Civic Learning Award: Ivy Academia Entrepreneurial Charter School

Ivy Academia Entrepreneurial Charter School

Ivy Academia School District
County of: Los Angeles
Civic Learning Award of: Merit

School Website


Highlight: As part of their required 12th grade Government course, students research, debate, develop, and present a proposal for new school policy to school administrators.

Civic Learning Description

Their "flipped" AP U.S. History curriculum uses class time for critical thinking, creativity and collaboration rather than rote review of material. The US Government Course helps students understand how a bill becomes a law by engaging students in school governance issues, such as dress code. The active Associated Student Body (ASB) not only develops student awareness with campaigns such as Anti-Bullying, they endorse school purchases before they are sent to the district office, and participate on the School Site Council.


Research-Based Civic Education Practices

This school demonstrates the following research-based best practices in civic education. For more information on research-based best practices, visit the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools website.
  • Provide instruction in government, history, law and democracy, and avoid teaching only rote facts about dry procedures.
  • Discuss current local, national and international issues and events in the classroom, particularly those that young people view as important to their lives.
  • Conduct community service that is linked to the formal curriculum and classroom (Service-learning).
  • Offer extracurricular activities that provide opportunities for young people to get involved in their schools or communities.
  • Encourage student participation in school governance.
  • Encourage students’ participation in simulations of democratic process and procedures such as voting, trials, legislative deliberation, and diplomacy.


Contact Information

Cynthia Cuprill
20920 Knapp St.
Chatsworth, CA 91311
818-885-1052