Introduction to the Elementary School’s Curriculum At A Glance
At ACS Athens Elementary School, students build the necessary skillsets 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 curriculum structure is provided by the AERO Standards. Students learn the importance of both conceptual understanding and procedural methods through a variety of materials and programs. AERO explains that “most problems that students will encounter in the real world are multi-step or process problems. For example, ACS Athens’ unique Dogs in Learning Program, provides students with ample real-life problem-solving opportunities to apply recently learned mathematical strategies. Science - Our fifth-grade science program, based on the TeachTCI curriculum and aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), engages students in exploring complex scientific concepts through hands-on investigations, collaborative discussions, and real-world problem-solving. Each NGSS standard incorporates three dimensions of learning: Disciplinary Core Ideas (scientific content), Science and Engineering Practices (the skills scientists and engineers use to investigate and design solutions), and Crosscutting Concepts (themes that connect different areas of science). Throughout the year, students develop a deeper understanding of earth, life, and physical sciences by asking questions, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing data, constructing explanations, and using evidence to support their claims. Students also apply the engineering design process to solve problems and evaluate solutions. The goal of the elementary science program is to cultivate scientifically literate students who are curious, critical thinkers and prepared to apply scientific knowledge and reasoning to the world around them. By the end of fifth grade, students understand how energy and matter move through ecosystems, how Earth's systems interact and change over time, how matter can be identified and transformed, and how energy is transferred and used. Students apply scientific practices such as investigating, modeling, analyzing data, and engineering design to explain phenomena