Enrollment History

While there is no way to guarantee what waitlist movement will look like this year, below you can find the previous years' results and waitlist movement. 

2023-2024 School Year Waitlist :: Lottery held on March 31, 2023

Waitlist Offers Ended on March 26, 2024:

• 6th Grade: Enrollment for 6th Grade is full at this time. We ended on Waitlist #83. 
• 7th Grade: Enrollment for 7th Grade is full at this time. We ended on Waitlist #39.
• 8th Grade: Enrollment for 8th Grade is full at this time. We ended on Waitlist #5. 

2022-2023 School Year Waitlist :: Lottery held on April 1, 2022

Waitlist Offers Ended on December 22, 2023:

• 6th Grade: We ended on Waitlist #77. 
• 7th Grade: We ended on Waitlist #26.
• 8th Grade: We ended on Waitlist #41. 

Livescreen 2021-2022 6th Grade Lottery Results :: Lottery held on March 26, 2021 at 4pm

 Livescreen :: 21-22 7th Grade Lottery Results :: Lottery held on March 26, 2021 at 2pm

 Livescreen :: 21-22 8th Grade Lottery Results :: Lottery held on March 26, 2021 at 2pm

2020-2021 Lottery Admitted Students and Waitlist Results Below, held March 26, 2021

2019-2020 Lottery Admitted Students and Waitlist Results Below

2019-2020 6th-Grade Lottery Results — Held April 11, 2019 at 6pm

7th-Grade Lottery Results — Held April 11, 2019 at 2pm

8th-Grade Lottery Results — Held April 11, 2019 at 2pm

2018-2019 Lottery Admitted Students and Waitlist Results Below

 Previous Year's 2017-2018 Lottery (results below for comparison)

2016-2017 Lottery  

2015-2016 Lottery

Enrollment History
2019-2020: IVA's 7th Year. IVA continues at full enrollment welcoming 78 new 6th grade students. 
2018-2019: We welcome our sixth class of students. IVA is at full enrollment, with a school size of 234 students.
2017-2018: We welcome our fifth class of students. 
2016-2017: We welcome our fourth class of students, expanding slightly so that our incoming class of 6th graders has 78 students.
2015-2016: In our third year, IVA has 6th, 7th, and 8th grades totaling approximately 170 students. 
2014-2015: Our open second school year, adding another class of 6th graders to be a school size of approximately 112 students. 
2013-2014: Our first year, IVA enrolled 56 founding 6th graders. 

IVA Interest Information

Thanks for your interest in Intellectual Virtues Academy of Long Beach!

 IVA's Founding Class of 2014

We know that selecting a middle school is a thoughtful decision. We are excited to help you discover our school community and learn more about IVA's mission and curriculum. In this section of our website, we hope you can find everything you need to know about how to apply as an incoming 6th grader or transfer student, important dates and deadlines, lottery and waitlist procedures, and our Open House and Information Night events.

IVA operates as a charter school under the authorization of the Long Beach Unified School District and the State of California Department of Education. As a charter school, IVA is tuition-free, independently operated, non-sectarian, non-profit, and open enrollment to all middle schoolers, regardless of background.

Have questions about enrollment, the lottery procedures, or interest events?

Fill out this interest survey to be contacted by IVA!

How to Enroll

Click the Links Below to Access IVA's 2024-2025 Registration Flyers

Registration Flyer English  (Click here for Spanish)

Interested in Applying?
IVA is an public, free, non-sectarian charter school with no admission requirements. Any 6th, 7th, or 8th grader from any school district may apply. Applications may be submitted online (click here), or you can obtain a paper application by visiting our office. 

¿Interesado en aplicar?

IVA es una escuela charter pública, gratuita y no sectaria, sin requisitos de admisión. Cualquier estudiante de 6.º, 7.º u 8.º grado de cualquier distrito escolar puede postularse. Las solicitudes pueden enviarse en línea (haz clic aquí), o puedes obtener una solicitud en papel visitando nuestra oficina.

