The Intellectual Virtues Academy (“Academy”) is a public, community-based, innovative high school in downtown Long Beach. Academy students ask questions and take risks, learn how to think critically and thoroughly, listen to other perspectives with an open-mind, and use perseverance to overcome challenges. We provide every student with a personalized approach that values their own interests, experiences, and backgrounds. Our learners bring curiosity, courage, dynamic personalities, productive struggle and excitement to the learning process. When we listen to our learners, connect to their interests, needs, and goals, we can create collaborative experiences that ignite curiosity, develop critical thinking skills, and unleash creative power. These characteristics truly make our school a unique place to belong.