Renaissance Academy

Building Lifelong Learners

English Language Arts:
(120 minutes daily)

Reading is taught in small classes of students all working at the same level. We emphasize cooperative learning and, for students who require additional support, one-to-one tutoring. Phonics, word-attack, comprehension, and study skills are taught through Success For All (SFA), a literature-based approach to reading, which aligns to the PA Core Standards.

Step Up To Writing is a writers’ workshop approach which emphasizes the stages through which writers advance with a piece of writing: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, proofreading, then publishing. We teach writing in all subject areas. As students become more fluent writers, the curriculum intentionally helps them hone their skills in the mechanics of spelling, punctuation, and grammar using the McGraw Hill Language Arts and Zaner Bloser Handwriting programs.

Mathematics: 
(70 minutes daily)

Instruction stresses computation, explanation, and a full range of mathematics, including numbers and operations, geometry, measurement and data, and operations and algebraic thinking. To teach math at this level we use the Pearson EnVision curriculum, a research-based program proven to raise achievement levels through a series of topics set-up to reflect the PA Core Standards.

Science:
(30-40 minutes daily)

Active, hands-on explorations help students build their understanding of the key scientific concepts and big ideas that explain our world. Using the Pearson Interactive curriculum, students address the content of life, earth and space, and physical science as well as the nature of science, through a series of modules set up to reflect PA's state standards.

Social Science:
(30-40 minutes daily)

Our project-based program emphasizes the use of literature in
social studies instruction combined with supplemental informational text resources. Harcourt and PA curriculum materials and used, however, projects and activities are often cross-curricular and are guided by a multicultural perspective and respect for diversity.

World Language:
(40 minutes every other day)

Beginning in kindergarten, students acquire a second language by learning conversation and culture, with the long-term goal of being able to communicate fluently in Spanish.

Fine Arts:
(40 minutes every other day)

Music, visual arts, dance are presented as a combination of history, performance, appreciation, and practice.

Physical Fitness:
(40 minutes every other day)

Thee dynamic physical education program focuses on healthful nutrition and developmentally appropriate objectives in the areas of speed, flexibility, endurance, strength, and agility.