productions. During Field Study times, the Advanced Roadrunners learn in-depth concepts with hands-on activities.
Eagles are Eigth through twelfth grade students with responsibilities beyond the regular students. They work on their academics and have duties to assist the school staff with life skills in preparation for family and career success. The Eagles work on science projects and other assigned or choice projects that require a high level of trust. Due to the extended day program (Monday - Thursday 8:00 - 4:00 PM) Eagles and Advanced Roadrunners have time for serving teachers and students at the school and academic projects. Projects have included science projects on electricity, solar powered motors, rockets, squid dissection, and more.
We have a documentary video. You can view it here.
DOVES LANDING SCHOOL is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation in the state of California.
Kennedy Rocker - as the founding administrator/teacher brings experience in traditional and charter public schools to her latest endeavor, the private school, Dove's Landing School. Work as a third through ninth grade teacher in two different districts and over 15 years experience as a school principal in three districts has provided the background for development and implementation of Dove's Landing School. Kennedy has also worked with USC in the MAT@USC, Rossier School of Education and presented conferences training principals and teachers in the U.S. (California, Minnesota, Nevada, and Arizona) as well as, internationally in Chengdu and Beijing, China, El Salvador, Honduras, Dominican Republic, and Guatemala.
Thank you for your interest in Doves Landing School!