Academics
Curriculum

It is our goal at Veritas Academy to satisfy our distinctly classical, college-preparatory academic agenda with rigorous and relevant curricula. We solidify our curricular choices by evaluating them using the following criteria:

  • Academic validity, accuracy, and excellence as supported by the classical approach to education
  • Firm grounding in Biblical absolutes to allow ease of Biblical integration throughout all course materials
  • Parent-friendly, teacher-directed lessons with a secondary component of experiential, hands-on activities as a means to solidify previously imparted knowledge

Classical education expects more from its students than a basic mastery of a set of subjects.  It holds firm to the traditions of Western culture in viewing all subjects as inextricably linked, each in its way expressing some fundamental truth about God and the universe He created.  As characterized by the grammar stage of classical education, Veritas Academy emphasizes the accumulation of basic facts through the use of authentic literature and resources within the chronological progression of historical time periods.
Curriculum:
Language Arts

Our language arts program is divided into 3 main components: reading, spelling/writing, and grammar.  Early reading instruction is phonics-based and is paired with beginning handwriting, spelling, and grammar.  The introduction of quality literature is soon to follow along with the modeling of foundational grammar and writing techniques through various examples and activities. Some of the Language Arts curricula we use include:

   * Shurley Grammar
   * Spell to Write and Read


Math

Early, concrete math instruction is foundational for any further inquiry into the abstract areas of algebra, trigonometry, or calculus.  Saxon math is a system that has been trusted by schools for years to lay such a strong, secure foundation.  Its use of parent-friendly, scripted lessons and emphasis on memorization of facts and concepts allows it to fit perfectly into our classical, UMS model of instruction.  It also offers a variety of manipulatives and hands-on activities to help solidify these early math concepts.
History / Science

History is the framework that gives shape to the classical philosophy of education.  All other subject content is organized around the chronological study of historical time periods.  At Veritas Academy, students begin their journey through history in the first grade with the study of creation through the Fall of Rome.  Second grade takes off with the Barbarians and ends in the early Renaissance.  Third grade tackles the Age of Exploration and the early years of the United States of America.  Fourth grade rounds off the timeline with a greater study of the U.S. and how it fits within the modern world.  As Veritas Academy intends to expand, a rotational study of each of these historical time periods will be revisited more rigorously in 5-8th grade, and again in 9-12th  grade. Some of the History curricula we use include:

   * A Child’s History of the World
   * A History of US

Since, through the classical model, science and history relate so closely to one another, Veritas Academy places the two into one academic block or time period. This allows our first graders to explore astronomy and earth science alongside their historical study of creation and the ancient world. Second graders join in with the medieval characters they are studying as they gain a better understanding of the world of biology and human anatomy. Third graders experiment alongside the great chemists as they tackle beginning chemistry. And fourth graders experience first-hand the laws of physics and how their implications affect the modern world. Some of the Science curricula we use include:

   * Real Science 4 Kids
   * Delta/Foss Science kits

Electives

For the 2010-2011 school year, Veritas Academy will offer Art I/II/III, Music I/II/ III, and Spanish I/II/III within its electives block. Students must sign up for the entire block of electives as individual electives are not available at this time.
Extracurricular

It is the intent of Veritas Academy to offer various extracurricular activities that occur outside of the regular school hours, including:

   * competitive team sports
   * special interest clubs
   * other enrichment activities

If you or anyone you know is interested in contributing to the start-up of any such activities, please contact us.
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