Curriculum
 Eagle Ridge Academy offers a content-rich, academically challenging, classical liberal arts curriculum characterized by: - A systematic, sequential, interdisciplinary approach to learning based on historical timeframes and topical themes.
- The rigorous study of core academic subjects: History, Geography, Literature, Grammar, Math, Science, Latin, Music and Art.
- A strong focus on literacy.
This is accomplished through the combination of a several successful, well-respected curriculums. The Academy is using the Core Knowledge Sequence developed by E.D. Hirsch for students in Kindergarten through grade eight. The Sequence is a challenging and proven curriculum now being used with positive results in over 450 schools across the country. This curriculum focuses on:
- Developing culturally literate students.
- Providing an academic foundation built on a content-based approach.
- Avoiding duplication and gaps through use of a coherent, sequential plan.
The high school curriculum combines a classical framework and Socratic seminars to draw out each student’s inner curiosity and passion. It also asks all students to aim for their highest good in everything they try, and to aspire to mirror the efforts and achievements of outstanding historical personalities. In this environment, high achievement by students will be valued, encouraged, and rewarded. This curriculum is taught in a Humane Letters seminar format.
- Focus is on the some of the greatest books of Western Civilization. Original works are studied as opposed to textbook summaries.
- In-depth, integrated study of history, philosophy, and literature.
- Enriched through the study of geography, grammar and composition.
- Designed to be taught with the Socratic method.
- Subject matter ordered by historical time periods.
- The Academy uses Saxon Math at every grade level. Students are ability-grouped which allows them to begin coursework at their current skill level and progress to the next level once mastery is obtained. Features of Saxon Math include:
- Systematic and incremental approach to teaching mathematics
- Spiraling curriculum which provides continual review and practice of concepts throughout the year
- Frequent and regular assessments help teachers gauge student progress
- Mastery is key
- The Academy requires all students to study Latin. Latin is a key component of any classical education curriculum and offers the following academic benefits to students:
- Increases grammar, spelling and decoding skills
- Develops precise, analytical and logical thinking
- Increases verbal portion of SAT/ACT
- Provides gateway to Romance language
- Is the foundation of classical literature
- Is basic to the study of biology, medicine, law
Appreciating art and music as expressions of the human spirit is also a valuable component of a classical education, and, as such, are an important part of the curriculum at Eagle Ridge Academy. As in all coursework, the Fine Arts curriculum is also integrated as much as possible with the student’s other studies in History and Literature.
- Music instruction includes a combination of both Music History and Theory. Music Performance is available as well.
- Art is required for Grades 6-12. The Art courses combine Art History and Studio Arts.
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