Introduction to the Elementary School’s Curriculum At A Glance At ACS Athens Elementary School, students build the necessary skill sets for the years ahead. The elementary curriculum is based on interdisciplinary methods and materials supported and guided by the U.S. State Board of Education. At the heart of the interdisciplinary method is literacy, which is woven throughout all subject areas, such as in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, including conceptual connections to Mathematics.
Language Arts - The Elementary School Language Arts curriculum is guided by the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts, which establish rigorous, research-based expectations in reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language — strands that are closely connected and mutually reinforcing. Our program reflects this integrated vision alongside a commitment to structured literacy: foundational skills including phonological awareness, phonics, and fluency are taught explicitly and systematically, while comprehension, writing, and language work develop alongside them. Students engage with a wide range of literary and informational texts, apply reading strategies, write for varied purposes and audiences, participate in collaborative discussions, and build vocabulary and language conventions across grades. Instruction emphasizes critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and effective communication, supported by carefully selected programs and resources. Our classroom libraries, Elementary School Library, and digital literacy resources further expand students' access to diverse texts — nurturing each student as a curious, confident reader, writer, and lifelong learner. Mathematics - The Mathematics curriculum is guided by the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and is taught through the Dimensions Math textbook series. This approach emphasizes deep conceptual understanding, problem solving, mathematical reasoning, and the development of strong computational fluency. The aim of the Elementary School Mathematics Program is for students to build a solid foundation in mathematical concepts and skills while developing confidence and perseverance as problem solvers. Students learn to make connections between concrete experiences, visual models, and abstract mathematical thinking through a progression known as the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) approach. Instruction focuses on the major domains of mathematics, including number and operations, algebraic thinking, measurement, geometry, and data analysis. Students are encouraged to explain their thinking, justify solutions, apply mathematics to real-world situations, and communicate mathematical ideas clearly. Science - The Science curriculum is guided by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and supported by the TCI Bring Science Alive! program. Instruction is built around the three dimensions of the NGSS: disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts. Through inquiry-based learning, hands-on investigations, and engineering design challenges, students develop an understanding of how scientific knowledge is developed and applied. The aim of the Elementary School Science Program is to foster scientific literacy by helping students understand the fundamental concepts of life science, physical science, earth and space science, and engineering. Students are encouraged to ask questions, develop models, plan and conduct investigations, analyze data, construct explanations, and communicate evidence-based conclusions. Through active exploration of real-world phenomena, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and scientific reasoning skills. The curriculum promotes curiosity about the natural world while helping students make connections between science, technology, engineering, and everyday life.