Academic Program

The Elementary Curriculum

The ACS Elementary School plays an important role in developing students who model the qualities described in the ACS Mission, Profile of Graduates, and Core Values documents.

The elementary core curriculum has an emphasis on literacy and numeracy skills.  The core curriculum also includes social studies, science, and (KG2-Grade 5) Arabic. Special subjects include art, music, and p.e. and are offered on a rotating 3-day schedule.  Technology and library skills are integrated into the grade level curriculum.

Curriculum Descriptions:

The language  arts curriculum fosters the continuous development and integration of reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, thinking, and collaborating. We have a responsibility to guide students in the acquisition and application of these essential skills and processes. Our curriculum is responsive, providing choices, promoting goal-setting, encouraging self-assessment, and honoring learners. Opportunities are provided for students to experience information literacy and language in meaningful contexts for a variety of purposes and audiences. ACS believes these approaches will best prepare learners for 21^st Century literacies.

The study of mathematics equips students with knowledge, skills, and habits of mind that are essential for successful and rewarding participation in such societies. To learn mathematics in a way that will serve them well throughout their lives, students need classroom experiences that help them develop mathematical understanding; learn important facts, skills, and procedures; develop the ability to apply the processes of mathematics; and acquire a positive attitude towards mathematics. Learning mathematics results in more than a mastery of basic skills. It equips students with a concise and powerful means of communication. Mathematical structures, operations, processes, and language provide students with a framework and tools for reasoning, justifying conclusions, and expressing ideas clearly. Through mathematical activities that are practical and relevant to their lives, students develop mathematical understanding, problem-solving skills, and related technological skills that they can apply in their daily lives and, eventually, in the workplace.

The goal of our science program is to assure our students achieve scientific literacy. The tenets of scientific literacy include the ability to:

• Find or determine answers to questions derived from everyday experiences.
• Question, predict, describe, organize, analyze, explain, and evaluate scientific concepts.
• Understand articles about science and be able to apply the information to emerging scientific concepts.
• Engage in non-technical conversation about the validity of conclusions.
• Identify scientific issues underlying national and local decisions.
• Pose explanations based on evidence derived from one's own work.

Social studies is a core discipline which integrates the social sciences, enabling and inspiring students to examine how people interact and are influenced within the context of history, geography, and society.

The purpose of social studies is to develop:

• An understanding of the past and an ongoing interest in analyzing global issues.
• Enduring understandings and cross-disciplinary connections.
• An understanding of, and sensitivity to, the values, traditions, and
• perspectives of others.
• Historical, geographical, cultural, and economic literacy, integrating examples from the US, the region, and the world.
• Active and compassionate citizens, who make responsible, informed and reasoned decisions in a rapidly changing interdependent world.

We will accomplish these purposes by:

• Following an articulated, standards based curriculum.
• Using various instructional strategies and authentic assessments.
• Using interactive approaches to link knowledge and skills to students’ lives.
• Requiring students to conduct meaningful and reliable research.
• Utilizing technology productively and proficiently.
• Providing opportunities for students to work individually and cooperatively.

As a result, students will:

• Link knowledge and skills to life situations.
• Apply knowledge in a variety of problem solving situations.
• Acquire and apply a variety of communication skills.
• Develop creative and critical thinking skills.
• Apply the skills specific to social studies.