4.0 CURRICULUM
Our curriculum and learning programs are Interventions-Based. These programs provide instruction that is personalized, has high expectations, and addresses the unique learning styles of our students. The textbooks feature larger fonts, shorter chapters, and a reduced workload on activity pages.
Our program is organized into self-contained, multi-grade classrooms that consist of 4 tiers. Students are placed into each tier as determined by their academic levels, age and grade. These Tiers consist of Primary Elementary, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary and the Middle School Program. Students transition from one tier to the next, as they demonstrate mastery learning in the basic foundational skills in reading, writing and math that are required for meeting grade level benchmarks.
Textbooks are aligned with the Florida Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking Standards (B.E.S.T.). The teacher uses these Florida scope and sequence benchmarks for each area of study. The specialized curriculum contains strategies that address remediation, practice and enrichment of each subject. The teacher customizes according to the students’ needs. Following the progression set forth in each text, the curriculum provides continuity in instruction and assessment at the appropriate times for each concept and subject.
The scope and sequence of educational benchmarks for each Educational Tier is based on Mastery Learning. The principle of Mastery Learning is that human learning does not take place on a single level, but is a stratified process. Unless a student has mastered a sufficient amount of the knowledge to form a firm enough base on which to build the knowledge of the following year, he/she will not make progress in the next class. This means that there is a sequence that is to be observed in teaching. Certain things have to be taught first, before it becomes possible to teach other things. Thus, students are required to demonstrate mastery learning of foundational skills in reading, writing and math to transition from one tier to the next.
Our program is organized into self-contained, multi-grade classrooms that consist of 4 tiers. Students are placed into each tier as determined by their academic levels, age and grade. These Tiers consist of Primary Elementary, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary and the Middle School Program. Students transition from one tier to the next, as they demonstrate mastery learning in the basic foundational skills in reading, writing and math that are required for meeting grade level benchmarks.
Textbooks are aligned with the Florida Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking Standards (B.E.S.T.). The teacher uses these Florida scope and sequence benchmarks for each area of study. The specialized curriculum contains strategies that address remediation, practice and enrichment of each subject. The teacher customizes according to the students’ needs. Following the progression set forth in each text, the curriculum provides continuity in instruction and assessment at the appropriate times for each concept and subject.
The scope and sequence of educational benchmarks for each Educational Tier is based on Mastery Learning. The principle of Mastery Learning is that human learning does not take place on a single level, but is a stratified process. Unless a student has mastered a sufficient amount of the knowledge to form a firm enough base on which to build the knowledge of the following year, he/she will not make progress in the next class. This means that there is a sequence that is to be observed in teaching. Certain things have to be taught first, before it becomes possible to teach other things. Thus, students are required to demonstrate mastery learning of foundational skills in reading, writing and math to transition from one tier to the next.