Planned Location: Savage/Shakopee area
Grades K-8 (but will start with grades K-2)
www.aspenacademymn.org
Chartered in 2007
For More Information, Please Contact:
Misty Schutrop
AspenAcademyMN@q.com
612-986-5762
Curriculum at Aspen Academy:
Core Knowledge
In an effort to educate children in a way that fosters cultural literacy and an understanding of the world around them, we will implement a curriculum using the Core Knowledge Scope and Sequence.
Singapore Math
The Academy intends to use the Singapore Math curriculum as its mathematics component. This system is designed to build a foundation of arithmetic theory into students that will position them for more advanced math.
Language Arts
Aspen plans to implement a language arts program that is currently being developed by the Core Knowledge Foundation. At this time, the Foundation has a Kindergarten program and expects to have materials for grades 1 and 2 ready for the 2008-09 school year. It also expects to develop materials for the later grades in subsequent years. This new Core Knowledge program will combine phonics-based instruction in decoding skills with an extensive read-aloud program that will build vocabulary and background knowledge.
Second Language Instruction
We believe that the study of a second language will enhance the students' perspective of the world around them, as well as facilitate their participation in it though the understanding of people from another culture, and promote an ability to communicate with many people in their own neighborhood. Thus, Spanish will be introduced to students at Aspen beginning in Kindergarten. In addition, Latin study will be introduced early on as a way to increase the understanding of the English language and compliment the study of other languages.
Music and Art
In an effort to help each child achieve a balanced, well-rounded education, we will integrate Music and Art as stated in the Core Knowledge Sequence.
Academic Rigor
Our focus will be on academic rigor. Accelerated achievement at all levels of academic ability will be encouraged. Each child will be offered an education that ensures the fundamental skill-sets and knowledge for higher education and instills a desire for life-long learning. Aspen will also hire staff members trained to provide specialized learning programs to ensure that no student is left behind, regardless of ability. All staff members will receive comprehensive and ongoing training in Core Knowledge, Singapore Math, and other course-relevant instructional components to help provide the best possible learning opportunities. To that end, it will be especially important to integrate nonverbal forms of human communication including art and music, which will enhance the Core Knowledge curriculum and allow our students to grow into well-rounded, thoughtful, and insightful human beings. As opposed to graduates of many more traditional schools, students will leave the Academy with an educational foundation that will stand them in good stead as they pursue further education and educated lives.