Core Curriculum
English / Language Arts
Students learn to think clearly and to express their thoughts in speech and writing. Literature is carefully selected and incorporates reading, comprehension, writing, grammar and spelling. Essay, Book Report and Research Paper writing are taught through our unique "Visual Design" approach and are combined with multimedia to facilitate a fully integrated approach to learning.
Mathematics
Students are given an understanding of logic, problem solving and deductive reasoning as related to everyday life. Through the distinctive "Aubacus System", emphasis is placed on understanding principles and methods, rather than on "meaningless" memorization.
Science
Students learn to develop and understand cause-effect relationships. Through experimentation and study, they learn to question, formulate and support a point of view. They evaluate findings and learn to draw conclusions. The basic structure of the science program is the application of the "scientific method", not only to science, but also to problem solving in life.
Social Studies
Students gain greater insight into the world through its social, political, geographic and biological aspects. This is accomplished through field trips, art, creative writing and hands-on experience.
Computers
All students work on computers, whether in English, Math, Science, Social Studies or Reading. Our computer programmers and staff collaborate to reinforce spelling, logic and problem solving skills, hand-eye coordination and following directions. Through learning how to access and use the internet, students gather information to write essays, book reports and research papers. Students are also exposed to and taught typing skills; word processing; visual and audio presentations; and spreadsheets.
Reading/Writing
Students are tutored and taught how to decipher and comprehend the graphic code of language. Both Impress and Choral Reading are built into the daily program. Students learn how to write descriptive, narrative and expository paragraphs; essays; letters; book reports and research papers.
Ancillary Programs
Art
Through multimedia, students are encouraged to create and express feelings and ideas generated from curricula and labs.
Drama
Students participate in school plays where they learn pragmatics – reading body language, facial expressions and social cues. They learn to wait their turn to speak or act, to express themselves appropriately, and to work together as a team to accomplish a common goal.
Communication
Students are expected to participate in some form of drama, whether through school plays, class plays, monologues, debates or class speeches. Our communications program teaches students effective communication techniques and how to achieve social success by using them.
Physical Education
Designed and developed by experts in the sports and educational fields, our sports program incorporates the fundamentals of games, sportsmanship, team spirit and cooperation in a non- competitive environment.
Social Skills
Students participate in Social Skills classes that promote self-esteem, friendships, conflict resolution, age appropriate interaction etc. These classes involve group discussions and worksheets; and follows a Kentwood designed curriculum.
Other Humanities - Music, Art, Philosophy, Poetry (on a rotating basis)
Students explore the history of music, art, philosophy and poetry as a means of communication – and how the humanities are related to social issues.
In music the students learn about the Gregorian Chant, moving through Baroque and Classical music all the way through to Contemporary Pop.
In art, students are exposed to all periods of art (and the commensurate artists), including Renaissance, Baroque, Romanticism, Impressionism etc. Students engage in producing their own artwork that ties into each specific period.
In philosophy, students discuss rules and laws that govern societies, and how to successfully co-exist in these societies. Through different philosophers like Locke, Hobbes, Plato, Machiavelli and others, students learn to examine their own behaviors, to come up with class and school rules, and the art of successful social integration.
In Poetry, students compare and contrast various styles of poems, including haikus, limericks, and sonnets. They are taught about different poets and ultimately produce their own poetry book.
Field Trips
Field Trips are coordinated in conjunction with study projects, but may also be for social integration purposes. They may include the theater, museums, fairs, concerts and festivals.
Remedial Labs
Students who require additional support for either Language Arts or Mathematics may be placed in the Remedial Lab for those academic sessions only. The remedial lab offers:
- Small group tutoring
- Individualized instruction within a group framework
- Individualized curriculum support
Advanced Placement
Students who excel in either Language Arts or Math may be placed in a higher group for those academic sessions only. Advanced placement offers:
- Continued improvement on student strengths
- Continued academic challenges to gifted students
Advanced Placement has proven highly successful for the bright student who is bored within the classroom.
