Our Curriculum

Preparing students for a life-long love of learning

Core Knowledge, a collaborative and seamless K- 8 education program, has been chosen to augment the state specific standards of our schools.This integration will mean that the Core Knowledge curriculum will provide a solid coherent foundation for learning, while allowing flexibility to meet and exceed the state accountability standards.

The state standards and Core Knowledge are logically blended to provide unquestionable assurance that each student is meeting the basic education standards as set forth by the state curriculum and receiving the enrichment options that are the trademark of a well integrated program design.

The Core Knowledge guidelines offer students a strong base of content, which is sequenced to provide a solid background of knowledge. The specificity of the content eliminates the gaps and repetitions. Through Core Knowledge literature and in‐depth historical profiles, the curriculum affords those students who have not been fortunate enough to amass an enhanced knowledge base through experience the opportunity to gain insight into the world around them. Combined with the basics of a strong state curriculum, students will be given multiple opportunities to investigate the world enhancing their skills to critically assess their role in that world. Students who have been exposed to an experientially rich environment will find the Core Knowledge curriculum opens their world to in‐depth critical inquiry. The classrooms of our schools comprised of both heterogeneous and homogeneous student groups, will accentuate opportunities for student growth and enhance each student’s understanding of the philosophical and cultural differences that are part of their community, state, and world.

Core Knowledge provides the guidelines for teachers to accommodate all students at all levels. An array of resources are provided at all levels of learning. Limited English proficient (LEP), disabled students and students that enter the school below grade level will be accommodated with specific individual learning goals. Books written in the first language of the students may be made available to LEP students as well as books that are appropriate for their present grade level. Students identified as learning disabled will be provided the instruction and services per their Individual Education Plan (IEP).
The intent is to follow an inclusion model and to offer tutoring before and after school to focus on achievement.

Students entering below grade level will be expected to improve by one grade level each year and by year three in the school be performing on grade level. Ongoing assessment will take place in order to accommodate each student appropriately. Our goal is to create a school of inclusion to foster a sense that all students are an important part of this learning community, yet our strategies will be individualized to meet the needs of all students.

Core Knowledge lends itself to many methodologies, allowing teachers to utilize best practices and to teach with more confidence. This confidence will overflow into better classroom management and higher academic performance. Experienced teachers find that the addition of the Core Knowledge curriculum, through its design and extended resources (hard copy and technological), expands the opportunities they have for meeting the needs of each student.