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Curriculum
It's all over the map. And that's a good thing.
Of the many benefits received by attending Jackson, none is as important as the formal education a child attains. But what exactly is formal? Yes, our diligent teaching staff covers all core academics and covers them extensively. Around here, however, much more goes on than just the basics.
As an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, Jackson instructors focus on the total growth of the child which includes a student's social, physical, emotional and cultural needs in addition to his/her academic development. The IB Primary Years Program (PYP) draws on research and best practices from a range of school systems with a wealth of knowledge and experience from international schools to create a relevant, engaging, challenging and significant educational framework for all children. The Georgia Performance Standards in ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies are also taught within the IB units of study. These units are both inquiry-based and concept driven. Inquiry-based simply means that students are encouraged to ask questions related to a unit, develop the skills required to solve problems, take self-initiated actions to answer their own questions and gain knowledge, and reflect on their individual learning processes. What's more, we also offer French language instruction. (More specifics on the IB PYP can be found at http://www.ibo.org/pyp/).
Core academics are also supplemented with a myriad of on-going events, clubs, and programs designed to introduce children to more real-world perspectives, international-mindedness, and strategic thinking. From Jackson GreenThink and Roots and Shoots, the school's official green and philanthropic efforts, respectively, students are pushed to not just think by the book, but to think outside the box. As a result, not only does awareness and knowledge of worldly issues grow, but also the importance of taking action in your community is instilled in our students.
Add to this a fun rotation of music, art, physical education, science lab, math lab, and computer lab, and it's a mix that makes for one exceptional journey through the elementary years.
Jackson also offers specialized instruction for students with learning disabilities, speech difficulties, and those encountering specific challenges with math and reading through the Early Intervention Program (EIP). We also provide our certified Challenge program for gifted learners.
Nine-week curriculum maps have been developed at each grade level, and are provided for your review via the links below. These maps are revisited (and revamped) on a regular basis to update the standards taught for those nine weeks, along with adding activities implemented that show mastery of the standards. Detailed standards and elements that students are expected to master at each grade level can be found at www.georgiastandards.org.
Warren T. Jackson IB PYP Program of Inquiry
Curriculum Maps