Happenings
AB 130
Recent legislation requires that we inform you of your right to enroll your student in either an in-person instruction setting in our local district school or in an independent study program for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction during the 2021-2022 school year. The traditional independent study program for students in grades 9-12 in the Newport Mesa Unified School District is offered through Monte Vista High School. NMUSD also has the Cloud School which is a virtual program that is available for students who would like an online learning option.
Parents choosing an Independent Study option have the right to request a pupil-parent-educator conference meeting before enrollment to review the academic program delivery, student support, enrollment process, specific academic expectations as well as the withdrawal process.
Along with many of our program support opportunities, each Independent Study program will offer:
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A plan to provide opportunities for at least weekly synchronous instruction for all pupils throughout the school year. Synchronous instruction means classroom-style instruction or designated small group or one-on-one instruction delivered in person, or in the form of internet or telephonic communications, and involving live two-way communication between the teacher and pupil. Synchronous instruction shall be provided by the teacher of record.
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A plan to transition pupils whose families wish to return to in-person instruction from independent study expeditiously, and, in no case, later than five instructional days.
If you’d like to learn more about Independent Study options please contact your student’s assigned assistant principal:
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Heidi McDowell - 7th grade students: hmcdowell@nmusd.us or 949-515-3358
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Bonnie Hinton - 8th grade students: bhinton@nmusd.us or 949-515-3340
About Us
Ensign Intermediate School was built in 1949. It is named after Horace Ensign, the district's first principal-teacher in 1919. Our school mascot is the Seabees. Much like the Navy's Seabees, we, too, are dedicated to constructing the foundation necessary to ensure democracy. The school is located at 2000 Cliff Drive within the city of Newport Beach and serves seventh and eighth graders. Approximately 1,200 students attend our school and are evenly distributed between the two grade levels.
Ensign students come from a variety of public and private elementary schools from both Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. Newport Elementary on the Balboa Peninsula, Newport Heights Elementary in Newport Heights, and Mariners Elementary in Newport Beach feed Ensign from the city of Newport Beach, while Kaiser, Rea, and Whittier Elementary schools send students from their Costa Mesa locations. Collectively, our feeder schools provide Ensign with a rich and diverse student population. Eventually, our students will make their way to Newport Harbor High School.
Coursework includes the core classes mathematics, history, language arts, science and physical education. Honors courses in language arts and mathematics are available. Both enrichment and intervention programs support the needs of students across the academic spectrum. To enrich our academic programs, we have a number of extracurricular programs including 23 clubs, year-round athletic opportunities, and a wide variety of elective offerings.
Ensign values the use of cutting edge technology to enhance student learning. Classrooms contain Smartboards, document cameras, and short-throw projectors to enhance teaching. In addition, each student is issued a Chromebook for the school year to utilize for all academic needs. The 1:1 ratio of students to Chromebooks allows our teaching staff to incorporate technology learning accelerators into daily instruction.
