Frequently Asked Questions

How are Stevenson PACT classrooms different from other classrooms?

In acknowledgement of individual learning styles, Stevenson PACT teachers and parents use a variety of teaching methods to engage all children. Material is frequently presented in an experiential, hands-on manner that allows children to gain knowledge through research and guided discovery. To achieve differentiated instruction and to take advantage of small child-to-adult ratios, our classrooms may have several learning centers running simultaneously.

In a Stevenson PACT classroom you will see children moving around. Our classrooms respect the nature of childhood and encourage freedom of movement for exploration.

Who is eligible to attend the Stevenson PACT school?

Stevenson PACT is open to any student, kindergarten through 5th grade, in the Mountain View-Whisman School District. Inter-district transfers are currently not being accepted by the MVWSD Board, but existing students from other districts have been allowed to continue. These policies come under review each year and are subject to change. A group of Sunnyvale parents interested in starting a similar school in Sunnyvale has formed, and more information can be found at the Sunnyvale Parent Participation Yahoo Group.

Do Stevenson PACT teachers teach district core curriculum?
Yes, Stevenson PACT teachers cover the district's core curriculum, but our students' education goes far beyond what is mandated by the district and the state. Our classroom environments support individual choice and responsibility. Within this framework, Stevenson PACT emphasizes that students challenge themselves academically and personally.

What is the background of Stevenson PACT teachers?
The Stevenson PACT School has been successful at recruiting and retaining high quality teachers. All of our teachers are fully state certified. Teachers work in Stevenson PACT because it matches their personal philosophy of learning, teaching, being innovative and collaborating with families.

What is the child-to-adult ratio in a Stevenson PACT classroom?
Because Stevenson PACT parents participate in the classrooms, our classes frequently have two, three, or four adults working with the students. This allows Stevenson PACT teachers to spend more time with each student and offer differentiated instruction.
K/1 and 2/3 classrooms have a maximum of twenty students, while our fourth and fifth grade classrooms may contain up to thirty.

What about academic achievement?

On the state-mandated achievement tests, Stevenson PACT scores are among the highest in the district across all categories: reading, math, language and spelling.

What size are the classes at Stevenson PACT?

We have three kindergarten classes of 20 students each and two first grades of 20 students each. The second grade is 20 students, two third grades of 20 students each. The fourth/fifth grade combined classes are 30 students each. The arrangement shifts somewhat year-to-year based on enrollment, student dynamics, and the teachers.

How do Stevenson PACT children compare to other children when they reach middle school?

Stevenson PACT graduates are typically self-confident students with a practiced ability to interact with adults, work in teams and use a wide variety of resources and skills as they move through middle and high school. A significant proportion of former Stevenson PACT students are represented on the academic honor rolls, participate in accelerated programs, and are a positive part of their middle schools.

What types of enrichment activities does Stevenson PACT provide?

Stevenson PACT parents bring their own expertise into the classroom. Parents have implemented activities such as our intensive Arts Focus program, an educational garden, woodworking, dance, engineering projects, cooking, music and theatrical arts. Stevenson PACT students go on twice as many field trips as other schools in the district.

What is the Arts Focus program?

Arts Focus is an intensive arts program that offers Stevenson PACT children an additional 45 hours of art instruction per year beyond the standard district commitment. The program was conceived, designed and implemented by Stevenson PACT parents who volunteer their time extensively to make it happen. The program concludes each year with a professional-grade art exhibit during the last month of school.

The Arts Focus curriculum is designed to:

Substantially increase the number of hours the children participate in creative exploration.

Expose them to a much greater variety of art media than what the schools are able to provide.

Contribute enormously to the children's cognitive, creative, academic, and social development. The goal of this program is for the children to experience all phases of the creative process, with emphasis on the free expression of ideas rather than on simply creating facsimiles of pre-established end products.

What is the length of Stevenson PACT's day?

For first through fifth grades at Stevenson PACT, the regular school day lasts from 8:25 until about 3 pm. Kindergarten is a morning schedule, until 11:45 am.

