Eastern Sierra Academy

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Eastern Sierra Academy (ESA) is an extremely small (22 students and four teachers), technology-based, college-preparatory public high school serving the town of Bridgeport, California, USA. In Newsweek magazine's Challenge index ranking of America's 27,000 public high schools, ESA was ranked 19th in the nation and 1st in California based on its 2004 performance^[1]. In 2003, the school was ranked 7th in the nation for their performance in the 2002^[2].

[edit] Teaching

Students at Eastern Sierra Academy participate in a curriculum that prepares them for post-secondary education. Parents, students, and school staff all have responsibilities and are accountable to one another in order to have maximum success for each student.

Students are required to master each subject with a “B” or better in order to receive credit for course work. If students cannot maintain this average, they are asked to transfer to another high school in the district. Struggling students are given opportunities for assistance. The school has high API scores and high average SAT scores.

With a student body of 22 and four teachers, ESA has sought other avenues to provide experts in each curricular field: distance learning classes via satellite and internet AP courses. ESA's three staff members teach all core curriculum including AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP Government, AP US History and AP Economics.

Students from the school have given presentations to professional organizations, received awards for their projects, and have presented workshops at conferences.