The early years of a child's educational experience greatly affect future learning and achievement. This is a crucial time in the establishment of academic foundations combined with an intrinsic delight in learning. Beacon provides the direction and environment for growth of the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical education of the total child.

To enhance learning and insure each child develops optimally, a flexible, dynamic process is practiced. A complex, completely enriched and accelerated curriculum creates the structure for learning. Students learn at a faster pace and higher level. Enrichment extends the learning both horizontally and vertically. This combination enables every child to develop optimally, yet work at instructional levels in content areas.  

There are many components in our well- rounded program. Our curriculum is designed to provide every child with a variety of instructional techniques that address different learning styles. Children have many different kinds of intelligence, interests, and abilities that are addressed and utilized when structuring for success.  The middle school curriculum includes preparation for International Baccalaureate high school programs.

On-going assessment is at the heart of our accountability process. Faculty is aware of every child's current instructional levels, and can quickly accommodate differences. An Individual Education Plan, (IEP), is prepared for every child.

Academic Areas	Enrichment Areas	Social Areas
Reading	Foreign Language	Self-Discipline
Mathematics	Music	Responsibility
Language Arts	Art	Interpersonal Skills
Spelling	Physical Education	Positive Characters
Grammar	Drama and Speech	Communication
Science	Creativity	Decision Making
Social Studies	Higher Level Thinking	Sense of Contribution
Writing Skills	Enrichment Seminars	Study Skills
Individual Expression	Research Skills	Computer/Technology

Individual Education Plan

Teachers and administrators prepare an Individual Education Plan, (IEP), annually, for each child, Junior Kindergarten through eighth grade. This is an essential component in our accountability process, and creates a path we follow to individualize for every child. Parent collaboration is extremely important.   We work as a team to plan the best educational experience for each child.   Specific interests, strengths, and learning styles are incorporated to ensure success, and areas that need to be strengthened and enhanced are identified.

A wide variety of instructional techniques are incorporated. Children are structured for success: instruction is presented in a multi-sensory, eclectic manner. Several approaches are incorporated to facilitate strengths and strengthen weaknesses. Learning is wonderful, so lively discussions, hands on experiences, field trips, and activities that engage a child's interests are recommended.

Differentiation in content, activities, and levels of work is offered according to student need and ability. This enables teachers to adapt instruction so it will result in success for an individual child.

Whole group, small group, and cooperative group learning are utilized.   Individual research and small group projects provide variety, encourage collaborative projects, and peer interactions. Flexible movement between groupings is useful in providing appropriate instructional levels.

Math

Students learn through a comprehensive program that combines experiential work, traditional curricula, and real life problem solving. This comprehensive math program is supplemented with enrichment lessons, problem-solving strategies, practical application, and use of manipulatives, which fosters real understanding. Math skills are presented at each grade level, and accelerated math is offered in middle school.

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Language Arts

The language arts program focuses on the development of grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, expository and narrative writing, and communication. A solid spelling program compliments this strong curriculum. Systematic development of expository and creative writing begins in Kindergarten, and becomes more sophisticated year by year.

Science

Science is thrilling! General, physical, earth, and life science, have a place at Beacon Country Day School. Experiential learning in the lab makes science come alive. As students use both inquiry and knowledge based approaches, foundations for science grow, and children begin to think about science in real life problem solving. Our natural ecology provides an outdoor lab right on campus. The bi-annual science fair is a wonderful way students can demonstrate their knowledge of a particular scientific concept or try out one of their own hypotheses.

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Social Studies

Presented daily throughout the school year, social science integrates global studies, history, geography, ancient cultures, and current events. The curriculum provides a solid understanding and an awareness of our world and how mankind functions. Another focus is how man relates in all societies and his responsibility to our environment and world. Students are exposed to a strong liberal arts format in social sciences, and study the community, U.S. History, Ancient Western Civilization, and European and Western History.   Special projects make history come alive as students present historical characters, or study historical events. Student Council facilitates real life experiences.

Fine and Performing Arts:   Music, Art, and Drama

Children express themselves through the arts beginning in Junior Kindergarten, as they experience painting, sculpting, music, drama, or take music lessons.   The arts stimulate creativity, enjoyment of the arts and enhance the “total child's” development. The art program offers children an opportunity to learn about design elements and experiment with sketching, pastels and watercolor. Art supports academics while facilitating creativity. The creative arts projects students produce for the bi-annual Art Fair are amazing!

Music promotes an appreciation of music, rhythm, musical notation, and musical concepts. Our children participate in many fun lessons while learning about tempo, beat, and rhythm. Our students perform a musical or play once a year for parents and the school community.

Physical Education

The development of strength, flexibility, endurance, fine and gross motor skills, fitness, and team spirit are promoted and enhanced in physical education. A beautiful, well-equipped gym and soccer field offer opportunities for soccer, running, basketball, field hockey, and volleyball. Beacon Country Day School has been the State Champion for the President's Physical Fitness Award for several years.

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French

French instruction begins in Junior Kindergarten so children may establish a basic vocabulary and appreciation for different languages and cultures. French and English are the most widely used world languages for science, commerce, and diplomacy. Initially, puppets, music, games and stories are used to introduce French, and followed later by reading, writing and grammar.

Computer Technology

From keyboarding skills to formulating spreadsheets, our computer lab and technology classes prepare children for today's world. Our children learn to use Power Point, databases, graphics, animation, initial programming, Internet research, and a wide variety of computer skills. Our software library is extensive and varied, allowing for extensive exposures.  

Middle School Annual Trip

The middle school takes a weeklong trip each year to study science or social studies, and may go to Keystone Science Camp, Crow Canyon to study ancient Native American archeology and culture, or Estes Park to learn about habitats. These great experiences are combined with education, team building, and fun.

Study Hall and Individual Help

Teachers staff an after school study hall for students in fourth through eighth grades. Students may use the time to complete homework and to get some assistance with work. Many of our students and parents find this a valuable resource.

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