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Regarding curricular changes, though CAVA students have excelled on standardized tests in the areas of reading and language arts, they have struggled in the area of math. The K12, inc. curriculum that is used appears not to be in sync with the California sequence of teaching math standards. Lessons for grades K-2 are being rewritten and will be available in fall 2006. It is intended that other grade level adjustments will be made as well. Curriculum support has also increased for CAVA teachers in the hope of alleviating this problem.
Another change has come in the area of clientele. Initially, the attraction to CAVA was predominantly from pre-existing home school families. Today, however, these families comprise less than 20% of the schools’ populations. The majority of families (70%) are now coming out of public and private schools. This shift could have quite an impact on CAVA’s future growth rate.
An indicator of success can be found in the exemplary retention rate at CAVA. Last year 75% of the families returned and this year retention has increased to nearly 80%. These are high percentages for schools of this kind. Also, a recent parent survey indicated high parental satisfaction.
To what is all this success attributed? Ms. Outfl eet reflected on some of the contributing factors: