The curriculum rests upon the premise that strong basic skills and concepts form the foundations of learning. The school believes that students who master these skills early become self-motivated, self-disciplined and responsible individuals.

Students at The Academy are eager and confident learners. They are encouraged to explore topics in depth and often beyond the ground covered in the classroom. All students learn to use research tools including books and journals from the library, as well as the Internet. Skills acquired in school are strengthened by review and exercise at home.

All grades in the Lower School (kindergarten through fifth grade) are taught by a homeroom teacher as well as specialists in several areas. The Upper School (grades six through eight) is departmentalized, and students change rooms and teachers for each subject. Texts and classroom materials are chosen with care to ensure that the curriculum is covered smoothly and consistently across the grades.

ERB Tests
The school administers the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) tests in mathematics and the language arts annually to all students above first grade. This provides an independent measure of student achievements and a diagnostic tool to identify areas that may need attention. It also helps students become familiar with taking standardized tests, which are an unavoidable part of the educational journey to high school and college. Scores of students at The Academy consistently rank well above the national average of independent schools, according to CPT4 academic scores.

Core Curriculum - Lower School
Lower School focuses on helping each of its students build a solid foundation of skills and experiences. Through phonics and literature, children experience and refine skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking. The writing program emphasizes imagination and self-expression. At the same time students learn gradually to incorporate correct spelling and punctuation into their work. Literature is not limited to reading instruction but is a strong part of the entire curriculum. For example, stories set the mood in social studies and give students a look at the past and its relationship with their own lives. They also learn the skills they will need to make decisions about their futures. Stories also expand mathematical concepts, and enliven the discussions in science.

"I'm always looking for new and interesting ways to present material to my class; I rarely teach the same lesson twice in the same way. Each class is different, and the ways in which they respond to material gives me ideas about subsequent lessons. Each year is an adventure."

   – Dana Weld, dean of Lower School

Mathematics focuses on both the process and the product, because it is as important to know why an algorithm works as it is the correct answer. The mathematics curriculum rests on a solid traditional base but has a modern perspective. Fundamental concepts and the four basic operations are introduced early. Students become familiar with arithmetic, logic, geometry and statistics in a variety of practical and engaging settings. They learn to analyze verbal descriptions of problems to decide which mathematical techniques, if any, can be used to find a solution. The Academy curriculum incorporates trade books that introduce concepts via "real-life examples" that help provide discussion points, as well as enhance students' critical thinking and comprehension skills.

Science instruction emphasizes why and how from personal experience. Students learn from a specialist science teacher starting in kindergarten. The program's hands-on activities foster a sense of discovery and prompt students to ask questions about the world around them. The goal is to have students realize that science is not just in laboratories but all around them. By focusing on how they interpret the world through their senses, the program taps into students' already inquisitive minds and enhances their question-asking skills. All students, including kindergarteners, probe the world for answers and present their discoveries at the annual Science Fair.

"Academy teachers motivate all students to reach for and achieve goals that the students originally thought unattainable. Each year I have watched Lower School students develop the discipline and desire that makes it possible to succeed in Upper School and beyond."

   – Parent of fourth grader

Core Curriculum - Upper School
The purpose of the English program at The Academy is manifold: to provide students with mastery of the principles of English grammar; to foster in them ease and fluency of writing; to instruct them in the history of English literary forms; and to sharpen their skills in critical reading and thinking. Students learn to analyze English sentence structure, and apply their knowledge directly via a variety of daily and weekly writing exercises. They also develop critical reading abilities through an eclectic and challenging set of texts, ranging from modern and contemporary classics to perennial classics of authors including Mark Twain, Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. Each year, students read (and perform) a complete play of Shakespeare in its original language. By the time they graduate, students have also received a thorough introduction to the history of English poetry, from Beowulf to the present day.

"English Literature materials and choices for the middle school have been superb."

   – Mirka Breen, parent

In Upper School Social Studies, students not only look at the history of great civilizations, but they also connect the past with the present so as to better understand the world that we live in today. Students learn to make connections between different historical developments as they study the ancient world (sixth grade), the Middle Ages (seventh grade) and American history (eighth grade). Using primary sources to view history from a variety of perspectives, students learn that history is not simply the narrative created by the writers of history books. Opportunities for role-playing, analysis and reflection help students put themselves in the shoes of their predecessors.

"Aristotle once said, 'If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development.' My motto is that understanding the past is the key to interpreting the present."

   – Jessica Britt, Upper School social studies teacher

In the Upper School's science and mathematics programs, fun and academic rigor go hand in hand. In mathematics the students polish their basic skills before they move on to pre-algebra, geometry and algebra. The curriculum in each grade reviews and develops what was learned in previous years. Linear relations are studied extensively. Fundamental geometric ideas including the Pythagorean theorem are established. Eighth grade mathematics focuses on developing strong algebraic skills and using them to study polynomials. At every stage connections are made between algebraic and geometric approaches to solving problems.

