Academic Program—Junior Academy
Early adolescents are embarking on an exciting intellectual journey, but they are often more concerned with who is sitting next to them than with where they are going. In order to engage the hands, minds, and hearts of these students, the curriculum is carefully connected to their questions about the world.
Home Base Advisory: 15 minutes daily
- Students meet with advisory groups and one-on-one with advisors to ensure that their progress is followed closely by adults who know them well.
Reading–Language Arts: 90 minutes daily
- Students develop comprehension strategies through a variety of reading material; hone vocabulary and grammar skills in the context of real writing; and develop speaking and listening skills through a discussion-based program, which is the foundation of the Junior Academy character and ethics curriculum.
Social Science: 45 minutes daily
- Students in the Junior Academy spend three years exploring world studies as well as U.S. history. The course progression is determined based on careful analysis of state standards and schools are assigned courses based on a track system designed to meet the requirements of the state and the needs of the students.
Mathematics: 45 minutes daily
- The curriculum stresses computation and a full range of mathematics, including data collection and analysis, probability and statistics, geometry, and pre-algebra. To teach math at this level we use a research-based program proven to raise achievement levels.
Science: 45 minutes daily
- Active, hands-on explorations help students build their understanding of the key scientific concepts and big ideas that explain our world. Students address the content of life, earth and space, and physical science as well as the nature of science, through modules set up to reflect their state’s standards and unique requirements.
World Language: 45 minutes daily
- The program emphasizes culture and communication as students further develop grammar, syntax, and vocabulary skills in a second language. Students entering with little or no knowledge of Spanish receive special attention and are aided by the cooperative-learning structure.
Fine Arts: 45 minutes daily
- The program is integrated with other subject areas and continues the discipline-based and performance approaches that students practiced in the earlier academies.
Physical Fitness and Health: 45 minutes daily
- Through a varied program that stresses individualized fitness goals, we help all students understand the benefits of continuing the strenuous physical activity they enjoyed in earlier academies. We encourage students to participate in intramural sports programs and we introduce peer-coaching activities that promote mutual skill development.