General Studies
English Language Arts
Our approach to literacy assures that our students both acquire essential skills and develop a love of literature. In the early grades, we teach decoding strategies, spelling patterns, and vocabulary. Throughout the grades, we teach literature as a central component of the reading program so that our students learn to identify and appreciate different genres of literature.
We encourage our students to express their ideas through both writing and speaking. Our structured writing program teaches students to approach writing as a process in which they brainstorm ideas, then draft, revise, and edit their work. Students learn paragraph and essay structures, which together form a strong foundation for expository writing. They also learn to present their writings orally, developing good rhetorical skills as well.
Our students perform very well on standardized tests, and when they reach high school, many place into advanced and honors courses and programs.
Social Studies
The elementary social studies sequence develops from self to family, community, United States history and global studies. In middle School, students study ancient civilization, (Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome). Seventh grade begins the year with the European Middle Ages and Renaissance eras. Midway through the year, social studies crosses the ocean to discover the land that would become the United States. Eighth grade continues American Studies with a more advanced analysis of U.S. history from the Constitution to modern times. All of the Social Studies units are enhanced by trips, research and writing projects, the arts, technology and integrated literature units. In middle school, Jewish history is integrated into the social studies curriculum.
Mathematics
The math program emphasizes the mastery of skills and the understanding of mathematical concepts. Manipulative and concrete objects are incorporated into classroom lessons to enable students to concretely explore and recognize mathematical paradigms. Use of technology is incorporated in the program. Students study geometry, patterns, probability, logic and number work throughout the years.
Science
Children have a natural curiosity about the world. Through specific explorations, students develop their skills to observe, hypothesize, experiment, record data and draw conclusions. All classes in the school have a laboratory science program. Topics span the biological, physical, environmental, earth and chemical sciences. An honors enrichment program – E2K – enrolls middle school students who are advanced in math and science.
Physical Education
Physical fitness, skill acquisition, teamwork and sportsmanship are the core of our physical education program. Each class has PE twice a week. Throughout the year, students are engaged in movement activities, relays, drills, skills building activities, cooperative games and team sports.