ចាប់អារម្មណ៍ក្នុងការដាក់ពាក្យ

IVA គឺជាសាលាធម្មនុញ្ញសាធារណៈ ឥតគិតថ្លៃ និងមិនមាននិកាយ ដោយមិនមានតម្រូវការចូលរៀន។ សិស្សថ្នាក់ទី 6 ទី 7 ឬទី 8 មកពីសាលារៀនណាមួយអាចដាក់ពាក្យបាន។ ពាក្យស្នើសុំអាចត្រូវបានដាក់ជូនតាមអ៊ីនធឺណិតនៅលើគេហទំព័ររបស់យើងក្រោមផ្ទាំង "ចូលរួម IVA"។ អ្នកក៏អាចទទួលបានពាក្យស្នើសុំក្រដាសដោយទស្សនា ឬទាក់ទងការិយាល័យរបស់យើង៖ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Open Enrollment Window for the Public Lottery
Open Enrollment is the time from mid-December through mid-March of the year prior to admission where families can apply and be entered into the Lottery. In the spring of each year a lottery is held if the number of applications exceeds the number of available spots. Those not selected in the lottery are added to IVA's waitlist, and will be notified when an open spot is available. We cannot guarantee a space for all interested students and, therefore, encourage all to also apply at their neighborhood middle school or another middle school of choice.

Applications are accepted throughout the year, but only those submitted during Open Enrollment are eligible to take part in the lottery drawing. Applications submitted outside of the Open Enrollment period are added to IVA's waitlist. The wait-list is refreshed each year so make sure to fill out a new application each year if a spot in admission is not received. 

 Admission Step-by-Step & Timeline

• Choose IVA: Although it's not required, we encourage to attend a school tour, an information night, or Open House to learn about and visit the school.
• Apply: Submit an application during Open Enrollment, which is anytime between the mid-December and mid-March. Those received during Open Enrollment will be entered into our public lottery. (Others will be added to IVA's wait-list.)
• Public Lottery: A public lottery drawing is typically scheduled for the beginning of April and is open to the public. Names are randomly chosen until available spaces are filled. Remaining names are placed on the wait-list in the order they are chosen.
• Notification of Admission: All applicants are notified of lottery results within 10 days of the drawing.
• Register: To secure the spot, students selected in the lottery drawing or admitted from the wait-list must return registration materials by the deadline.

Important Enrollment Dates by Month

• Early December Applications Released
• March - Applications for lottery due
• April - Public Lottery
• April - Notice of lottery results
• May - Registration due for students admitted in the lottery

 Periodo Para Entrar a la Lotería Publica

La inscripción abierta es el período entre mediados de diciembre y marzo del año antes de la matriculación, donde las familias pueden presentar su solicitud y participar en la Lotería. La Lotería se lleva acabo si el numero de solicitaciones excede el numero de espacios disponibles. Los estudiantes que no son seleccionados el día de la lotería, sera puesto en una lista de espera y notificados si un espacio sea disponible. No podemos garantizar un espacio para todos los estudiantes que tienen interés en nuestra escuela. Le sugerimos que también aplique a otra escuela secundaria.  

Cada solicitud que se reciba después de la ventana de inscripción, sera puesta en la lista de espera. 

Como Llenar Una Solicitud 

Visítanos en la oficina o llena una solicitud en linea. Si manda una solicitud por correo, favor indique la fecha y tiempo que lo recibió el correo postal. 

Matriculación Paso a Paso y Fechas Importantes

• Electa IVA: Visite uno de nuestros eventos, IVA CHOICE Nights o Open House entre Diciembre y Marzo. Tenemos una excursión de la escuela por semana. 
• Complete la solicitud: Complete la solicitud entre Diciembre y Marzo. 
• Atienda la lotería: Tenemos una lotería publica al final de Marzo. 
• Notificación de Admisión: Todos los solicitantes reciben un correo electrónico 10 dis después de la lotería.
• Registro: Para asegurar su espacio, los estudiantes deben matricularse en la ventana de matriculación. 

Meses Importancia
Diciembre- Se lanza la aplicación 
Marzo - Ultima fecha de entregar una solicitud 
Abril- Lotera publica y anuncio de los resultados
Mayo- Inscripción de los estudiantes que son admitidos 

Para mas información, llámenos (562) 912-7017. 

