Active, Individualized Learning at an Accredited Christian School
Grants Pass Adventist School is proud of its high-quality academics, but what good is a rigorous curriculum if your child does not feel safe, valued, and recognized in the classroom?
In the classroom, your child will enjoy competitive academics presented by caring teachers who take time to get to know each student—the perfect combination for optimum learning. The comprehensive curriculum is then tailored to varied learning strengths, utilizing Differentiated Instruction and Choice Theory along with our Pathways 2.0 curriculum at our Christian school.
DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION
Grants Pass Adventist School practices differentiated instruction, made possible by the favorable student-teacher ratio. Since every student learns differently, each teacher seeks to hone in on each student’s individual strengths and guide them through the same curriculum but with varied methods. To find out more about this method of education that is growing in popularity across the nation, read more here.
LANGUAGE ARTS
Pathways 2.0 is a Bible-focused language arts program tailored to grades 1-8, and it adheres to the principles upheld in the fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This curriculum incorporates age-appropriate “anchor texts” to support the biblical concepts in each lesson, establishing a strong moral base while also strengthening reading comprehension.
Many of these anchor texts are available from Pacific Press, such as Heroes, My World and Others, Living Things, Walking with God, Friends and Family, Environment, Personal Feelings and Growth, Yesterday, and Social Issues and Culture. Each have strong spiritual themes. Other books used at Taught By a Tiger ad Charlie Horse.
This “guided reading” is key, as Pathways focuses on word study, vocabulary, phonemic awareness, comprehension and writing. This is to prepare students to be lifelong readers and learners.
BIBLE
The Encounter Bible curriculum covers grades 1-12 and is meant to foster each child’s faith and strengthen their bond with God. The Bible is represented as the ultimate standard, and each unit explores a biblical concept that can be applied to everyday life. Students will look at the “hows” and “whys” behind salvation through Jesus. This curriculum meets all standards of the North American Bible Standards Committee and integrates each fundamental belief of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
We reinforce classroom lessons by urging a close relationship with Jesus and continual prayer. We are strong advocates of family worship and daily personal prayer time. We provide numerous occasions for worship and community service for His sake.
Through Bible study, students grow spiritually and emotionally. They develop and strengthen their personal belief system. Ethics and moral dilemmas are discussed. Students get a chance to look inward at who they are, and to see how their morality, actions and decisions impact one another. Most importantly, they grow in their walk with Jesus.
Worship is held in each classroom at the beginning of each school day.
Each Friday morning the whole school family participates in Chapel, a worship experience in which students can participate in active praise to God through song and testimony, while also fortifying biblical lessons and applying them to their young lives. We also host two “Weeks of Prayer” (fall and spring), featuring our pastors and special guests.
COMPUTER STUDIES (TECHNOLOGY)
In our increasingly complex and technology-driven world, students must be comfortable using computers in appropriate situations. Every classroom is equipped with several Internet-ready computers or tablets. Upper grade students often use the Google in the Classroom platform for assignments.
Using technology effectively, we can communicate and process information more rapidly than ever. It is a part of our lives at school, at home, at work, and in our churches. We have a responsibility to use this technology is a way that enriches all of our lives.
Students will learn the proper purposes of the Internet and are carefully supervised in its use. Educational games improve Bible knowledge, as well as math, spelling and writing skills. They will learn keyboarding, word processing and spreadsheet programs, and create online research projects.
Students may do presentations using PowerPoint. Overall, students will learn that technology can be a platform improve and amplify their work, and especially to share Jesus with the world.
LANGUAGE ARTS
Students will adopt a Christ-centered perspective in all forms of expression. The application of logic and critical thinking will be balanced with creative expression in language arts. Skills to improve aptitude with spelling, vocabulary, grammar, phonics, reading, and writing are taught at all levels. In the lower grades, strategies involve identifying familiar words by sight and understanding the meaning of words based on clues in a sentence. In the upper grades, assignments include creative writing as well as journalistic research and documentation.
Our goal is to help each child achieve eloquence, reading independently and filled with eagerness for books and writing. Skills learned through language arts should be applied to daily life. With a passion and eagerness for reading comes love of the Word of God, The Bible. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12, NKJV).
MATHEMATICS
Mastery of mathematics concepts is essential for career preparation, as well as an appreciation of God’s world around us. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are developed as math concepts are learned, not merely memorized. Biblical principles are incorporated into the curriculum as our highly-trained teachers help nurture students who can function in a technologically-dominated society.
In addition to traditional instruction of basic math facts and theories, we also engage in the study of mathematical models. In striving to provide a solid base for students to become lifetime learners, they will be taught to recognize, organize, rank and associate mathematical relationships. Early on, from straightforward addition and subtraction, they learn to diagram, measure, tell time and understand a calendar. Our students concentrate on problem-solving, logic, assessment, whole number functions, data, probability, fractions and decimals. Geometric and algebraic equations are part of the 7th and 8th grade curriculum. Our students’ knowledge of mathematical concepts develops through successive years with recurring coverage.
MUSIC
“The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him” (Exodus 15:2, NKJV).
When God created the world, “the morning stars sang together and the angels shouted for joy” (Job 38:7). Music is a powerful way to communicate our love for God. Uplifting music takes us right to His presence, where we praise Him.
Students participate either in choir or band. Music instruction stresses technique, timing and patience. Students will learn to read music as they sing and play songs that not only teach the basics of music, but give glory to God. Music history is also included in the lessons. Students will learn to read music as they sing or play songs that not only teach the basics of music, but give glory to God. Songs are carefully selected to adhere to our Christian principles.
When offered, our students can participate in either band or choir. There is also the opportunity to participate in multiple musical performances during the year, including performing in our constituent Adventist churches.
Our extracurricular programs offer individual or group instrument or vocal lessons. Click here to learn more about these opportunities.
SCIENCE
Our “STREAMS” science program emphasizes a Creator God while students explore a world full of life wonderfully and perfectly made. Scientific philosophies and biblical understanding do not conflict. At the core of our STEM science program is the beautiful balance between science and faith, including natural sciences such as biology, chemistry, earth science and physics—which is why we add the “R” for religion, the “A” for arts, and the “S” for service to make STREAMS.
Lessons at each grade gradually grow more complex and introduce the Scientific Method. Students collect evidence, form hypotheses and make predictions based on their work. Each school year builds upon the last, increasing self-assurance in using scientific tools and equipment. Students love to learn about our Creator’s world!
Grade-appropriate experiments use hands-on techniques, and all lessons are supported by biblical principles. Each year there is also a “STREAMS” Science Fair.
SOCIAL STUDIES
In our social studies program, culture and history is explored at all grade levels. God’s Hand in human events, as well as our obligation to serve others, is discussed. Understanding our diverse societies and their relationship to ourselves is crucial in an increasingly global world. Students begin to grasp the diversity of communities, noting differences and similarities among people. At each grade level, we present the necessary information to assist in understanding human and environmental relations. Activities cultivate an obligation and desire to improve the human condition. This was Jesus’ command to us: “. . . that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:35, NKJV).
Students also develop special aptitudes for reading globes, maps, graphs, and diagrams. They learn techniques used by famous explorers and will also develop an appreciation for our democratic society as they study the Constitution and America’s political system. Students study the regions of America, learning history, geography, and natural resources.
Find out more! Get a personalize tour of our beautiful campus.
We’re happy to take a few minutes to sit down with you to discuss your child’s future. Let us show you how Grants Pass Adventist School can be the perfect environment for subject mastery and the discovery of individual talents and gifts! Call us now at (541) 479-2293.