We believe that the best way to train and equip children to become strong, effective, and competent followers of Jesus Christ, prepared in every way to transform their world is through the intentional fusion of learning and faith taught in a Christian school.  We believe that great schooling must:

 

·        Be great scholastically

·        Be student-centered

·        Acknowledge Christ as Lord

 

Being great scholastically means that our fundamental purpose – schooling – is to be notably rich in knowledge and content.  We use avenues of instruction (i.e., textbooks, technology, projects) that take advantage of a child’s God-given curiosity and ability to acquire information.

 

Being a student-centered school means that decisions about schooling are based on what we believe is best for the student.  We have envisioned a set of characteristics, abilities, and skills a student will acquire upon graduation.  Being student-centered in this way gives us the means to examine how the curriculum will advance our vision for the student.

 

Acknowledging Christ as Lord means that He is given paramount rank in every endeavor of the School.

Curriculum -  2007-2008

 

We want children to learn that God is relevant in all subject matter and in every aspect of life.  We are committed to excellence in curriculum and in all areas related to the learning that takes place at the school.  We continually evaluate our curriculum and we have chosen what we believe to be the best on the market. 

 

Pre-Kindergarten

 

Our early childhood education program aligns with the newest Florida state legislation on kindergarten readiness.

 

The standards include:

 

·        Curriculum designed to prepare a student for early literacy

·        A minimum of 540-instructional-hours

·        Rigorous credentialing of staff

·        Maximum class size of 18 students

 

Our goal is to provide a stimulating environment in which each student will be encouraged to experiment and explore.  Our curriculum consists of units that revolve around various themes and topics.  During each theme students will have the opportunity to participate in developmentally appropriate activities that encourage growth in the following areas: social skills (sharing, cooperating, communicating), work habits (caring for materials, cleaning up, helping), Christian education (listening to Bible stories), personal skills (obeying, using manners), and readiness skills (retelling stories, counting, recognizing shapes, and relative size).

 

Materials will be available in various centers that are designed to facilitate learning.  Students will learn math and science through manipulation and experimentation with a variety of objects.  Oral and written language will be developed through story telling, sharing, drama, and creative play.  Pre-literacy skills will be developed through an integration of meaningful activities.

 

Summit Christian’s program is developmental in nature.  If a child is ready for the next step in his/her education, we will work with the child to keep the learning process ongoing.  Some of the main goals are the social and spiritual development of the child, eye-hand coordination, persistence at tasks, and following directions.  In the pre-kindergarten program, the second semester will include awareness of the letters A-Z, awareness of the numbers 1-31, and identification / writing of the child’s name, if able.

 

Kindergarten through Grade Seven

 

LANGUAGE ARTS

 

In our language arts program, the students are immersed in quality children's literature and are encouraged to respond to that curriculum in a variety of ways, including art, drama, writing, and sharing.  The reading program is driven through the use of literature-based materials.  In addition to the textbooks, multiple copies of novel books are used in the upper grades to extend the reading experience.  Phonetic skills are systematically developed through literature so that students learn not only to decode individual words, but also to comprehend what they are reading.  Reading instruction at the kindergarten through second grade levels is phonics based.

 

Spalding Phonics, published by Quill.

Open Court Reading, published by SRA/McGraw-Hill Education, 2002.

Open Court Phonics published by SRA/McGraw-Hill Education, 2002.

Shurley Grammar, published by Shirley Instructional Materials, 1997

Accelerated Reader Program, Renaissance Learning

Progeny Press, Literature from a Christian Perspective

 

MATH

 

Our math program is designed to meet the standards issued by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and to prepare students to be successful in mathematics in high school and beyond.  These standards, including problem solving and reasoning, are incorporated into the daily lessons through questions, practice sets, and activities using manipulatives.  Drill on the basic math facts is an integral part of the students’ learning, as well as an approach toward developing higher-order thinking skills. 

 

Grades Kindergarten – 4: Houghton-Mifflin Mathematics 2007.