Enrollment Lottery

IVA's Admission Process

Due to an overwhelming interest and limited space in IVA's program, we conduct a random lottery drawing in the spring to determine the following year's incoming 6th-grade class and the order of the waitlist. A lottery will also be held to fill open seats in 7th grade and 8th grade classes and to place applicants on the waitlist. 

IVA's lottery is a live and online event, anyone is welcome to attend. Whether or not you attend, all applicants will receive notice of the results within 10 school days of the lottery. 

2024-2025 Lottery

This year's lottery was be held on April 12, 2024.  Lottery results were emailed to all participants on April 17, 2024. You can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to check your position on our waitlist. 

General applicant and acceptance numbers are listed in the table below: 

Lottery Videos

You can view the 6th grade lottery for the 2024-2025 academic year on our YouTube page or by clicking this link.

You can view the 7th & 8th grade lottery for the 2024-2025 academic year on our YouTube page or by clicking this link.

How Does the Lottery Work?  
Applications received between the December application opening and the March application deadline are entered into the Lottery. All applications turned in after the deadline are entered onto the waitlist in first come, first served order.

Tokens: IVA awards 3 possible tokens to applicants:

• 1 token for applying
• 1 token for LBUSD residence
• 1 token for elementary attendance area eligibility or individually qualifies for free or reduced price meals

*Eligibility for assigned elementary school is determined by the school having 55% or higher rate of students eligible for Free or Reduced price meals (FRL).

List of LBUSD schools eligible: 

Lottery Process 

• Each non-exempt student whose application is received by the March deadline will be entered into the lottery.
• The following students will be exempt from the lottery
• currently enrolled students
• siblings of currently enrolled IVA students
• children of staff
• At the 2pm Lottery, Grade 7 will be selected first, followed by Grade 8.
  We anticipate the first lottery will conclude by 3:00PM.
• The 6th Grade Lottery will begin at 3:00PM and is anticipated to run up to two hours.
  • Please note: families need not be present at the lottery in order to receive a spot in the school. 
• Token numbers will be emailed to applicants before the lottery, and lottery results will be sent within 10 days of the lottery.
• Families with multiple siblings applying to the same grade level (not one of whom is a currently enrolled IVA student) are given the option to enroll as a family unit or as individuals. If a family unit is drawn during the regular admission, the linked sibling will win the next available spot.
• When the available grade level spots are filled, the lottery will continue to form the order of the waitlist
• Applicants applying after the March deadline will be added to the waitlist after all lottery participants.
• Please direct any questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call our office at 562-912-7017.

Enrollment Complaint Process
California Education Code (EC) Section 47605(d)(4) allows a parent or guardian to submit a complaint to the charter school authorizer when a charter school discourages a pupil's enrollment, requires records before enrollment, or encourages a pupil to disenroll.

Lottery_Admissions_Complaint_Form_2024-2025.pdf

Información sobre la lotería: 

Las solicitudes recibidas entre el comienzo del proceso de solicitud en Diciembre y el final del proceso en Marzo, entrará en la lotería. Solicitudes recibidas después del Marzo, entraran en la lista de espera. 

La lotería del séptimo y octavo grado empieza a las 2:00 pm y la lotería del sexto grado empieza a las 3:00 pm. 

Fichas: IVA asignara 3 fichas por solicitante: 

• Una ficha por su solicitud 
• Una ficha por vivir entre el distrito de Long Beach
• Una fichar por elegibilidad del área escolar 

*Escuelas primarias que califican tienen a 55% o más estudiantes que califican para almuerzo gratis or reducido.  

Lista de escuelas que califican en el distrito de Long Beach: 

Nuestra lotería incluye las siguientes preferencias: 

• Estudiantes actuales students (exentos de la lotería)
• Hermanos/as de estudiantes actuales (exentos de la lotería)
• Hijos/as de maestros de IVA (exentos de la lotería)

El del día de la Lotería:

• A las 2 pm, se seleccionará el séptimo grado.
• La lotería del octavo grado seguirá inmediatamente después.
• Anticipamos que la lotería de séptimo y octavo grado terminara a las 3:00 pm. 
• La lotería del sexto grado comenzará a las 3:00 pm. Anticipamos que se tarde 2 horas. 
• No es requerido que las familias estén presente en el evento para recibir un espacio en la escuela

Proceso de la Lotería:

