Eagle Ridge Academy – School of Logic (5-8)

By fifth or sixth grade, a child’s mind begins to think more analytically. The Logic Stage is when students start to notice cause and effect, how different fields of knowledge relate, and how facts fit together into a logical framework. These students begin to develop their natural capacity for abstract thought while continuing to nourish their curiosity.

Core Knowledge

View the fifth grade curriculum overview here. For grades 6-8, Eagle Ridge Academy uses the middle school curriculum developed by the Core Knowledge Foundation because of its liberal arts’ emphasis and alignment to classical education philosophy. Core Knowledge Foundation is a non-profit organization that has outlined a guide to a specific, solid core curriculum to help students establish strong foundations of knowledge, grade by grade. English, History, Art, and Music are taught in an integrated fashion. The periods studied in History drive the curriculum, and the objectives covered in English, Music, and Art are designed to complete the study of the time covered in History.

Benefits of Core Knowledge:

  • 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
  • Provides a common focus to share knowledge and expertise
  • Decreases learning gaps
  • Provides a strong foundation of knowledge for success in high school and beyond
  • 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

Classroom Structure

Fifth grade was officially added to the School of Logic in the 2023-2024 school year. Fifth graders in the School of Logic experience an increase in rigor through their academic classwork, organization and study habits, and in-class behavior expectations. This prepares them for the full seven period class rotation of the grades 6-8 years. Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, fifth grade students will rotate between three teachers for Science, History, and PIN (Poetry, Idioms, and Novels), as well as their specialist teachers, as they do in School of Grammar grades K-4.

Sixth grade is designed to be a transition between the classroom setting of grades K-5 and the rotating structure of grades 7 and 8. All students in grades 6-8 have a seven period class schedule, including a 30-minute Study Hall. Students take courses in English/Language Arts, Math, Science, History, Art, Music, Physical Education, and Latin. A student’s math course is determined by prior math level and scores on a placement exam. Students may request their preference of Music courses: Band, Orchestra, Choir, or General Music. Music and Physical Education alternate on an A and B Day rotation, and sixth graders will have Art alternate with Scholar Skills on an A and B Day arrangement. Students who receive Intervention supports in math, reading, or English Language may have those arranged in 25-minute blocks during their scheduled courses.

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EAGLE RIDGE ACADEMY CURRICULUM

CORE KNOWLEDGE

Eagle Ridge Academy uses the middle school curriculum developed by the Core Knowledge Foundation because of its liberal arts’ emphasis and alignment to classical education philosophy.

Core Knowledge Foundation is a non-profit organization that has outlined a guide to a specific, solid core curriculum to help students establish strong foundations of knowledge, grade by grade.

English, History, Art, and Music are taught in an integrated fashion. The periods studied in History drive the curriculum, and the objectives covered in English, Music, and Art are designed to complete the study of the time covered in History.

BENEFITS OF CORE KNOWLEDGE:

  • 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
  • Provides a common focus to share knowledge and expertise
  • Decreases learning gaps
  • Provides a strong foundation of knowledge for success in high school and beyond
  • 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

KEYSTONES of the Eagle Ridge Academy CORE KNOWLEDGE Curriculum

HISTORY

History provides students with many different perspectives on the people who shaped the world. The middle school history courses require students to evaluate their views and interpretations. Students are active participants on this journey into the past and apply lessons from this class to their everyday life and their understanding of current events. Class sessions focus on history, geography, archeology, civics, educated reasoning, current events/ connections, and writing.

A variety of strategies cover these topics. These strategies may include lectures, whole group, and small group discussions, research, and activities.

ENGLISH

English introduces students to various literary genres and focuses on English language skills. Class sessions focus on literature, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, and writing. A variety of strategies cover these topics. These strategies include lectures, whole group, and small group discussions, research, and activities.

Students read a variety of novels related to specific periods in history. They also study grammar, vocabulary, and spelling; and develop writing skills by connecting writing to novels and other courses.

MATH

Middle school students will use the Saxon math program. Saxon’s instructional approach breaks complex concepts into simpler increments, recognizing that smaller pieces of information are easier to teach and easier to learn. The instructions, practice, and assessment of those increments are systematically distributed across grade levels.

