Flabob Global Transitions Program (9-12)

MISSION/VISION: OUR CLASSROOM IS THE WORLD

At Flabob Airport Preparatory Academy, our classroom is the world, and this particular world incorporates learning at a living, breathing airport, which allows students the unique opportunity to experience learning unlike any other.   We are a STEAM program that is infused with and inspired by aviation. Although we use aviation as a focus for our learners, our school is much more than that. Of course, we are the school for students who are interested in working in the field of aviation. But, we are also the school for students who want to become artists, computer scientists, lawyers, programmers, culinary artists, police officers, teachers, and so much more.

We believe that personalizing learning for our students is the key to igniting each student’s passion for learning through a multi-faceted approach to teaching. We personalize our approach for each student by collaborating with them, their parents and mentors, and each other in order to successfully discover each student’s career passion and create life-long learners who are involved members of their community.  Our high school is our vision of a Global Transitions Program, specializing in transportation technology, travel and cultures, and the science that connects us all while providing students targeted internships within the community, the opportunity to further explore their career goals within “Career Technical Education” courses, and a first experience attending college-level courses while still being supported by their high school teachers.

PERSONALIZED LEARNING

Each Flabob Airport Preparatory Academy student is valued as an individual. Teachers know each student both as a human being and as a learner. The learning environment is designed so that each student has time and space to pursue academic and personal learning goals through a variety of means. Authentic and real-world learning experiences are consistently prioritized over traditional textbook methods. Flabob Airport Preparatory Academy learners are empowered with knowledge of their preferred learning style, tools they can use to master a learning goal, and significant choices in the learning process.

Collaborating with their teacher, each student creates an individual learning path whereby s/he can attain measurable and achievable weekly and yearly goals (at least one year’s growth for students on or above grade level, 1.5 for students below grade level.)

It is vital that we personalize the learning for our students, ensuring that our educational philosophy is student-centered. By taking such an approach, we ensure that each individual child learns according to their unique learning style, which helps to maximize their potential. When the focus of learning is on each individual student’s interests and passions, they are empowered to learn.

GOAL SETTING

At the beginning of the year, each student sets academic and personal goals for the year. We discuss these individual goals with the students regularly, guiding, supporting, and modifying them as needed in order to be successful at reaching these goals. Knowing there is no one path towards any goal, we help support our students along their learning journey to a positive conclusion.

STUDENT COMMUNITY

Our students at Flabob Airport Preparatory Academy 6th-12th grade have many interests. They attend their CSU/UC-approved classes, partake in spirit days, celebrate during school dances, and collaborate on projects.  However, our students also have the opportunity to take college-level aviation classes onsite and build relationships with current and former pilots. They also learn about various careers from guest speakers.

All high school students take Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway classes that align with their career aspirations. Students select from course offerings in 13 different career fields.

At the Flabob Airport Preparatory Academy, we do not simply have a classroom comprised of four walls, windows, and one or two doors. Our classroom is also the community. Being a Global Transitions Program, we place authentic learning as a high priority. We prepare our students to pursue their future career goals by interning with employers in the community. These internships can take place at and around the airport, as well as in the local city and nearby cities. Our students get to explore their interests in the actual environments of the profession, learning skills that cannot be found in any classroom.

A DAY AT GLOBAL TRANSITIONS PROGRAM AT FAPA

Leilani is a 12th grader. She attends her learning sessions on Tuesday morning, taking classes in Calculus, Environmental Science,  English IV, and American Government. After lunch, Leilani reports to her internship at March Field Air Museum. Today she is acting as the docent with a visiting group of elementary students from a school on a field trip. She gives them a tour of the airport museum, describing the different planes and their use, occasionally telling a story about how that specific plane was used and who flew it.

When the class field trip is over, Leilani returns to FAPA where she takes her last San Bernardino Valley College aeronautics class.  Leilani is excited about this class because once she finishes, she will qualify for a Certificate in Airport Operations. Leilani does not have her pilot’s license yet but is only about a month away from getting it (before she even has her driver’s license!) Thanks to some of her previous classes (Aviation 1, Aviation 2, and Aviation 4).

Leilani has received a great deal of support and instruction in her chosen field. That, coupled with her being a part of the airport’s Young Eagles program, where she has received her actual flying lessons, is what took her down such an exciting and enriching life path. She knows that she has a bright future ahead of her as she also prepares to enter the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado after graduation.