Curriculum Content Areas

Social Studies
Our social studies program is inquiry-based, arts-infused, and interdisciplinary. The IDEAL School uses a learning framework that provide students with authentic experiences in which academic concepts are presented in a real-life, real-world context. Academic goals include developing communication, problem solving, project management, and research skills. The classroom curriculum is reinforced by service learning experiences.

Performing & Visual Arts
At The IDEAL School, we strongly believe in the value of music and arts instruction as it strengthens the overall learning process, offers alternative methods for completing class assignments, and allows each child to be successful. Through creative and dramatic interpretations, students tap into their creativity and self-expression. IDEAL students also participate in an expansive learning process, creating and exploring visual arts that connect to grade-level units through author studies and whole-school service learning projects.

Language Arts
The IDEAL School uses a balanced literacy approach to teaching language arts. We provide many opportunities to facilitate literacy through reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Guided reading groups in lower grades and literature circles in older grades encourage collaborative learning and an appreciation of the written word. By accommodating individual learning styles, we differentiate instruction and ensure that each student finds a successful path to literacy.

Math
Our math curriculum emphasizes concepts that support the development of problem-solving skills. We believe that a strong conceptual framework and problem-solving strategies provide anchoring for skill acquisition. Through experiential learning, we encourage all students to become mathematicians.

Science
IDEAL’s science curriculum balances teacher-directed lessons with open-ended, hands-on scientific investigation. Teachers encourage student inquiry, recognizing that all children bring experiences to the learning process. We cultivate an appreciation for the scientific method, shared effort, and cooperation, as children develop a sense of responsibility for personal and group actions, respect for the environment, and commitment to its care.

Global Languages
The global languages program at IDEAL is in keeping with our mission to prepare all students for lives and careers in a global world. We offer a unique combination of languages, including American Sign Language, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. Our program integrates the study of language with the study of culture and acceptance, which includes daily life, history, literature, the arts, mathematics, and science.

Physical Education
Physical education at IDEAL fosters the progression of motor, cognitive, emotional, and social development. Recognizing children mature at various paces, our program is flexible and designed to accommodate individual differences. All students are challenged with stimulating activities and games to support skill development and self-confidence. The APEX Program is a competitive, organized sports program for students in older grades.

Technology
The use of technology is integrated into the daily experience of all students. The IDEAL School uses technology that is transparent, intuitive, and builds on crucial skills, and we believe technology should encourage more interaction between students and teachers, not less. We want to see students extend the curriculum into different domains – to provide visual, auditory, and creative experiences that challenge them to think more critically about what they are learning – to collaborate, question, and extend their thinking. We acknowledge that technology will be completely different in ten years, and our job is to hand students the tools to be successful for their future, not our past.