Grades 5 – 8:  Glencoe Mathematics Applications & Concepts 2006.

 

 

 

 

BIBLE

 

Our Bible curriculum, written from a Reformed Christian perspective, presents the story of God and his people in chronological order.  It teaches the events in context so students understand more fully what it means to be a part of God's family.  It presents the Bible as the story of God's acts and words, written so that his people might know God and themselves, accept His gift of salvation, and live lives of joyful service and obedience.  Our approach intentionally aims at training and equipping students to become knowledgeable and competent followers of Jesus Christ.

 

The Story of God and His People published by Christian Schools International, 1989.

 

INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY INSTRUCTION

 

Summit has a 1:4 laptop to student ratio. To bring this technology meaningfully into the classroom, we utilize the award-winning web-based technology program for students called K to the 8^th Power that brings the major productivity software (Power Point, Word, Excel, Publisher, Microsoft Front Page, Inspiration, and Kidspiration and Paint) with over 500 integrated lessons to support the academic objectives in all the major subjects.  And most importantly, this integrated technology instruction begins in kindergarten and continues through the middle school.

 

We will provide the students with varied opportunities to explore and use computers, calculators and other forms of electronic equipment to prepare them for their future endeavors. Part of our technology instruction will focus on consideration of the moral and ethical choices we face when using modern technology. 

 

SCIENCE

 

Reflecting the current national science standards, our science program is a hands-on, experimental program that encourages students to become actively involved in scientific discovery.  Students are equipped to discover the infinite complexity and amazing orderliness of God’s world through an innovative study of life, earth and physical science from a clear, Christian perspective.  These concrete, creative learning experiences will enrich students’ knowledge of creation, affirm their faith in the Creator, and enable them to use science to the glory of God.

 

Science published by Christian Schools International, 2004.

 

HEALTH

 

Our health program uses a comprehensive health education curriculum that addresses the mental, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of health as well as the physical.  It helps students take responsibility for their health as individuals and as members of families and communities.  It gives them the opportunity to develop basic life skills, such as communicating, decision-making, and resolving conflicts in order to prepare them to meet the challenges of daily living.  Its Christian perspective leads students to recognize that a healthy lifestyle is a lifestyle of obedience to God.

 

Healthy Living published by Christian Schools International, 1992.

 

 

HISTORY-SOCIAL STUDIES-GEOGRAPHY

 

Students gain the knowledge, skills, and values they need for a lifetime of full and productive citizenship through studies of their world, country, state, community, and home. Students will understand and know how to analyze chronological relationships, and develop a sense of historical perspective.  Our approach guides students to understand God’s redemptive plan for humankind through the unfolding of various aspects and events.

 

A Beka History and Geography, 2004.

Steck-Vaughn - Maps and Globes, 2004.

 

INSTRUMENTAL BAND

 

The study of music is one of the most valuable steps in a student’s education.  Some of the many benefits include an increased sense of responsibility, mental discipline, teamwork, and above all an enjoyment and lifelong appreciation for God’s gift of music.  At Summit, students in third through seventh grade may elect to participate in Instrumental Band and/or keyboard.  Each year, district festivals give the students the opportunity to experience playing in larger bands and to interact and learn from one another.

 

ENRICHMENT

 

In order to further enhance the aesthetic, physical, and academic aspects of the curriculum, enrichment activities will be integrated into the educational program.  These will include, but may not be limited to, music, art, physical education, Spanish, computer literacy, and field trips.

 

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

 

The cornerstone of our Spanish instruction is the highly acclaimed Rosetta Stone.  The guiding principle behind learning a new language is dynamic immersion – the method that we all used to master our first

language.  First, students will learn through context with no translation or memorization to hold them back.  Second, they will receive immediate reinforcement of correct pronunciation utilizing voiceprint technology.  Finally, the curriculum is carefully sequenced, gradually incorporating new words, phrases, and more complex grammar as it reinforces existing learning.  In other words, a student’s understanding of the new language grows naturally.