General Statement of Curriculum
Our curriculum resembles what was
traditionally taught in schools 50 years ago. We emphasize the value of Western
civilization in all grades. Historically available to our students have been a wide range
of foreign languages, including classical Greek, Latin, and the Romance language, Spanish.
ACT test scores at our school have
consistently been significantly higher than the state of Colorado average. This is
especially impressive when one considers that many of our students matriculate from public
schools with deficits in their education, which our school remedies.
An essential part of any traditional
curriculum is discipline: academic rigor as well as classroom discipline. We instill
strong academics and religious education within a disciplined environment. This
certainly does not mean the Academy is a military school by any means. We simply
pride ourselves on running an institution where misbehavior is corrected early, before
major problems develop. And we understand that many activities that public school
administrators label as AD/ADHD are, in fact, normal development for children. Such
actions need a firm, guiding hand in the classroom -- not drugged children.
The school administration completely supports the teachers in this area.
The Academy's small class size and the
flexibility provided teachers affords considerable one-on-one time for students.
Within the broad syllabus guidelines for each course, students who wish to accelerate can,
indeed, move at a faster pace and delve with greater detail into course material.
Conversely, students who find a particular portion of course material or concept
problematic can receive individual instruction to overcome that obstacle.
Detailed standards to which the Academy
adheres are drawn from the NAPCIS curriculum guidelines and standards for classroom
instruction. These are articulated and freely available on the NAPCIS web site.
Curriculum Details
Throughout all high school courses, we
inculcate a proper, balanced appreciation of Western history and civilization. Where
we are today, as a society and as a culture, in every aspect of our civilization has
direct roots to the goals and values of our Judeo-Christian foundation. To omit that
essential aspect in every discipline is to cut us off at the roots that ground our
society.
We use the Kolbe Academy curriculum program
extensively for grades 1 through 12. Details of the renowned Kolbe curriculum
can be found at their web site, www.kolbe.org.
For example, part of the Kolbe curriculum is Saxon Math for grades 9-11, which is
absolutely the best one we have found for progressive and iterative development of
mathematical conceptual development and practical exercise of those concepts.
Kolbe's Science program is our foundation
for instruction in the physical and biological sciences. The Academy has a science
lab facility for practical instruction in physical sciences.
Literature classes draw extensively from
the traditional Great Books program, as well as such classic American authors as Mark
Twain, Ben Franklin, Robert Louis Stevenson and Edgar Allen Poe.
Religion texts draw extensively from the
Catechism of the Catholic Church, coverage of pertinent papal encyclicals (English
translation, of course), and popular books published by Tan Books and Ignatius Press.
Fundamental throughout the religion curriculum is the Baltimore Catechism.
For Pre-school and Kindergarten, the Kolbe
Curriculum is the fundamental approach we use.
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