CURRICULUM

DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION

Grants Pass Adventist Christian 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.

BIBLE

Our Bible curriculum is geared to foster each child’s faith and strengthen their bond with God. 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 appraise who they are, as well as how their morality, actions and decisions impact one another. Most importantly, they grow in their walk with Jesus.

Bible classes concentrate on personal interaction with our Creator and nurturing our Fruits of the Spirit (“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” -Galatians 5:22-23, NKJV).

Worship is held at the beginning of each school day. Each Friday morning is “Testimony Time,” where students can present and listen to powerful stories of how God is changing lives. Once a week, we wear nicer clothes and participate in Chapel to fortify Biblical lessons and spend time with our Creator. 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. Lessons cover the basics, such as controlling the mouse, navigating the computer and basic Internet use.

With technology, 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 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. 7th and 8th graders are also assigned kindergarten “reading buddies” and make weekly visits to read stories.

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.

Our students have opportunity to participate in multiple musical performances. Our constituent churches regularly give students an occasion to participate, especially during the Christmas program each December, and Easter’s Spring Musical. Students also give a short performance at the Rogue Valley Mall before Christmas break and regularly travel to local nursing homes to sing. A Spring Musical is performed around Easter time.

Our extracurricular programs offer individual or group instrument or vocal lessons. Click HERE to learn more about these opportunities.

SCIENCE

Our science program emphasizes a Creator God, a world full of life wonderfuly and perfectly made. Scientific philosophies and Biblical understanding do not conflict. At the core of our science program is the beautiful balance between science and faith, including natural sciences such as biology, chemistry, earth science and physics. 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. Kindergarten students, for example, grow their own plants and watch live caterpillars turn into butterflies. Other grades study life cycles, structures, and behaviors of insects and animals at varying levels of complexity. Students will become aware of scientific laws, studying balance and motion and other properties of physics. Other lessons involve studying the systems of our human bodies, the properties of water, and components of rocks and minerals. All lessons are supported by Biblical principles.

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.