• Los números de ficha se enviarán por correo electrónico a los solicitantes antes de la lotería, y los resultados de la lotería se enviarán dentro de los 10 días posteriores a la lotería.
• Las familias con varios hermanos que solicitan el mismo nivel de grado (ninguno de los cuales es un estudiante de IVA actualmente inscrito) tienen la opción de inscribirse como unidad familiar o como individuos. Si se extrae una unidad familiar durante la admisión regular, el hermano vinculado ganará el próximo lugar disponible.
• Cuando se llenen los lugares de nivel de grado disponibles, la lotería continuará formando el orden de la lista de espera.
• Los solicitantes que presenten su solicitud después de la fecha límite de marzo se agregarán a la lista de espera después de todos los participantes de la lotería.
• Dirija cualquier pregunta a This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. o llame a nuestra oficina al 562-912-7017.

Proceso de quejas de inscripción

La Sección 47605(d)(4) del Código de Educación de California (EC) permite que un padre o tutor presente una queja al autorizador de la escuela chárter cuando una escuela chárter desalienta la inscripción de un alumno, requiere registros antes de la inscripción o alienta a un alumno a cancelar la inscripción.

Lottery Results

Waitlist Updates for the 2024-2025 School Year 

The 2024-2025 Annual Lottery was held on April 12, 2024.

Lottery Results will be sent directly to families no later than April 19, 2024, and registration will begin thereafter. To understand your results & talk through the registration or waitlist process, contact us by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or phone: 562-912-7017.

As of September 13, 2024:

• 6th Grade: Enrollment for 6th Grade is full at this time. We ended on Waitlist #124. 
• 7th Grade: Enrollment for 7th Grade is full at this time. We ended on Waitlist #4. 
• 8th Grade: Enrollment for 8th Grade is full at this time. We ended on Waitlist #10. 

When there is an available space in the school we will call families to offer the position in waitlist order. Sometimes, this call will come before the year begins, the first week of school, or during the first semester.

You may review our Enrollment History to get an idea of waitlist movement over the summer and during the school year. 

How does the waitlist work?

Applicants not accepted at the time of the lottery are placed on a waitlist according to their assigned lottery number. Waitlist applicants are admitted in order, pending openings and capacity. It is the policy of the school to fill openings until the end of January of each school year so that incoming students have the opportunity to make a strong transition into the culture and educational program. Subsequent applicants after the lottery cut off date are wait-listed on a first-come, first-served basis.  

• During the previous year and the summer prior, families have 2 business days from receiving a spot in the school to accept or decline and 5 business days from the time of the offer to finalize registration.
• During the school year, families have 24 hours from receiving a spot in the school to accept or decline the available spot and 48 hours from the time of the offer to finalize registration. Attendance is required within 3 days of registration or sooner.  

All applicants are welcome to our Summer Events at IVA. 

What is the transition like in the middle of the year?
Read a few comment from families making a decision to come to IVA mid-year:

• "Our daughter transferred into IVA in November. She was immediately welcomed by students and faculty who made her transition really smooth."

• "Last December, six months after my twins began middle school, we received a call from IVA to say that they had a space for my son. We had been on the wait-list for such a long time, had given up, but were told that there was an available spot unexpectedly. As a family of twins, we entered the lottery as a family unit and so both siblings were allowed to enter. My son was excited but not my daughter. With 24 hours to decide, we discussed it together and decided to make the move. And even with my daughter's hesitations, we have never looked back... IVA has proved to be a way better fit for both of my children. They have both adjusted and thrived in the new environment." 

Visit IVA

If you are considering joining Intellectual Virtues Academy Middle School, there are many ways for you to learn more: 

• Sign up for an IVA Campus Tour (available on alternating Tuesdays/Wedesdays until May)

• Fill out our interest survey and an IVA staff member will contact you directly

• Call or email the school with questions that you have: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 562-912-7017

• Attend an Information Night to hear from current students/staff (dates below)

Here are some important dates to be aware of:

December 3, 2024: 2025-26 Applications Released

December 10, 2024: Family CHOICE Info Night 

January 21, 2025: Family CHOICE Info Night

February 25, 2025: STUDENT CHOICE Info Night (led by IVA Student Leaders for incoming students)

March 6, 2025: Open House

March 14, 2025: Applications Due (to be entered into lottery. After March 15, applications received will be added to the waiting list in the order they are received)

April 4, 2025: Annual Public Lottery

No RSVP is required for these events. Everyone is welcome and students are highly encouraged to attend so that they can experience IVA! 

