Middle 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 grades 6 through 8. 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, Physical Education, and elective courses at the Middle School level.

AIMS and Terra Nova Tests

Beginning with the 2006-07 school year all students in grades 2 through 8 will take the AIMS/Terra Nova tests.

Maximum Class Size

• Grades 6 - 8: 24-28 students

JCS Advantage

All Middle School students may use the before and after school program from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM. The program is open twelve 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.