Curriculum
The curriculum includes math, science, social studies, language arts, fine arts, physical education, music, foreign language, computer studies, and others. Optional classes in the after-school enrichment program are offered in activities ranging from drama, dance, and science to sports and martial arts.
There is a system of "mentoring" within the school where older children work with and assist younger children, designed to foster the social development and learning of both older and younger students.
The school teaches a phonics-based reading program, beginning with phonemic awareness in preschool. Most students start to read in kindergarten and read classic novels by 4th and 5th grade. Students begin writing short stories in kindergarten and by third grade are usually articulate and familiar with writing.
Teachers often make use of projects, science experiments, hands-on learning, and monthly field trips. Students also participate in the Jason project, the National Geography Bee, and a school wide science fair each spring. In 2008, students from the school won laptop computers by placing first in the biomedical-themed game show competition at the annual technology youth summit sponsored by the Patriots Technology Training Center.
On the SAT (Stanford Achievement Test), a national standardized test, the school is in the top 10% nationally.
Read more about this topic: New Hope Academy
Famous quotes containing the word curriculum:
“If we focus exclusively on teaching our children to read, write, spell, and count in their first years of life, we turn our homes into extensions of school and turn bringing up a child into an exercise in curriculum development. We should be parents first and teachers of academic skills second.”
—Neil Kurshan (20th century)