The theme of the Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School is: A Classical Learning Experience of Content‐Rich Academics, Cultural Literacy, and Character Education.
Classical Learning Experience means teaching and learning that emphasizes literacy and the development and rigorous application of the skills of logic, critical thinking, abstraction, and the ability to speak and write persuasively in all subject areas. Classical instruction at Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School will be systematic and rigorous. The early years of school are spent absorbing ideas, facts, and information, systematically laying the foundation for advanced study. In the middle grades, students will learn to formulate and think through arguments, and finally, they learn to express themselves, articulating their conclusions in clear, forceful, elegant language. Students at Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School make connections between significant current and past events, and relevant facts and information. In the end, the goal is to develop in students the skills to analyze, understand, and articulate both sides of any given issue in the full range of critical academic subject areas.
Content‐Rich Academics means focusing on the belief that knowledge builds on knowledge. We apply the classical methods of systematic, rigorous instruction to a knowledge based, content‐ rich core curriculum. This provides a coherent, content‐specific foundation for learning and a guide to sequential, coherent content from grade to grade, designed to encourage cumulative academic progress as children build their knowledge and skills from one year to the next.
Cultural Literacy means exposing students to the evolving body of basic knowledge that every educated American student should study and know. Cultural literacy is knowledge of the history, contributions, and perspectives of different cultural groups, including one’s own group, necessary for comprehension and understanding of critical issues and information, and for reading, writing, and communicating effectively on those issues. A focus on cultural literacy gives global perspective to our curriculum. It will prepare students to join and contribute to the “Great Conversation” taking place in our nation today. Developing informed world citizenship is our goal. In today’s world, technological literacy is a key part of cultural literacy.
Character Education means providing direct teaching of core character values and behaviors, consistent with the standards of respect, ethics, and responsibility – not as an adjunct, but as a full and equal partner to the instructional program at Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School. The Character Education Program is designed to support and enrich the school’s academic efforts. Character Education is a powerful and critical support to the school’s instructional program, essential in preparing our students for civic engagement that reflects concern for the welfare of others and a willingness to act in service of the common good.