Woodward Academy maintains a curriculum that is college preparatory. One
hundred percent of graduates are accepted to four-year colleges or universities.
The curriculum in the Upper School includes Advanced Placement, Honors College Prep, Enriched Prep and College Prep.
In the Upper School all students must be enrolled in at least five courses
daily and in the Middle School six courses daily. For more information about the
curriculum at the various levels, please see the elementary below and the Upper
School and Middle School links to the departments to the right.
Elementary Divisions
Language Arts
The mission of the reading and language arts program
is to prepare children for the life-long journey of becoming proficient readers
and writers. The curriculum is designed to empower students to develop as
creators, communicators, and consumers of written and oral language.
Students in Pre-kindergarten-third grade engage in a multi-level guided
reading program which allows them to develop as readers at their own pace.
Teachers continuously assess students in small groups with a view toward
fostering individual fluency and proficiency.
Students in grades four, five and six read a series of selected novels and
anthologies. These sources provide opportunities to read, analyze, and write
cogently about literature and to read effectively across the curriculum.
An articulated curriculum in the areas of grammar and vocabulary development
is implemented throughout all the grade levels. Moreover, an Academy-wide
writing continuum affords regular and frequent instruction in composition and
requires students to have constant practice in the writing process.
Math
The Woodward Academy K-6 mathematics curriculum has
been designed to cover a wide range of mathematical skills and concepts. These
skills and concepts are in alignment with NCTM national standards. The goal of
the curriculum is to lay a solid foundation for the understanding of
mathematical concepts and reasoning, the learning and efficient use of
computational skills, and problem solving strategies.
Mathematics instruction includes:
- Problem solving
- Geometry
- Algebra Preparation
- Data Collection
- Measurement
- Probability
- Statistics
Embedded in the curriculum is the understanding the students learn best by
doing. An emphasis is therefore placed on problem solving and activities that
promote higher level thinking skills. To accomplish mastery of the objects
included in the content standards, topics spiral throughout the year, being
revisited and reinforced in a variety of ways.
Science
Science at the lower levels, Pre-kindergarten through
third grade is presented with a gradual approach that focuses on the scientific
method. Discovery and exploration are skills that are developed in the classroom
as well as occasional science laboratory settings. Scientific processes are
included in units of study in Earth, physical and life science for students in
grades four through six. Hands on experimentation, problem solving, field trips
and community speakers are methods used at all levels.
Social Studies
The Woodward Academy fourth through sixth Grade
Social Studies curriculum strive to increase an awareness of the historical
connections between the past and how those actions affect the future. In fourth
grade the students explore five regions of the United States with an emphasis on
their geographical similarities and differences, cultural diversity, and
economic opportunities. An in-depth study of the history, people, and economy of
the state of Georgia is included.
Fifth grade students analyze the historical foundations of our country and
how the outcomes of conflicts helped to shape the country through the
Reconstruction period. The sixth grade curriculum encompasses a study of
economics, a comparison of ancient civilizations and examination of feudalism.
By learning about our own history and that of ancient civilizations, students
develop a greater understanding of the world in which we live.
Foreign Language
Foreign language class
length and frequency varies by grade level. The instruction begins with
greetings and calendar skills and for the target language and is followed by
activities to reinforce vocabulary or other material. Activity may take the
form of game, song, role-playing in a skit, Internet activity for vocabulary or
culture, audio or video tape; or art project. Letter grades are not assigned by
the teacher, but an effort grade is reported.