Core Knowledge encompasses more than just its curriculum. West Ridge Academy’s Pillars of Virtue – Respect, Responsibility, Gratitude, Community, Self Control, Integrity, Compassion, and Perseverance – define our school culture and are expected behavior for WRA students. Character is developed through a coherent program of expectations, modeling, and study of historical and literary figures. Our smaller student body means faculty and staff know WRA students by name and help ensure student accountability.

Respect: Showing consideration for others and their property; listening to and following instructions of those in authority; honoring others; following the Golden Rule; being courteous and polite.

Responsibility: Doing what we have said we will do; being accountable for our actions and consequences because we know right from wrong; being dependable and reliable; not making excuses or blaming others.

Gratitude: Gratitude is the virtue of being thankful for a benefit received. It creates goodness through a state of thankfulness.

Community: Using the rights and privileges one has as a member of the community to make that community a better place; being socially responsible; obeying the laws and rules; doing one’s part for the common good; respect authority; helping your community by volunteering service.

Self-Control: Being rational – acting out of reason, not anger; knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do; being in control of yourself, not letting others influence your decision as to what is right or wrong; being disciplined; having power over what you do.

Integrity: Knowing the difference between right and wrong and having the courage to do what is right, even when it is not easy to do so; living up to the highest ethical standard; not compromising one’s value; building and guarding your reputation.

Compassion: Taking a stand with others who are suffering; supportive companionship with someone in distress or in woe; identifying with another’s feelings.

Perseverance: Sticking to a purpose and never giving up on what one has to do; being determined to improve; being committed to justice; not leaving things unfinished; striving for excellence.

West Ridge Academy takes the safety of all students very seriously. WRA has a safety task force and emergency safety procedures. An Emergency Management Plan is available for review in the front office. In order to ensure the safe management of your child, each family must complete an Emergency Contact Form. This form must be updated whenever there is a change in address, home or work phone numbers, or emergency contacts. It is vital that parents keep the school office up-to-date with this information in case of personal or school emergencies.

West Ridge Academy’s curriculum, the Core Knowledge Sequence, encompasses language arts, mathematics, science, history, geography, fine arts, and physical education. The curriculum is characterized by knowledge that is:

Context-rich – lasting, unchanging knowledge such as important events of world history;

Cumulative – a planned progression building on students’ previous knowledge and eliminating excessive repetition and gaps;

Content specific – clearly defined knowledge at each grade level ensuring fairness for all students;

Coherent – explicit knowledge identifies what children should learn at each grade level to ensure an articulated approach to building knowledge across all grade levels.

To learn more about Core Knowledge click here:
www.coreknowledge.org

Classic Books, Substantial Content

Classic literature appropriate to the age and ability of each student is read extensively. Students are exposed to high quality reading materials to stimulate their interests and engage their minds.

The 3R’s and then some!

The skills of learning – reading, writing, calculating and speaking – are learned through a combination of curriculum content, modeling, coaching, and sensible practice. West Ridge teachers help students develop skills using specific programs including Sadlier Grammar, Thompson Grammar Launch, CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts), and Reveal Math.

More than just the facts!

It is not enough to acquire knowledge. The ability to see patterns and analyze facts is necessary to be able to influence and improve the world around us. At West Ridge Academy, progressive thinking skills, unique to each discipline, are used to guide young people in applying discernment to knowledge.

Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) is a comprehensive, preschool through fifth grade program for teaching reading, writing, listening, and speaking while also building students’ vocabulary and knowledge across essential domains in literature, global and American history, and the sciences. In the early grades, CKLA focuses on oral language development through carefully sequenced read-alouds as well as systematic instruction in reading and writing skills. In later grades, CKLA continues to advance students’ knowledge and vocabulary through read-alouds and in-depth discussions while also immersing students in complex texts and advanced writing assignments that draw on the academic content they’ve been engaged in since preschool.

• Core Knowledge Language Arts Program (CKLA) – Literacy instruction for grades K – 5. The Listening and Learning Strand and Skills Strand of this program support the Core Knowledge Sequence.

The 6th – 8th grade students cover all the information required in the 6th – 8th grade Core Knowledge Sequence for Language Arts. This includes a very thorough exposure to classical literature, rich vocabulary and spelling, Language Network and Thompson Grammar, Poetry, Public Speaking, and detailed instruction in the primary writing forms (narrative, descriptive, compare/contrast, creative, persuasive, research, and a standard letter).

Math learning thrives on exploration, conversation, and reflection. Reveal Math offers a unique instructional model helping teachers incorporate both inquiry-focused and teacher-guided instructional strategies to unlock their students’ mathematical potential. Reveal Math builds a community of math scholars who can effectively communicate, collaborate, and facilitate each student’s journey to becoming a problem-solver.

Reveal Math champions a positive classroom environment that is centered on the student’s curiosity and desire to learn. Daily instruction begins with a conversation aimed at sparking a student’s curiosity through observation, conjecture, and collaboration, giving students dedicated time to make sense of the problem. Then, Reveal Math encourages exploration, allowing learners to develop an understanding through rich tasks, productive struggle, and meaningful discourse.

Reveal Math is a math curriculum that supports the principles of procedural and conceptual approaches, building new knowledge on old knowledge, and helping students recognize multiple ways to solve a problem.

The Core Knowledge curriculum provides students with a solid background in art and music history, theory, and appreciation. 5th – 8th grade students may also choose from a Band or Choir elective. Art electives are available to choose from as well.

Healthy minds and healthy bodies work together. West Ridge Academy believes in a well-balanced education. Learning about health/wellness and lifetime sports are an important part of the educational experience. Physical Education is offered to grades K-8.