The science program in the Upper School develops the use of the scientific method to answer questions about the world. Each year students cover a different branch of science - earth science in the sixth grade, physics and chemistry in the seventh, and biology and life sciences in the eighth. By the end of the program, students are familiar with the solar system and the basic structure of the earth, the laws of motion and forms of energy, atomic structure and chemical bonds, cells and genetics, evolution, and factors that affect the environment. Hands-on experiments help students to explore and to come up with their own questions while confirming what they learn in their texts. Students also engage in several research projects in which scientific journals and the Internet are used as primary sources of information. Each student presents a project at the Science Fair.

French
'With every language that we learn, we gain a new life." (Goethe)
French has been taught at The Academy since the school was founded. Oral expression and good pronunciation are emphasized from Kindergarten on through games and songs and a teacher from France. We work on building the basic skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking through a communicative method that enables the students to interact with their pairs in class and prepare them to travel and experience the French-speaking world with fluency and proficiency.

"C'est un plaisir d'enseigner ma langue maternelle aux élèves talentueux et motivés de l'Academy et de leur ouvrir les portes du monde francophone. L'intérêt pour le français est dominant à l'école et French Day est un événement très attendu."

   – Fabienne Ternieden, French teacher

Latin
The purpose of the Latin program at The Academy is to equip students to read Classical Latin with fluency and historical awareness. Students receive a firm foundation in the principles of Latin grammar and syntax, and use this knowledge to gain a more precise understanding of the structure of English, French and other modern European languages. Readings focusing on the story of Aeneas and daily life in ancient Rome introduce students to Roman history and culture. As their linguistic mastery develops, students encounter that culture more directly through translating original texts of Ovid, Catullus and Virgil. Students are ready for second-year high school Latin by the time they graduate.

"Reading Latin not only involves students in an active engagement with the past, it also inculcates in them clarity and simplicity of thought."

   – John Lynch, Latin teacher

Art
There are two specialist art teachers, one each for the Lower and Upper Schools.

The Lower School art program teaches basic art principles through a variety of different techniques including drawing, painting, color theory, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking and fiber arts. An assortment of multicultural art projects celebrating the seasons and the holidays are featured throughout the school year.

"I strive to encourage and nurture the creative expression and imagination of each student as they develop what will hopefully become a lifelong relationship with art."

   – Sandy Drobny, Lower School art teacher

Projects in the Upper School Art Studio are designed to increase students' awareness and understanding of art, as well as introduce them to a variety of historical and contemporary artists. Students work with eclectic materials and media. Projects range from basic drawing to soapstone carving. The highlight is an annual fashion show emphasizing creativity and costumes made from recycled materials.

"My teaching philosophy promotes critical thinking, individual empowerment and good old-fashioned fun. I encourage outlandish, possibly even garish experiments with unconventional recycled materials. I teach students my Bohemian method of making a garment hang together, showing the marks of the process."

   – Daphne Ruff, Upper School art teacher

Music
At the Academy everyone sings. A specialist music teacher works with all grades. All students learn to read music as well as perform with gusto in musical productions.

In kindergarten students start by singing simple, short, melodic songs. Children practice rhythms with clapping, speaking words to rhythm and using rhythm instruments. They then begin to sing short easy rounds which help them grow accustomed to singing parts. Movement and dance are used to learn rhythm and musical concepts. The rounds get more complex and then graduate to simple two-part songs. Students sing songs from many cultures and in many languages.

The Upper School music program covers the history of Western classical music from the medieval period through the twentieth century, and introduces students to numerous forms of world music. Students listen to music, watch operas and other performances on videos, play instruments, and listen to live musical performances. They become familiar with different periods and styles of music as they learn what that music sounds like, what to listen for, and indeed, how to listen.

"I love doing 'Gilbert and Sullivan' because there are many choruses, plenty of parts for soloists, and everyone can be involved. Everyone has lots of fun and learns a lot about being on stage as well."

   – Pamela Alexander, music teacher

Computers
At The Academy the computer is used as a tool to enhance the learning experience. A specialist teacher provides instruction for grades K - 5. We use the online program “K to the 8th Power” as our foundation for the computer lab curriculum. Upper school students use the computer as a way to acquire and disseminate information. Our 6th – 8th grade students use the computer lab to conduct research on the Internet and use word processors to produce reports.

Physical Education
The school strongly encourages all students to be physically fit and active. There is a specialist Physical Education teacher for all grades starting in kindergarten. The younger students work on basic movement, movement space, co-ordination and co-operation. Later, sport skills and games of strategy are introduced. There is an emphasis on teamwork and on positive words and body language. Upper School students participate in fitness assessments in which the goal is personal improvement.

The school strives to provide a well-rounded curriculum, including team and individual sports. Students are encouraged to participate in the Middle School Sport League by playing soccer, basketball and volleyball as extracurricular activities.

"I strive to present my students with the skills, knowledge and disposition to live a fit physically active lifestyle."

   – Kristen Manson, physical education teacher