ACADEMICS

Our educational goal is to open up God's world to our students.  In providing them with a broad educational foundation, students will be able to expand their knowledge and develop their unique talents and abilities to make an impact in their communities.

The curriculum is designed to meet the academic, social, spiritual, physical, and creative needs of each child.

• Reading instruction begins with a phonetic approach at the lower levels.  Once established as readers, students learn the comprehension skills needed for both academic success and personal enjoyment.  Accelerated Reader, a web-based program that students access in their classrooms, is used to strengthen student comprehension and challenge those students who are fluent readers.  You can learn more about Accelerated Reader here.
  • For parents of existing students, go to Renaissance Home Connect  to login to view your student's reading progress.  You will need a User Name and Password from your child's teacher in order to access this site.
     
• We are excited to launch Singapore Math as our new math curriculum in grades K-5.  Singapore Math focuses on understanding the concepts behind mathematical ideas and problem solving. Visit the Singapore Math site for more information about this new program.  In addition, Accelerated Math, a supplemental web-based program that students have access to in class, allows our teachers to identify and address areas of weakness and challenge those who excel in math.  For more information regarding Accelerated Math, visit their website.
  • For parents of existing students, go to Renaissance Home Connect to login to view your student's math progress.  You will need a User Name and Password from your child's teacher in order to access this site.
     
• Social Studies plays an important role in the daily lives of our students as current events are read about and discussed throughout the week in each class.  At the primary level, students learn about their neighborhoods and communities and practice map skills.  They learn the historical background of important holidays, events, and people. Using educational magazines like Weekly Reader, teachers introduce students to social issues throughout the world. In 4th and 5th grade, students move to a more formal curriculum that focuses on California history and a general history of the United States.
   
• In science, students learn about various parts of God's creation as they study plants and animals, space, the human body, weather, and a wide range other topics.
   
• The spelling curriculum focuses on helping students to learn high frequency words that they use in their daily writing.
   
• Although we integrate our faith into all subject areas, we do teach Bible as its own subject as well.  The focus of each grade level differs, but the overall goal is to reveal the biblical drama of a once perfect creation, tainted by sin, in need of redemption.  Students learn how God works through his people, including them, to bring about his perfect plan of salvation.  View more information about our Bible curriculum here.
   
• Our English program teaches students the grammatical skills needed to identify and understand proper sentence structure, nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, etc.  In addition, students use the writing process to write a variety of letters, paragraphs, stories, journals, and reports.
   
• Music appreciation is encouraged through singing and musical games.  Classes meet twice a week to learn about famous composers and music theory or to sing together and learn new songs.  Students participate in two productions: the Christmas Concert and the Spring Concert.  Recorders are introduced in 4th grade, and students have the option of learning an instrument and joining the school band in 5th grade.

Students use the new laptops in their classroom.

• In grades 3-5, Keyboarding is taught using the Type to Learn program.  With the addition of a laptop cart containing 30 new laptops, students at all grade levels will now have more access to technology.
   
• Students in grades K-2 receive 20-25 minutes of Spanish instruction each day.  They are introduced to new vocabulary and phrases each day using a conversational approach.  An additional grade level will be added each year until all students, K-5, are participating in the program.
   
• Physical Education classes take place twice a week with a certified P.E. instructor.  The goal is to keep the students active and, by teaching them games and sports, to encourage them to lead a healthy lifestyle.  Beginning in second grade, students participate in the Presidential Fitness Test.  You can go online to read more about the Presidential Fitness Test.