Goal
Within the constructs of a traditional college preparatory program, we will refine, expand, and enhance our academic program to offer our students the best quality education with an emphasis on critical thinking, cutting edge subject matter, and life-long learning tools
Strategies
- Establish CFA as a Mel Levine "School Attuned"
The Schools
Attuned Program, based on the research of Dr. Mel Levine of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is a professional development program for educators. Teachers, then students, are taught to understand how people learn differently and what specific methods are best for each boy or girl. The Schools Attuned Program will give every CFA teacher advanced tools to analyze concerns of struggling students and to facilitate progress for advanced students. Additionally, a student will, with teacher coaching and varied lesson approaches, benefit by knowing the most effective ways he or she personally can learn. This self knowledge will be cultivated in whole class activities, group discussions, and individual sessions with staff members across subjects and school divisions.
- Re-examine and revise, where necessary, the entire CFA curriculum with an emphasis on scope, sequence, and suitability for inclusions.
It has been
some time since the CFA curriculum has undergone a complete review. New courses of the last ten years must be integrated. Scope and sequence should be streamlined, particularly between Divisions. Higher order thinking skills will be emphasized.
- Expand performing arts and video educational opportunities
Participation in dramatic and musical presentations breeds self-esteem, confidence, and passion in many students who may not gain these in the traditional classroom or on the athletic field. By tying dramatic presentations to specific academic unit objectives in various Middle and Lower School classes, students learn more easily, retain concepts longer, and see interconnections better. Recent research relative to video indicates 80% of information received by this generation of students will be from video sources rather than the written word. These video sources include the Internet, television, movies, and performer videos. To restrict learning to written sources would be tantamount to condemning students to partial illiteracy.
- Increase physical education opportunities
Researchers in child and neurological development have proven that increased activity in this area has a number of benefical effects on academic performance, attention, focus, social progress, and physical health.
- Establish a Writing Laboratory for the Upper and Middle Schools
Studies show that writing skills are one of the two or three best predictors of adult success in the working world. The best writing needs a lot of attention to revision, development of a personal style, and individual personal encouragement.
- Within an Environmental Science program, expand Marine Science to addtional grades
Skills in critical thinking and the scientific method can be more easily taught with attractive themes and accompanying first-hand experiences. Furthermore, experiences which include Upper School science students teaching younger children have school community benefits beyond the subject matter itself. Continued collaberations with the UNCW Marine Science Center will facilitate practical and college-level opportunities.
- Add additional foregin languages to curriculum
Global thinking suggests immersion into non-Western cultures, especially cultures that will be of world importance in the immediate future and be occupationally advantageous. Chinese, as well as some European languages such as French, German, and Latin will be offered online as demand and resources permit.
|