Si estás considerando unirte a la Academia de Virtudes Intelectuales Middle School (IVA), hay muchas maneras de aprender más:

• Inscríbete en un recorrido por el campus de IVA (disponibles los martes/miércoles alternos hasta mayo).

• Llena nuestra encuesta de interés y un miembro del personal de IVA se pondrá en contacto contigo directamente.

• Llama o envía un correo electrónico a la escuela con tus preguntas: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 562-912-7017.

• Asiste a una Noche Informativa para escuchar a estudiantes y personal actual (fechas a continuación).

Fechas importantes a tener en cuenta:

• 3 de diciembre de 2024: Se publican las solicitudes para 2025-26.
• 10 de diciembre de 2024: Noche Informativa de Elección Familiar (CHOICE).
• 21 de enero de 2025: Noche Informativa de Elección Familiar (CHOICE).
• 25 de febrero de 2025: Noche Informativa de Elección Estudiantil (CHOICE), liderada por los líderes estudiantiles de IVA para los nuevos estudiantes.
• 6 de marzo de 2025: Open House.
• 14 de marzo de 2025: Fecha límite para solicitudes (para entrar al sorteo. Las solicitudes recibidas después del 15 de marzo se agregarán a la lista de espera en el orden en que se reciban).
• 4 de abril de 2025: Sorteo Público Anual.

No se requiere confirmación de asistencia para estos eventos. ¡Todos son bienvenidos y se anima a los estudiantes a asistir para que puedan experimentar IVA!

Apply

Hello Interested IVA Family!

Our application for the 2025-2026 school year will open on December 3, 2024 and remain open through March 14, 2025. Please return to this page after December 3 in order to complete your application.

In the meantime, you can review all of our campus tour and info session information here.

If you are interested in applying for the current school year, please contact our front office for information about being placed on our waitlist: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (562) 912-7017

Nuestra solicitud para el año escolar 2025-2026 estará abierta desde el 3 de diciembre de 2024 y permanecerá disponible hasta el 14 de marzo de 2025. Por favor, regrese a esta página después del 3 de diciembre para completar su solicitud.

Mientras tanto, puede revisar toda la información sobre nuestros recorridos por el campus y sesiones informativas aquí.

Si está interesado en solicitar para el año escolar actual, comuníquese con nuestra oficina principal para obtener información sobre cómo ser colocado en nuestra lista de espera.

កម្មវិធីរបស់យើងសម្រាប់ឆ្នាំសិក្សា 2025-2026 នឹងបើកនៅថ្ងៃទី 3 ខែធ្នូ ឆ្នាំ 2024 ហើយនៅតែបើករហូតដល់ថ្ងៃទី 14 ខែមីនា ឆ្នាំ 2025។ សូមត្រលប់ទៅទំព័រនេះវិញបន្ទាប់ពីថ្ងៃទី 3 ខែធ្នូ ដើម្បីបំពេញពាក្យសុំរបស់អ្នក។

ក្នុងពេលជាមួយគ្នានេះ អ្នកអាចពិនិត្យមើលឡើងវិញនូវដំណើរកម្សាន្តក្នុងបរិវេណសាលារបស់យើង និងព័ត៌មានវគ្គព័ត៌មាននៅទីនេះ។

ប្រសិនបើអ្នកចាប់អារម្មណ៍ក្នុងការដាក់ពាក្យសម្រាប់ឆ្នាំសិក្សាបច្ចុប្បន្ន សូមទាក់ទងការិយាល័យខាងមុខរបស់យើងសម្រាប់ព័ត៌មានអំពីការត្រូវបានដាក់ក្នុងបញ្ជីរង់ចាំរបស់យើង៖

Final Day for Semester Assignments

The semester ends on Thursday, January 25th and with two weeks left teachers need to focus only on final assignments. Any late, missing, or past deadline assignments will not be able to count for credit after this date. 

