K-8 Program
For the Kindergarten to eighth grade, the Academy established an integrated curriculum. It is the combination of a) the Core Knowledge Curriculum supplemented by the Baltimore Curriculum Project (A curriculum project developing and assessing the Core Knowledge Sequence), b) SRA Direct Instruction for language arts, spelling, reasoning and writing, c) the Step Up To Writing Program, d) Saxon math program and the Integrated Math Program (IMP), and e) Wild Goose Science Program. This provides a content-rich, high expectation, back-to-basics learning environment sought after and chosen by the students and families at our school.
An emphasis of the Core Knowledge Curriculum is to establish cultural literacy for all students. “Literate culture is the most democratic culture in our land: it excludes nobody; it cuts across generations and social groups and classes; it is not usually one’s first culture, but it should be everyone’s second, existing as it does beyond the narrow spheres of family, neighborhood, and region.” (E. D. Hirsch, Jr., Cultural Literacy, Vintage Books, pg 21). Core Knowledge helps students establish strong foundations of core knowledge for higher levels of learning. It is a sequential program of specific grade-by-grade topics for core subjects.
Through testing, placement, and quality instruction, students develop talents in areas such as phonics, literature, penmanship, writing, speech, language, logic, civics, history, geography, computer skills, math, scientific reasoning, arts, music, and physical education. The educational program is designed to support and exceed state and district standards. The curriculum provides essential skills for students to be successful in the Colorado Students Assessment Program and the Literacy Act. Through intentional DI and a proven reading/reasoning/writing program, the Academy is committed to advancing all students towards proficiency and above on the CSAP.
Frontier Academy has structured its instructional day to allow for collaborative instruction between classes and grades. A student who is excelling, or is above grade level in a specific content area, may “travel” to a higher grade to receive advanced instruction. It is beneficial for the student, as the goal is to have a student “master” each subject content area prior to moving ahead. Having all teachers instruct the same content unit at the same time also allows greater assistance to those students who have not yet achieved grade level.
Learning to Potential (LTP) classes are a special feature of Frontier Academy. These classes are designed to give special help to students struggling in a subject or performing below grade level, as well as for students who excel in a particular subject. Students are re-grouped with other students of similar needs for these classes that are held during the normal school day. Students working below grade level in some subject get the particular help they need to improve. Students who excel in some subjects will be further challenged by their LTP classes, so they will have the opportunity to develop their special talents.
9-12 Program
Our high school program builds on a strong foundation of the K-8 Core Knowledge Curriculum. We have developed a high school curriculum that is challenging yet encourages students to reach their potential and strive to work hard. We have designed a program that will help prepare students for entrance in colleges, universities, or other post-secondary programs. Frontier Academy's graduation requirements exceed the state requirements and exceed the expectations of most other high schools, especially in core areas such as English, mathematics, and science. Our requirements are designed to meet the minimum requirements for most college programs and help students be prepared. We recognize that some of our students may not choose to enter college after high school yet we want all the students to be ready if they do have college in their plans.