Curriculum

Mathematics:

The curriculum we are using for Math is called Purposeful Design. In this curriculum we teach that Math is a part of God’s design. It is deeply woven into the structure of the world and reflects God’s nature.

The curriculum is designed to:

  • teach math concepts in real-life context first
  • let students explore and understand concepts before formal instruction
  • gradually move from concrete examples to abstract thinking
  • build both understanding and skill (fluency)
Language Arts:

Our Language Arts curriculum is designed to help students grow into strong, confident readers, writers, and thinkers. Through engaging literature, phonics instruction, vocabulary development, spelling, grammar, writing, and reading comprehension, students build the foundational skills they need for long-term academic success.

This program combines research-based instruction with meaningful stories, guided reading, independent reading, and hands-on learning activities. Students are exposed to rich literature from a variety of genres, while also developing fluency, critical thinking, and communication skills.

The curriculum is taught from a Christian worldview, encouraging students to connect what they read and write with biblical principles, character development, and real-life application. With carefully designed lessons, leveled readers, and supportive resources, the program helps meet students where they are while challenging them to continue growing.

Science:

For science education, we have chosen the Apologia Science curriculum, which is renowned for its rigorous content and hands-on experiments. Apologia Science takes students on a journey of exploration and discovery, covering a wide range of scientific topics while instilling a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around them. Through inquiry-based learning and peer collaboration, students deepen their understanding of scientific principles and phenomena.

History and Social Studies:

In our one-room schoolhouse, history comes alive as students journey through the ages with our History of the World curriculum. Through interactive lessons, storytelling, and role-playing activities, students explore the rich tapestry of human history and gain a deeper appreciation for the cultures, events, and individuals that have shaped our world.

Our multi-grade classrooms allow students to learn from one another, collaborate across age groups, and develop strong bonds of friendship and support. Teachers serve as mentors and facilitators, guiding students on their educational journey while encouraging independence and self-directed learning.

We are confident that our one-room schoolhouse approach to learning will provide your children with a unique and enriching educational experience that fosters a love of learning, cultivates critical thinking skills, and prepares them for success in the 21st century and beyond.

Skill Based Testing

At New Life Christian Academy, we believe that true learning goes far beyond grade level. We desire to instill a deep understanding of subject matter and skills. We also acknowledge that not all children learn in the same way or at the same rate as their peers. To achieve the best academic outcomes for our students, we will utilize skill-based, rather than grade-based, testing for initial placement and progress tracking.

Skill-based testing focuses on assessing students’ abilities and competencies in specific areas, rather than just assigning a numerical grade. This approach allows us to better understand each student’s strengths and areas for improvement, leading to more personalized and effective learning experiences.

By emphasizing skill-based testing, we aim to promote a growth mindset among our students. Instead of focusing solely on achieving a certain grade, students are encouraged to focus on developing their skills and knowledge, which ultimately leads to deeper learning and better academic outcomes.

Furthermore, skill-based testing provides a more comprehensive picture of a student’s progress and achievements. It allows us to identify areas where students excel and areas where they may need additional support, enabling us to tailor our teaching strategies to meet their individual needs.

We believe that by shifting our focus to skill-based testing, we can better prepare our students for success in the future.

Learning Practice at Home (HOMEWORK)

New Life Christian Academy focuses on learning during the school day. Time at home is encouraged to be with family and friends. For students, any learning practices sent home will be work that was not completed during the appropriate time provided by the school. We encourage 20 minutes of reading each day to build a lifelong love of reading.