Lunch Order Form

Spirit Wear

Fit-A-Thon t-shirts are currently available! Download the order form PDF below and return information and payment to the PTA box in the IVA office. Orders must be received by Thursday, March 29th (right before the start of Spring Break)

IVAOrderForm2018FitAThon2up.pdf

TDAP Vaccination Requirements

More About Vaccinations in California

Under a new law known as SB 277, beginning January 1, 2016 exemptions based on personal beliefs, including religious beliefs, will no longer be an option for the vaccines that are currently required for entry into child care or school in California. Most families will not be affected by the new law because their children have received all required vaccinations. Personal beliefs exemptions on file for a child already attending child care or school will remain valid until the child reaches the next immunization checkpoint at kindergarten (including transitional kindergarten) or 7th grade.

For more information about SB 277, please see the Frequently Asked Questions available at: http://www.shotsforschool.org/laws/sb277faq/.

For more information about school immunization requirements and resources, please visit the California Department of Public Health’s website at www.shotsforschool.org, or contact your local health department or county office of education.

Thank you for helping us to keep our children and community healthy.

**NOTE to current 6th grade students (2016-2017). The TDAP booster is required for 7th grade. Please submit evidence of your TDAP booster by May 1, 2017.

 *Note to current IVA 6th grade students with a personal beliefs exemption. Due to the change to the law as explained above, you will need to meet all requirements for children ages 7-17. In other words you will need to "catch up" on vaccinations. See #13 from the FAQs below:

13. What will happen in future years when children with a prior personal beliefs exemption enter their next grade span in primary or secondary school (typically kindergarten or 7th grade)?

Children with a valid personal beliefs exemption filed before 2016 who enter a new grade span will have to meet all age-appropriate immunization requirements for admission into primary or secondary school (K-12th grade) (see www.shotsforschool.org/k-12/) or be enrolled in an independent study program with no classroom-based instruction or in a home-based private school (see question #3).

In addition, all immunization requirements for age and grade will need to be met before entering 7^th grade.

Therefore, in order to begin 7th grade, children who had a valid personal beliefs exemption filed before 2016 upon entry between kindergarten and 6th grade need to meet all requirements for children 7-17 years old listed at www.shotsforschool.org/k-12/ (e.g., polio, MMR, chickenpox and primary series for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis), including the 7th grade requirements for Tdap and 2 doses of MMR.

Thank you!

Thank you for supporting IVA Middle School. Your participation means so much to our school—staff, faculty, and teachers!

 You can keep track of our Annual Family Fund
progress on the banners in the Foxes' corner!

You Found Us!

 Look at you! Enjoying a beverage and maybe some 'zza, playing card games, and supporting a local business, Dutch's Brewhouse! Make sure to say "Hi" to Jason, Adrian, or whoever is pouring your drinks...

We are Intellectual Virtues Academy (IVA), and we're responsible for leaving behind this card deck. We're located right up the street from Dutch's and we are a free, public, charter middle school, serving all students in grades 6 through 8. If you're interested in a tight-knit middle school experience that aims to develop deep critical thinking, hit us up. We can't wait to hear from you! 

What students are saying

IVA_2016-2017_Mid-Year_Student_Survey_Results.pdf

Alumni Feedback - Founding Class of 2016 Alumni Survey Results

Alumni_Survey_Class_of_2016.pdf

 Hannah Wells at IVA's 2016 Gala

 Comments from an Annual Student Survey:

“IVA does a wonderful job of pushing students to move past their struggle.” 


“I think IVA lets students interact really well. I like that classroom instruction isn't just teachers talking, but mostly interactive and fun. I like how there's a really good environment and I feel safe here.”

“I think IVA creates a great environment for learning and being able to admit mistakes and learn to learn without pressure and fear of getting questions wrong.”

“The staff treats the students how they treat each other.”

“I think that IVA does a good job of helping us dig deeper and understand why.”

“I think that IVA does very well in helping student express themselves even when they might feel embarrassed. IVA makes it so that making a mistake in class will NOT make a student less popular or make them feel stupid because they say that mistakes can be helpful.”

“We have a safe place here and I'm excited to go to school everyday.”

