The Chapel Hill Academy Elementary/Middle School program serves student in grades Kindergarten through eighth grade.
Our Elementary/Middle curriculum is designed to provide each student with a full and comprehensive primary educational program while providing the emotional, behavioral and social supports the students need for optimal success.
All Elementary/Middle School program subjects follow the NJ Student Learning Standards and are taught by certified and highly-qualified teachers. Differentiated instruction is utilized in every class to ensure the implementation of each IEP, and to fully engage students in learning.
The Chapel Hill Academy Leaming Disability Teacher Consultant (LDTC) meets with all new students and through informal testing, record review, and observation determines the most appropriate math and literacy group for each student. Student learning styles and social and emotional needs are also considered in this process. Pre and post assessments are conducted throughout the school year to ensure student progress and to identify students who may require further remediation.
Literacy is a 50 minute class, and utilizes literature as the foundation for instruction. Supplemental resources including Scholastic News, Newsela, and RAZ kids are also used to increase fluency and sustained reading as well as to develop critical thinking skills. Writing activities are typically correlated to the reading and include a wide variety of genres. Student writing pieces, including evidence of the process and corresponding rubrics, are compiled into individual portfolios to track and monitor progress.
Mathematics is a 50-minute class period using Houghton Mifflin’s Go Math as the basis for instruction. Each class includes a combination of direct instruction, independent practice, Problem of the Day, and the frequent use of manipulatives and technology. These practices help students develop a scope of skills that directly correlates to curriculum. An emphasis is placed on the application of skills which reinforces deeper thinking.
Elementary/Middle School Science uses the McGraw-Hill Inspire series that encompasses both interactive online resources and up to date textbooks, which are used as a reference. All students attend science lab weekly where they have the opportunity to participate in a full lab experience including wearing lab coats and goggles.
Elementary/Middle School Social Studies uses the Houghton Mifflin Kids Discover series. This series includes online textbooks, interactive materials, and printed textbooks that are in magazine form. This format is especially helpful for students and breaks the larger content down into smaller, more manageable units. There is a strong emphasis on projects, hands-on experiences, and group work.
Technology — including Promethean Boards, laptop computers and iPads — enriches the academic curriculum and facilitates interactive learning experiences among students and teachers.
Physical Education, art, music, conversational Spanish, health, computers and social skills fill out the rest of the schedule. Electives are club type activities that occur weekly. Students can sign up for different electives throughout the school year.