Alice Birney Academy of International Studies promotes a positive learning environent for students through a variety of programs and practices. Our primary vehicle for this promotion is through the IB PYP Learner Profile and Attitudes.  Through our curriculum and schoolwide empphasis on character, we encourage students to be knowledgeable, principled, caring, open-minded, balanced and reflective inquirers, thinkers, communicators, and risk-takers.  We also recognize students who show the attitudes of appreciation, cooperation, curiosity, commitment, confidence, creativity, empathy, enthusiasm, independence,   integrity, respect and tolerance.   

Exemplary behavior is often recognized with positive comments and public recognition, and also occasionally with awards, stickers, reward time at the counseling center, and a mention in the weekly Birney Buzz newsletter. Students are honored at recognition assemblies, which are attended by students and families. The district counselor supports our teachers in using the Second Step 'violence-prevention' priogram which promtoes anger management and problem-solving through teaching soecific skills for children ti use when faced with difficult situations.  District policies and procedures can be found in the Facts for Parents handbook.  In addition, teachers make the parent-student handbook available to parents every September. 

Class Size

To ensure each student receives an appropriate level of individual attention and support, class sizes at Birney are kept as small as possible. In grades K-3, each class has a maximum of 20 students. This is possible in part through funding provided by California's K–3 Class Size Reduction program which began in 1996. In addition, part of our magnet school's commitment is to maintain upper grade classes at or about 25 students each. 

Diversity

The mixture of cultures and languages of Birney's students results in diverse classrooms and additional opportunities for learning, teamwork and appreciation of one another.