“IVA, I believe from my experience does well at making everyone comfortable and have confidence when admitting when you need help or when you don't understand. They also build up your confidence. Before I came to IVA I would never raise my hand because I was scared but now I don't care.”

“I can have a good relationship with the teachers unlike my elementary school, where I was pretty much afraid of all my teachers.”

“I think that IVA pushes the students and keeps hope in them very well.”

“IVA helps us be ourselves.”

“I think IVA teaches students to understand why they're learning what they're learning.”

"The way I have thought this year is flabbergasting!!! I have never been so curious in why Bilbo Baggins doesn't tell Thorin about a stone or if Greeks are true democrats and I never ever thought that i could run a negative split which I just did an hour ago. This school is incredibly challenging, curiosity enthused, so open to new ideas, and the great part is we don't have to be embarrassed to ask questions or wear something crazy or want to do something that no one has ever thought … The school doesn't shut us down or laugh they encourage us to be ourselves.”

“I think that IVA is great at providing students with learning opportunities and having the kids learn with a deeper understanding rather than shoving facts down kids' throats and forcing them to regurgitate it onto a test paper.”

"Students are able to be some kind of their own 'teacher' in the class, meaning new ideas can be formed and lessons taught by kids as well as adults. Sometimes I see IVA as a giant Socratic Seminar where everyone can pitch in their voice so agreements and disagreements can be formed."

What parents are saying ...

Parent_Survey_LCAP_2016-2017.pdf

Comment from families learning more about IVA:

• A quick and heartfelt thanks from the three of us for a wonderful tour of IVA today. My kids and I were completely blown away by what you have talked about and shown us in the classrooms. The school's philosophy of education resonates with me greatly, and it was so heartwarming to hear you put in words the qualities we all want for our children to develop as lifelong learners.

  I was becoming familiar with IVA by visiting your amazingly informative website, but the whole school became "alive" in the minds of my children. They had actually arrived somewhat skeptical this morning, but by the end of the tour, they were impressed and left with a desire to enroll immediately. We understand the enrollment process will require some luck and patience, but our disposition is positive and optimistic. Thank you for your warm welcome, and for creating a culture of inquiry, openness and acceptance within the whole school.

Comment from families making a decision to come to IVA mid-year:

• "Our daughter transferred into IVA in November. She was immediately welcomed by students and faculty who made her transition really smooth."
• "Last December, six months after my twins began middle school, we received a call from IVA to say that they had a space for my son. We had been on the wait-list for such a long time, had given up, but were told that there was an available spot unexpectedly. As a family of twins, we entered the lottery as a family unit and so both siblings were allowed to enter. My son was excited but not my daughter. With 24 hours to decide, we discussed it together and decided to make the move. And even with my daughter's hesitations, we have never looked back... IVA has proved to be a way better fit for both of my children. They have both adjusted and thrived in the new environment." 

Comments from our Annual Parent Survey:

• “Teachers communicate their excitement over learning through their enthusiasm and engagement. Students are encouraged and supported. The overall environment is uplifting.”
  
  
• “Teachers and staff are so caring, helpful and have the best interest of the kids at heart at all times. IVA is such a wonderful environment for the kids. Through hearing the kids talk after school they all love IVA and enjoy all the teachers … I truly appreciate the dedication and spirit of all the teachers and staff. Mrs. Bryant is such a leader and her dedication shows through the love the students have for her and the school. I'm around a lot of the students at IVA and I have never heard one student say that they do not like IVA, they all say they love school and all of their teachers and all the staff.
  
  
• “Teachers are thorough in explaining concepts and make sure all students understand. I like the atmosphere of genuine kindness the school demonstrates by example. Also the virtues instilled in students are a strong foundation for the future."
• “My child is developing a good understanding of a growth mindset. At the beginning of the year she would cry about not being good at math and now she has a much healthier view of the issue and is more focused on what she needs to do to get better rather than the ‘just being bad at it’ part. The focus on learning, thinking and sharing in all the classes and in advisory has been excellent.”
  
  
• “I love that the school makes me feel welcome as a parent to talk to them. So many times a teacher or principal at a middle school does not welcome you for conversation about your child's education. I love that the teachers are so knowledgeable about the intellectual virtues. [Our child] has always been a fabulous student, but I had no idea how she could excel in every subject until she had wonderful teachers at IVA.”
  
