The child’s Individual Developmental and Educational Assessment (I.D.E.A.) incorporates:

• Information and conference sessions twice a year with parents.

• Review of developmental, medical, educational, and social history.

• Observation and data from the Academy’s faculty.

• Specifically designed program by The Academy director and faculty.

Based on the I.D.E.A., a specific and differentiated developmental-educational program is designed for each child and implemented throughout the day. Teaching techniques are unique, specific, and differentiated, based on:

• Receptive learning: how each child receives and processes information.

• Expressive learning: how each child outputs information.

The Academy strongly believes that parents know their children best! We want parents to understand how to be their child’s advocate throughout their lives, and how you and the Academy can work as partners to achieve a common goal-reaching the child’s potential. Parent communication and education include:

-Back-to-School nights

-App- Brightwheel – for communication, forms, staying connected, updates, tuition payments and photos.

-The I.D.E.A. (Comprehensive “report cards”)

-Daily and monthly activities which enable you to discuss your child’s day.

-Private parent conferences

-Daily, weekly, and monthly communication as needed. The Academy maintains an “open door” policy, and parents are always invited to discuss their child needs and progress.

-Participation in Academy activities such as: thematic parties, reading to the class, multicultural sharing, concerts and visiting.

A positive environment is defined as one in which the ratio of positive responses far outweighs every neutral or negative response the child receives. The Academy faculty is specifically trained to foster and maintain a positive environment at all times.

• Recognizing differences in learning styles: The Academy teaches tolerance and appreciation for these differences. Program design and activities for children of all learning styles are incorporated within an inclusive environment.

• Rewards: A reward is a response to a behavior that increases the frequency of that behavior. Primary (stickers, awards) and/or secondary (praise) rewards are presented to children throughout the day.

• Discipline: The Academy’s discipline program is based on “opposite positive” modeling and reinforcement. When children make mistakes and are corrected negatively, their attention shifts away from what they are doing and learning, and instead they learn to feel bad about themselves or their peers. The Academy provides positive environmental supports while teaching and focusing on the alternative positive behavior to be learned. Parents and teachers should refocus models and verbal responses to the positive. Children learn what they are told to Be. 

• Peer Bonding: Praise and encouragement among each child within a group provide the modeling to teach sharing, cooperation, personal space and working together.

• Consistency: Results from planning, teamwork, and cooperation between family members, parents, and teachers working together to develop a positive learning environment.

Lifelong curiosity is our goal at the Academy for Children. We make learning exciting and engaging. Every minute of the day is an opportunity for new understanding and growth. Our curriculum includes:

• Outdoor time on our playground for play, interaction, and fresh air.

• Art, Music, and movement classes for creativity and self-expression.

• Individualized coursework in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Spanish & French, and Social Studies.

• Activities inside and outside the classroom for experiential learning.

• Science and library activities for research and literary skills.

• Posing "Wh" questions to enhance critical thinking and independence of thought.