Thursdays are minimum days and Stevenson PACT students, like all MVWSD elementary students, are dismissed at 12:10.

The school district sets the bell schedule; for all MVWSD schools see their website: http://www.mvwsd.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=423&Itemid=538

Is before-school and after-school care available?

Yes! There are a variety of choices, so we gave child care its own page so you can learn more details.

Are any extracurricular activities available?

Yes, we have a wealth of extracurricular activities for our students. While there is some variation from year to year, current after-school activities include chorus, chess club, folkloric dance, drama club, art class, engineering with Legos, soccer, and Mandarin language class.

Does Stevenson PACT organize social events?

Yes! The parents, children, and teachers of Stevenson PACT are a close-knit community and socialize together both informally and at organized events such as the annual Trunk-or-Treat, Moms' and Dads' Nights Out, Grandparents' Day, Rock Climbing, Ice Skating, Pumpkin Patch excursions, rocket launches, potlucks, summer picnics, game nights, PJ and movie nights, and barbecues.

What are the requirements for participation in Stevenson PACT?

Work in your child's classroom two hours per week
Serve on one committee (Publicity, Arts Focus, etc.)
One classroom "job" (coordinator, calendar, pet care, etc.)
Work in support of the school 18 hours a year (library, yard duty, etc.)
Attend a 10-hour course on aiding in the classroom (new parents only)
Chaperone or support two field trips

How are parents prepared to work in the classroom?

New parents who will be working in the classroom are required to attend a 10-hour training course. On-going "refresher courses" are offered to returning parents at various times through the year.

Do parents plan the curriculum?

No, Stevenson PACT teachers plan a curriculum which meets district and state requirements. However, parents are invited to initiate and implement enrichment activities in collaboration with teachers that support core curriculum.

My child is registered for a different Mountain View school, but I would like to change to Stevenson PACT.

Call the Enrollment/Attendance Coordinator, Amy LaGalante, at the District Office to make the change. Phone: 650 526-3581

How Is Stevenson PACT administered?

Stevenson PACT is administered by three leadership groups. Two of these comprise both parents and teachers and oversee day-to-day operations, and policy and curricula, respectively. The third team is composed of teachers and the school principal and manages educational requirements and professional development.

Does Stevenson PACT charge tuition?

No. Stevenson PACT is a public school, so it does not charge tuition. However, each year Stevenson PACT families are asked to make a donation of approximately $200 per child.

Who are our families?

Stevenson PACT families come from all sorts of backgrounds and many different communities around Silicon Valley, yet they hold a shared philosophy about how important it is to the child to provide a developmental and innovative learning environment that involves parents.

Our family situations vary greatly and include parents who both work out of the home, single parents, grandparents, and families with many children in Stevenson PACT at once.

What grades are accepting students?

Stevenson PACT is currently accepting students into all grades, as well as into the incoming Kindergarten class.

Where is The Stevenson PACT School located?

Starting in the 2009-2010 school year, PACT School has its own campus at the Stevenson school site on San Pierre Way.

My child won't start kindergarten for more than one year. What is the best way for me to get information about Stevenson PACT?

There are a lot of ways to meet Stevenson PACT families and learn more about our school. In the online world, you can join the FuturePactFamilies mailing list - it's a very instructive window on the world of registration, and the considerations and priorities that go into choosing a school.

Our Stevenson PACT newsletters have lots of information about current Stevenson PACT activities, our curriculum, and our teachers. The website is updated frequently, so visit often. Stevenson PACT offers recruiting-season social events like game night, where there are usually Stevenson PACT siblings the same age as your child. The annual Arts Focus exhibition in Mountain View City Hall is also a great place to meet Stevenson PACT families, and learn more about our award-winning Arts Focus program.

The very best way to learn about the program is through our recruiting events such as Info panels, coffee nights, and tours. The info panels are the most formal, explaining our teaching philosophy. Coffee nights are very informal, and a good place to talk in a small group or ask lots of questions. Tours tend to be a larger group setting, and are the only place you can see Stevenson PACT children at work with their teachers and classroom parents.