  
• “The teachers are available and caring. They seem to know the students … The afterschool clubs are a great way to introduce the students to a variety of subjects and skills. The class size is a plus and I feel like the students definitely will benefit from getting more teacher attention and interaction. The events put on for incoming students are great because it gives students a chance to feel comfortable and meet students ahead of time.”

Email Communication During the School Year: 

• "I had to just stop for a minute to let you know that IVA has blown my expectations for my daughter out of the water. Her life has changed drastically and I have to pinch myself that this is my kid. The kid that comes home loving and talking about math, the kid that was so touched by the Holocaust she did her own research, the kid that came home so stoked to do her Science project, she hyper-focused on it for two days straight to finish it a month early. The kid that feels loved and nurtured and understood. These to me are so priceless. She loves the students, all of her teachers and all of her classes. I hope you understand that your school has greatly enhanced the quality of life of my daughter and because of that, our entire family. I can't express the amount of gratitude I have."

• "Thank you for a very valuable and exhilarating experience during Back-to-School Night. We were thrilled to be exposed to such an academic environment. (It brought us back to our college days.) All of our son’s teachers were professional, articulate and revealed deep knowledge about their disciplines. They were also funny. The activities they provided gave us a taste of what our son’s day must be like. Freedom to explore, to connect and to enjoy learning are rarely seen in middle schools nowadays, but we observed and participated in all of these and more.
  
  We understand that our son will need to form new habits so that he becomes more confident in approaching adults for assistance. We are grateful that the school’s schedule allows for many opportunities to interact with teachers – we love office hours! We are confident that his fixed mindset will be replaced by a growth mindset in such a safe and caring surrounding. Each time we pick up our son from school and ask about his day, his response has been very positive. We get a lump in our throats when we think about how much more IVA will support his growth and it is only the first month of school! Thank you all for your warmth, kindness and care. Our middle schooler appreciates every minute."
  
  
• "Our son took himself to bed early last night just so Tuesday morning and school would come faster. Normally he's the kid that fights with you every night about bedtime, even thought it's the same time every night, and he is asleep 5 minutes after he hits the pillow, but he still puts up a fight. So to want to go to bed just so school would get here faster.... I was speechless, and that doesn't happen often!!!! Last year was a very very hard year. So many things were wrong about it. The worst was seeing this light in our son that he carries around with him, go out. It was so hard to watch, and have no way to fix it. We have already seen the light in him return and we couldn't be more grateful!"

Art in a Minute @ IVA

Advisory in a Minute @ IVA

Physical Education in a Minute @ IVA

Donate Directly to the School

Donate to help support IVA! Thank you for considering a donation directly to the school. 

As a non-profit public school and independent charter school, Intellectual Virtues Academy receives state and local funding to cover most of the school's basic needs. Students at IVA are invited into three formative years of deep care, connection, and growth. This work is possible only with the support of our community. 

HOW DO I CONTRIBUTE?

1. Via Paypal click here

2. Via Venmo click here

3. Check made out to "Intellectual Virtues Academy of Long Beach"

4. Company Gift Match / Estate Plan. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details.

WHAT DOES YOUR ANNUAL DONATION DO FOR IVA?

Your annual donation allows our personalized school program to:

• MAINTAIN SMALL CLASS SIZE
  • 26:1 class size in each grade level - 10 fewer students than in local schools
• MAINTAIN OUR FULL TIME COUNSELOR & BEHAVIOR SUPPORT STAFF for personal and ongoing social-emotional support implementing restorative practices.
  • Counselor ratios in local schools are over 600:1.
• TECHNOLOGY 
  • Each student has a chromebook checked out we maintain & support updated technology for teachers.
• CLASSROOMS 
  • Maintain clean and bright classrooms with furniture, paint and light
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 
  • Innovative and ongoing for teachers, staff and Advisors

• STUDENTS 
  • 234 students who are supported to learn and live well

There are hundreds of reasons to love Intellectual Virtues Academy. Your support helps us create a real, lasting impact in the lives of 234 students who are growing into the adults who engage the world with curiosity and thoughtfulness, know themselves, and live well. 

IVA has provided education to over 1000 students in Long Beach since 2013.