Lower School

All students in the Lower School memorize passages of scripture and catechism questions, recite a historical timeline and participate in chapel each morning. (Note: Click each hyperlink for a PDF of the scope and sequence for that grade.)

Pre-Kindergarteners begin their SCA journey by fostering wonder and curiosity each day. Students participate in letter and number mini-lessons, while stories and nature are unveiled through discovery and hands-on exploration. Songs, rhythm, and repetition will be at the forefront of student learning, as a strong foundation is set to enter our kindergarten studies.

Kindergarteners study cultures and countries from around the world and listen to their teachers read quality literature like Madeline, Grandfather’s Journey, Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening, and Frog and Toad. They learn foundational skills and facts through the implementation of UFLI and Singapore math.

First grade students study the Lord’s creation. They investigate birds, nature, and weather systems. Their literature includes Owl Moon, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Story of Ferdinand, and When I was Young in the Mountains. Students learn and apply the 44 phonemes in their reading and writing. Mathematical skills continue to develop and numerical reasoning expands through the use of Singapore Math.

Second graders dive into American History. They begin with Christopher Columbus, introduce America’s Founding Fathers, navigate the journey of Lewis and Clark, and conclude the year at the doors of the Civil War. Their reading includes Squanto: Friend of the Pilgrims, Little House in the Big Woods, The Bears on Hemlock Mountain, and Sarah, Plain and Tall. Students begin their writing education using IEW, while continuing to master phonemes and focusing on reading fluency. Singapore math introduces multiplication as students continue to master adding and subtracting.

Our third graders receive an introduction to Story of the World, focusing on Ancient Civilization. Their literature includes Aesop’s Fables, Boy of the Pyramid, and Trumpet of the Swan. Students begin writing in cursive and expand their writing skills through the use of IEW. Singapore Math continues with a focus on place value, multiplication and division. They also begin their study of Latin.

Fourth grade continues their history study with Story of the World focusing on the Middle Ages. They read texts like The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Adam of the Road, and The Tale of Despereaux. Students learn about Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo. Their writing becomes richer with a focus on editing and revising, growing vocabulary, and applying grammatical structures to formulate beautiful sentences. Math turns its focus to long division, fractions, and decimals.

The fifth graders study The New World (1600-1850) in Story of the World. Their history begins with the Age of Exploration and spans through the Civil War. Students experience a Colonial Day, where they participate in baking over an open fire, dip candles, and dress in colonial attire. Fifth grade continues to focus on the style and structure of writing, while reading literature like The Magician’s Nephew, Johnny Tremain, and The Sign of the Beaver. Math introduces order of operations, and students begin to explore and solve algebraic formulas.

Sixth grade students conclude their Lower School years with a historical trip to Boston, as Story of the World continues with Modern History. Students begin their history journey with the Civil War and march through the present day. Students read classics like The Hobbit, A Christmas Carol, The Secret Garden, and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Students’ writing is a culmination of all the skills acquired during their grammar school years, and math begins to set the stage for pre-algebra.

Upper School

Seventh Grade returns the Ancient World they were introduced to in third grade, diving deeper into this world by venturing into some of the Great Books from that era, notably The Odyssey by Homer. They also begin formal logic, natural science, and Bible courses. As in all upper school grades, students take mathematics, PE, art, and classical languages.

Eighth Grade returns the Medieval World they were introduced to in fourth grade, diving deeper into this world by venturing into some of the Great Books from that era, notably Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight . They also continue formal logic, natural science, and Bible courses. As in all upper school grades, students take mathematics, PE, art, and classical languages.

Ninth Grade returns the Early Modern World (with emphasis on America) they were introduced to in fifth and sixth grade, diving deeper into this world by venturing into some of the Great Books from that era, notably The Crucible and The Scarlet Letter. They transition from logic to rhetoric, and also continue natural science and Bible courses. As in all upper school grades, students take mathematics, PE, art, and classical languages.

The Tenth-Twelfth grade cohort does one more cycle through the three historical eras: Ancient (Creation to Christ), Medieval (Early Church to ~1500), and Modern (Reformation to 1950). Students are now reading much more difficult primary sources and wrestling with the Great Ideas through seminar discussions, writing assignments, and more. Students continue with rhetoric and natural sciences, but their Bible class is integrated with their humanities course and explores more theology. As in all upper school grades, students take mathematics, PE, art, and classical languages. (Note: Seniors have minor adjustments to their schedule and complete a senior seminar capstone project.)