Academics

BCA’s early childhood education is very unique. As other educators debate on the single and right approach to teaching English, we merge and sequentially teach two equally important methods of “Whole Language” and “Phonics.” The phonetic approach will provide students with a solid understanding of decoding, allowing them to grow into fluent readers early on. The Whole Language approach provides students with a rich vocabulary, fluency, imagination and comprehension, along with a love of reading.

Both Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students learn how to sound out and spell words, building a foundation of learning through phonetic concepts. They learn to read independently at a comfortable level, free of stress. This is the essential tool in developing an early reader.

Teachers beautifully introduce literacy to readers, enhancing students’ imagination, reading comprehension, and enriching their vocabulary word bank. Teacher guided instruction introduces literacy to all level of students including those who are not yet ready to sound out words by themselves.

Within each grade and classroom, goals and objectives are established to challenge students as they explore the written and spoken elements that are used to communicate. Students build upon the mechanics of the English language with intentional focus on grammar and vocabulary instruction. Building upon the ability to decode and apply a phonemic approach to reading and spelling, BCA students learn to read and write with ease. Students explore a variety of genres, short stories and novels to establish a common language for evaluating, comprehending and discussing literature. Across a variety of genres, students find voice and organization within the structure of the writing process. An emphasis on developing a robust vocabulary gives students just one more tool for reading and writing each year.

BCA’s mathematical readiness begins with our math timing sheets. This in-house method was developed with the intent of creating a focused and intentional mathematical foundation. Students become fluent in decoding, 10’s number sense, and number bonds as these are very important building blocks for future learning. Elementary students continue to build confidence within additional number combinations that stretch into multiplication and division facts, fractions, and pre-algebra. Students develop these skills at their own pace and can go far beyond the grade level they are currently enrolled in.

In the classroom, teachers implement direct instruction to teach math concepts, computation, and problem solving skills throughout each lesson. Students are fully engaged in the class, working on warm-up activities, grade level curriculum lessons, and extensions that challenge students beyond the standard math problems. Students construct meaning, transfer this for the formal operations and then apply and extend understanding.

BCA students extend their learning with the use of Sansu math, our exclusively designed math curriculum. Sansu math was influenced by the Japanese math curriculum used in Japan which places inquiry and application as a priority. The curriculum covers both concepts of Pre-Algebra and Geometry and students must apply their strong conceptual understanding and computation skills. Our Sansu math program mirrors no other in this area. A spiral approach to mathematics ensures that our students consistently review past learned concepts which further promotes depth and application of key concepts. Students master mental math strategies, logical reasoning skills, and basic combinations to seamlessly transition into computing and problem solving.

Using the five themes of geography as a lens of study, students explore the elements of location, movement, region, place, and human-environment interaction. Students understand that the world is complex, presenting many layers of information to analyze the past with the intention of applying knowledge to solve real-world problems of today. Students learn by personally stepping into events of the past and present, engaging with the curriculum rather than just memorizing key people, dates and events. Learning is conceptual, exploring important content while also creating a lens and framework in which the world today can be viewed through. Units focus on personal, local and global connections, bringing various perspectives and learning opportunities into classroom discussions. Our students work to understand the past so they can better understand and take part in their future. 

BCA’s science curriculum encompasses a rich scope and sequence which provides opportunities for students to develop a range of science-specific skills and processes. Students observe carefully as they learn to collect data, utilize a variety of instruments to measure data and apply scientific vocabulary to explain and converse about their explorations. Following each step of the scientific method, students learn to pose questions, form hypothesis and carry out experiments to further discovery. As they transition through the elementary years, the scientific method becomes an independent process for exploring and discussing scientific concepts. Science is experienced and not just something that students read about. Stepping into our science lab, students become scientists who are excited to learn through questioning and observation. Once again students make personal, local and global connections to apply scientific understanding to current, real-world challenges with the hope of one day finding sustainable solutions. In addition to a grade level’s science units, students visit our LEGO® lab to explore engineering and robotics. Our students learn the basics of computer programming as they explore STEM related concepts each week when they construct builds and work collaboratively.

BCA places high value on learning outside of the core subjects. In addition to classroom time with their core teacher(s), students visit six specialist classes per week, taught by professionals with extended experiences within each specialty. Students participate in art, computer, drama, music, physical education, and Spanish.  Another key element, and center of the school, is the BCA library. Filled with tools for research and a rich collection of literature to inspire a love of reading, students enjoy weekly visits with our school’s Library Media Specialist.