Once a topic is presented, students are continually exposed to the topic in the daily problem sets that follow. The available courses are Saxon Course 2, Course 3, and Algebra 1. Some students may advance into high school math courses if they meet the placement criteria.

LATIN

The study of Latin helps improve English vocabulary because it is the foundation of the English language, it improves grammar knowledge and understanding through a structured grammatical framework, and is a good base for future romance language studies such as Spanish and French. It is the trademark of Classical Education. Students are placed in middle school Latin I, II, or III based on previous experience, regardless of their grade level.

SCIENCE

Middle school science introduces students to various fields of study in life, earth, and space science; emphasizes learning and applying the scientific method. A variety of strategies will be used to cover these topics. These strategies will include lectures, lab experiences, research, projects, whole group, and small group discussions, and inquiry activities.

The ARTs – ART

This class offers a unique experience of art history and studio art. Students engage in the study of key figures, groups, movements, and artworks throughout the course of history as well as the dynamic process of actively creating art. Students gain both historical knowledge and creative skills.

The ARTs – MUSIC

Middle school students have the following music choices: General Music, Orchestra, Band, or Choir. Students will be enrolled in only one music course.

General Music

The general music course teaches a basic vocabulary of music elements that can inform the discussion, appreciation, and study of selected musical works. Each grade also studies a designated core of musical content, with attention to specific historical periods, composers, and genres, as outlined in the Core Knowledge Curriculum. Some in-class music performances, both vocal and instrumental, will accompany these studies, at the discretion of the instructor.

Orchestra

Middle school students have the opportunity to further their musical skills through a large ensemble experience. In an orchestral ensemble, students will choose from one of the following instruments: violin, viola, cello, or double bass. Repertoire will be selected to best fit the needs of the ensemble and graded, evening performances will be required. In addition to the performance aspect of this course, music theory and history will be taught in accordance with the Core Knowledge Curriculum.

Band

A second large ensemble aimed at furthering instrumental skills is band. As with the orchestral option, students will select one of the following instruments: flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, or percussion. Additional instruments may be added at the discretion of the director. Repertoire will be selected to best fit the needs of the ensemble and graded, evening performances will be required. In addition to the performance aspect of this course, music theory and history will be taught in accordance with the Core Knowledge Curriculum.

Choir

Middle school students wishing to further their vocal music studies may select choir. Participation in this ensemble will involve the study of foundational vocal techniques, including but not limited to breathing, sound production, pitch-matching, and tuning. Singing will be a daily expectation. Repertoire will be selected to best fit the needs of the ensemble and graded, evening performances will be required. In addition to the performance aspect of this course, music theory and history will be taught in accordance with the Core Knowledge Curriculum.

Schedule a Tour

Please visit this page to connect with Eagle Ridge Academy! We are excited to offer tours throughout the school year. You are also invited to join us at one of our annual Enrollment Extravaganzas. During the Fall and Winter Enrollment Extravaganzas, families will have the opportunity to meet Eagle Ridge Academy educators, see the classrooms, and tour the facility.

Open House Dates for 2024-25

  • Fall Enrollment Extravaganza: Saturday, November 16, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
  • Winter Enrollment Extravaganza: Thursday, January 9, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Registration for Eagle Ridge Academy’s Enrollment Extravaganzas will open after October 1.

Enrollment Application

Enrollment is open to all Minnesota students. The open enrollment application period for the 2024-2025 school year will begin October 1, 2024, and run through January 15, 2025. The online application will allow you to select which school year (2024-2025 or 2025-2026) you are interested in applying for. The enrollment application for 2024-2025 is still open here. There are currently openings for this school year in grades 8-12. Students in grades K-7 applying for this school year will be added to the waitlist.

The enrollment lottery will take place on January 22, 2025, at 1:15 p.m.

  • Sibling preference is given if you have a sibling currently attending Eagle Ridge Academy. *Families with multiple children: sibling preference will be given once one sibling is enrolled.
  • Lottery results for 2025-2026 will be communicated in February 2025 via email.
  • After the lottery, applications will be processed and placed onto the appropriate grade level wait list in the order that they are received.
  • View more information about the 2025-26 enrollment lottery here.
  • View the District Parent Letter: Ethnic and Racial Demographic Designation here.

Janice Gerheart, Admissions Specialist – enrollment@eagleridgeacademy.org