Curriculum

ACST’s play-based preschool program is developmentally appropriate and fun! Our multi-age classes of three- and four-year-old explorers discover and learn through structured play and inquiry while building essential social and collaboration skills. Early literacy concepts are developed through interactive reading and writing centers, and phonemic awareness is reinforced through song, rhyme, and kinesthetic movement. Early mathematics understanding is built with hands-on activities. Our youngest learners experiment with science through investigations that highlight the wonder in our natural world. Preschool units of study are aligned to the New York Early Learning Standards.

Literacy for life—that’s our motto. And that’s why our K-10 English/Language Arts curriculum is learner-centered and responsive. Our literacy program is aligned to the Common Core Learning Standards and uses a reading and writing workshop approach, where students experience authentic literacy environments and learn to read and write in a variety of modes and genres. Using a combination of published books, teacher-written models, and student exemplars as mentor texts, our learners develop the ability to read and understand increasingly complex texts and produce clear and coherent writing for a variety of audiences and purposes. Our word-study program starts with a structured phonics approach that supports the development of spelling and vocabulary through personalized instruction. Grammar and conventions are taught in context, drawing from students' own writing to model and reinforce language use. In our IB Diploma Programme, students can choose to take Language and Literature at either the Standard Level or the Higher Level. At ACST, our goal is to develop a life-long love for reading and writing in each of our students. 

Mathematics is centered on deep comprehension. Our K-10 Common Core aligned program emphasizes conceptual understanding, problem-solving, and reasoning while building essential mathematical content and skills. Students are encouraged to explore multiple strategies for solving problems and to articulate and justify their thinking. By applying the Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice, learners focus on conceptual understanding, procedural skills, and fluency with equal importance. Our elementary model equips students to approach progressively more complex mathematical challenges as they transition into secondary math courses. 
In our IB Diploma Programme, students can choose between two newly-developed math courses at either the Standard Level or the Higher Level: Applications & Interpretation, or Analysis & Approaches. 
 

We are scientists! We are engineers! With our Next Generation-aligned Science curriculum, students develop conceptual understanding, content knowledge, and skills by using the NGSS-aligned science and engineering practices. This robust three-dimensional standard-based approach invites students to experience phenomena-based science learning in carefully sequenced units of study that integrate life, physical, and earth and space science with engineering and technology. This integrated science learning progression leads students to make informed decisions about their many IB Diploma Programme choices in science: IB Biology (SL or HL), IB Physics (SL or HL), IB Chemistry (SL or HL), or IB Environmental Systems and Societies (SL only).

ACST provides both physical education and health/wellness classes that are standards-based and sequenced. Using the SHAPE Physical and Health Education Standards, our curriculum is skill-based and developmentally appropriate. Beginning in elementary school, students learn and practice the basics of locomotor skills and movement patterns while building their understandings of healthy living, sportsmanship, and personal responsibility. In Secondary school, students hone their ability to apply movement strategies in game and sport situations as well as broaden their understanding of fitness and health knowledge and skills. Our physical and health education progression begins in Preschool and extends until Grade 10. While our physical education teachers implement a majority of our health lessons, classroom teachers and counselors also play an important role in ensuring that our health and wellness curriculum is effectively learned by all students.

We are social scientists! Our newly-developed College, Career, and Civic Life (C3)-aligned social studies course progression allows for students to take on the many roles of social scientists: geographers, historians, economists, cultural anthropologists, and global citizens. Within inquiry-infused units of study, students develop conceptual understanding across the many disciplines of social science and use sources to support evidence-based claims. Compelling questions encourage cross-disciplinary investigation, informed civic action, and integrated service opportunities. In our IB Diploma Programme, students can choose between IB History (SL or HL), IB Geography (SL or HL) or IB Business Management (SL or HL).

Being multilingual is an important part of our world at ACST. From an early age, our learners are given opportunities to build their proficiency in French, Arabic or German. Using the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Can-Do Statements for our non-native students and the Common Core ELA Standards for proficient students, our proficiency-based world languages curriculum aims to build communicative abilities for all students. World language learners are given continual opportunities to demonstrate proficiency in the Interpretive modes of Reading and Listening, the Presentational modes of rehearsed reading and writing, and the interpersonal mode of spontaneous listening and speaking in unrehearsed conversation. Secondary students can become proficient in Arabic or French as an additional World Language and choose to take either a DP Language B course (for non-native speakers available in both SL or HL) or a DP ab. initio course in French or Arabic. Proficient French or German speakers may choose to take DP Language and Literature in their native language.

ACST offers opportunities for artistic and musical expression to all students from preschool through grade 12. Using a sequential and process-based arts curriculum that aligns with the National Core Arts Standards, teachers provide students with a broad range of opportunities to develop artistic literacy through creating, performing or presenting, connecting, and reflecting. In the elementary grades, students engage with music, movement, and speech through the Orff Approach, alongside a variety of artistic media, techniques, and processes. In secondary school, students can explore drama as a part of their artistic development, participating in productions and developing performance skills. Additionally, students have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, join ensembles, or further develop their visual arts knowledge and skills. Within our IB Diploma Programme, students can continue their Visual Arts education by choosing IB Visual Arts at either Standard Level or Higher Level. 
 

Everyone at ACST is a social and emotional learning teacher. A crucial piece of teaching and learning is considering the whole child to ensure that they are enhancing their capacity to integrate skills, attitudes, and behaviors to deal effectively and ethically with daily tasks and challenges. Using the integrated CASEL Framework for Social & Emotional Learning, teachers and counselors deliver sequenced lessons that promote students’ self-awareness, self-management, and decision-making skills. In middle and high school, Falcon Time allows for small groups of students to learn about social and emotional growth with a teacher facilitator.