blue-ridge-christian-academy

Upper School Curriculum

 

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6th Grade and Above

The leaders of Blue Ridge Christian Academy have the exciting yet daunting task of choosing the curricula our students use. A variety of publisher’s materials are incorporated into our instructional program including Christian and secular where deemed an appropriate and “best” fit. Our ultimate goal is to point our students to the Creator of the universe and His Son, Jesus Christ. In light of this, we seek to nurture within our students a Christian world and life view that will, by God’s grace, enable them to impact the world for Christ. The curriculum listed below is subject to change but is written to keep parents and those interested in Blue Ridge Christian Academy informed as to how God is leading us.

Bible

The Story of God and His People – Christian Schools International Comments from the publisher - At the heart of every lesson at every grade level is a passage of Scripture. The presentation of stories is chronological in order to emphasize the relationship between individual stories and the overall story of the Bible. The entire chronological sequence of the Bible is repeated five times between K5 and 8th grade. Students are invited to believe that the Bible is God’s Word, to remember individual stories and the overall story of the Bible, and to understand the basic themes running through it. They are urged to accept God’s call to repentance, faith and service. In this way, the curriculum relates the Bible to the concerns of daily life.
 
Teacher –created materials (9th grade and above)
 
High school students continue to delve into God’s Word through courses specifically designed for them. They are challenged in areas of learning how to study the Bible and apply it to their lives as well as in wisdom living, discipleship, service, personal evangelism , apologetics and ethics.

Math

Horizons Mathematics – Alpha Omega Publications (6th grade) Continued review of concepts previously taught and introduction of more advanced concepts help in preparing our 6th graders for the more advanced math courses they will take during the remainder of middle and high school.

Glencoe / McGraw-Hill (7th grade and above)

7th Grade is a transitional year that takes each student from the concrete skills and basic algebra and geometry concepts taught in earlier grades and readies them for the more abstract concepts presented in future years. Both Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1 are offered to 8th graders. Regular and honors math classes continue to be offered in each grade throughout high school.

English

For our older students, Elements of Language - Holt, Rinehart, and Winston provides excellent reinforcement of grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills. Also, Elements of Literature and novel studies provide exposure to various genres of literature. Honors levels of English courses begin in 9th grade with Advanced Placement (AP) level courses available as applicable.

Science

Christian Schools International and Glencoe Science are interactive and hands-on. Topics covered in the elementary grades lay the foundation for the earth, life, and physical sciences in middle school and the more advanced sciences of high school. Students are exposed to the natural resources surrounding us as well as the best of other resources and publications.

Social Studies/History

Middle and high school students are taught history chronologically and in light of Christ’s supremacy. We believe and hold out to the students that our righteous, powerful, and merciful God has plans and purposes for peoples throughout all ages. The students are encouraged to recognize the common and unique characteristics that make up cultures all over the world and to trace the providences and works of God in each people and era. An overview of world history is taught in a three- year cycle from 6th to 8th grade. Numerous materials are utilized to provide a closer look at the cultures during each time period studied. Middle school students add more information and understanding to the framework in place from their earlier cycle of history in 3rd to 5th grade. High school students again consider world history and look in much more detail at US history, government and economics. Advance Placement courses are offered as applicable. The students are taught to use their developing reasoning skills and see themes, patterns, cause/effect and other relationships between times and cultures. History provides a great framework for interdisciplinary connectedness at BRCA. Selections for literature, music, art and drama are often tied to the time period/culture of study during the year. This provides an enjoyable opportunity for each student to grow in understanding and appreciation of a culture and point in history. Also, a beneficial aspect is the ability to have the older and younger grades studying the same historical period gather together for "period events" such as an Exodus, Greek Festival, Medieval Festival, or a Living History Museum.

Enrichment

In addition to the “core” subjects listed above, students are provided instruction in music, physical education, art, drama, keyboarding, Greek and Latin roots, logic, and foreign language (Latin in 6th, Spanish in High School).

Additionally, various clubs and athletic competition within the Blue Ridge Christian Conference are available to our students. We are also grateful for the marvelous setting in which God has placed us and benefit outdoors from soccer and baseball fields and many acres to explore. A gymnasium and outdoor hard-courts are under construction.

 

 

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