Early Light Academy Charter School in Daybreak Welcomes Inaugural Class
11709 SOUTH VADANIA DRIVE
SOUTH JORDAN, UTAH 84095
MIA PRAZEN
EARLY LIGHT ACADEMY
PRESIDENT
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KYLE BENNETT
KENNECOTT LAND/RIO TINTO
ADVISOR, COMMUNICATIONS
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South Jordan, Utah—Early Light Academy, the first charter school in Daybreak and the third school to be opened in the community, is now in session. The new public school welcomed its inaugural class of 675 students on August 31, 2009. Early Light serves students in kindergarten through the eighth grade and will cap enrollment at 750 with the addition of ninth grade in fall 2010.
“We are excited about the addition of Early Light Academy to the Daybreak community and the high-quality learning experience it will provide students,” said Kennecott Land President Don Whyte. “Today represents a big step toward achieving our long-term goal of supporting, enhancing and creating educational opportunities in Daybreak, and builds on an already solid educational foundation in the community.”
Envisioned by a group of Daybreak residents, Early Light emphasizes the study of history. “Understanding history is one of the greatest keys to success that we can offer our students,” stated Wade Glathar, Academic Director. “In a world constantly in flux with new innovations, the study of history will provide the context and problem-solving tools necessary to help our students adapt to and excel in the professions and technologies of tomorrow.”
The study of history will be complimented with an Arts Integration Program developed by teachers, parent volunteers and in cooperation with the College of Fine Arts Youth Arts Division at the University of Utah. “Elementary students will be engaged in artistic experiences ranging from creative dance and drama in the younger grades to African dance, hip hop performance and poetry in older grades,” said Glathar. “Middle school students will take part in creating their own animated short films in stop-motion format. All projects tie into our history focus and are aligned with Utah State Core.”
As technologically innovative school, each Early Light classroom is equipped with a laptop, projector and SmartBoard technology. Online lessons are developed with a multi-sensory approach to accommodate various learning styles and are sequenced so that students build upon what they already know. “If used correctly, technology can enhance learning,” said Glathar. “A flash presentation can teach a concept that would otherwise take paragraphs, maybe even pages, along with several illustrations to explain.”
With no set school boundaries and acceptance granted through a lottery process, Early Light serves students from multiple communities including South Jordan, Herriman, Riverton, West Jordan, Bluffdale, Copperton and as far away as Salt Lake City, Murray, Sandy, Draper and Lehi.
As part of the Daybreak Community, Early Light’s campus was built to create a comfortable learning environment by taking advantage of sustainable components. Distinguished by its colorful windows, the school covers a 58,000 square foot space and is comprised of two separate buildings with 30 classrooms on a six-acre site. The facility takes advantage of passive solar heat, incorporates evaporative cooling
to save energy and utilizes natural light, which has been shown to increase student learning. The significant amount of glass on the south side provides greater access to light and provides beautiful views of the Wasatch Mountain Range. Additionally, classroom ceilings are sloped to allow greater penetration of light, reducing the number of required lamps in the lighting fixtures and fixtures themselves.
The indoor gymnasium’s air displacement system eliminates odors and improves air quality. Low VOC paints and materials with high-recycled content are utilized through both buildings. A white reflective roof membrane reduces heat effects, which can alter microclimates in the larger area of the school. Outdoor planting and teaching areas will also be available to enhance student learning. Plantings are all native species or drought-tolerant varieties, and the irrigation system utilizes highly-efficient emitters and drop systems for reduced water use.
About Early Light Academy
Early Light Academy is a public charter school located in the Daybreak Community of South Jordan. Established by a group of Daybreak residents, ELA received approval from the Utah State Office of Education on May 9, 2008 and opened on August 31, 2009. Early Light emphasizes historical inquiry, which necessitates active thinking from students, and provides the context within which students will be called upon to solve the world’s challenges as tomorrow’s leaders.
www.earlylightacademy.org
About Kennecott Land Company
KLC was established by Rio Tinto in April 2001 to develop surplus mining land. Daybreak is the first testament to that vision. Daybreak is situated on 4,126 acres in South Jordan City where 20,000 homes and up to 13 million square feet of commercial space are planned. At KLC, sustainable development is at the heart of every business decision by balancing the complex interaction of environmental, economic and social factors. Kennecott Land does this in a way that protects and strengthens what matters most to our community: strong and safe neighborhoods, quality education, a healthy and renewable environment, and a vibrant local economy.
www.kennecottland.com
www.daybreakutah.com
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