Lower School Curriculum/Core Knowledge
General Overview
Joy Christian School is committed to the growth and success of each
student, to reach his or her maximum potential. Our education program
reaches the needs of the "whole student" – spiritual and personal
development, as well as academic excellence.
Faith Development. We believe that faith development is the responsibility of the family, the church and the Christian school. We teach the Bible and Christian principles from the Lutheran perspective as part of our core curriculum. Worship is a priority in our weekly schedule, and we lead our students in acts of caring and compassion as expressions of their spiritual commitments. We seek to guide our students into a personal relationship with Christ as a foundation on which they can build their lives.
Individuality. We recognize each student as an individual with individual gifts. Learning capacity is based in part upon growth and maturity, but also upon differences in learning. Consequently, we focus on learning experiences appropriate not only to age, but also to maturity and learning style. We promote creativity, critical thinking and curiosity. We strive for the development of leadership capabilities and a sense of personal responsibility. We help our students develop self-discipline, practice compassion for others and appreciate diversity.
A Partnership. We regard our educational efforts as a partnership between parents and school. Joy Christian School expects and values parental support in encouraging our students to develop to their fullest potential, to become independent and resourceful individuals. We are committed to guiding each student in the pursuit of personal academic and spiritual excellence.
Ideal Joy Student
A goal of the school is to produce a student who is a well-rounded person, with a positive self-image, who has developed critical leadership skills, communication skills, and social/emotional skills to be prepared to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Our students are creative, flexible, compassionate, caring, and confident, possessing Christian values of integrity, honesty, service to others, and family.
Core Knowledge Curriculum
Joy Christian School is a friends of Core Knowledge School. Core Knowledge curriculum provides the students with a well rounded curriculum that is nationally recognized. The curriculum follows a sequence guide that insures that students learn challenging material that promotes cultural literacy in Kindergarten through 5th grades. The curriculum approach is child-centered and developmentally appropriate in all courses of studies. The curriculum takes into account the Standards of the Arizona Course of Study, and meets or exceeds all state standards. www.coreknowledge.org
Benefits of Core Knowledge Curriculum
For Students
- Provides a broad base of knowledge and a rich vocabulary
- Motivates students to learn and creates a strong desire to learn more
- Provides the knowledge necessary for higher levels of learning and helps build confidence
For School
- Provides an academic focus and encourages consistency in instruction
- Provides a plan for coherent, sequenced learning from grade to grade
- Promotes a community of learners – adults and children
- Becomes an effective tool for lesson planning and communication among teachers and with parents
For Parents and the Community
- Provides a clear outline of what children are expected to learn in school
- Encourages parents to participate in their children’s education both at home and in school
Liberal Arts Education
Our education program is developed around a true liberal arts program.
Including core subject courses of Math, Social Studies, Science, Reading,
English, and Language Arts, we offer courses in Art, Music, Computer,
Bible, Spanish and Physical Education.
AIMS and Terra Nova Tests
Beginning with the 2006-07 school year the students in grades 2-8 will take the AIMS test. Students in second grade will take the Terra Nova tests – allowing comparison to the other schools in our area.
Maximum Class Size
- Kindergarten: 20-22 students (includes a teacher aide in each class)
- Grades 1 and 2: 22-24 students
- Grades 3 through 5: 24-28 students
JCS Advantage
All Lower and Middle School students may use the before and after school program from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM. The program is open 12 months of the year including most holidays.
JCS School Hours
Kindergarten through 2nd grade: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
3rd through 5th grades: 8:30 AM - 3:15 PM
6th through 8th grades: 8:30 AM - 3:30PM
RenWeb
Communication is also very important to us at JCS. Through our administrative software program (RenWeb), parents and students always have access to their homework, current grades, attendance records, monthly newsletters, etc. Joy Christian School is blessed with outstanding technology which allows our teachers the opportunity to teach and prepare our young people, as well as, keeping the entire family and school connected in new and creative ways.
RenWeb is a web based school management system that allows parents to easily track their student’s academic achievement, teacher lesson plans, homework assignments, attendance, and lunch orders. Through RenWeb parents at any time may view their student’s grades in any class and on any assignments. Parents that have students in the upper grades are also electronically notified of missing assignments. Progress reports, quarterly report cards, school announcements, and newsletters are emailed through RenWeb to families. Parents have immediate email access to all teachers through the utilization of RenWeb