Our Curriculum

Classical education is rooted in the best of time-honored educational practices. The traditional liberal arts are Grammar, Logic, Rhetoric, Arithmetic, Geometry, Astronomy, and Music; the study of these prepared students for the study of Philosophy. Today, a classical curriculum is based on the first three liberal arts, which together are called the Trivium. Students are taught the grammar, or basic knowledge, in each subject. Young students readily learn rhymes, stories, language, vocabulary, arithmetic, and facts. As knowledge grows, students want to know not just “what” but “why.” They learn logic and critical thinking skills through reading ideas and arguments of others, by contemplating knowledge, truth, and ideas, and by discussing and practicing. Mature students learn rhetoric to express their ideas eloquently and persuade others. Throughout their study of the Trivium, students are trained in virtues and core values, such as citizenship, cooperation, courage, honesty, integrity, perseverance, respect, and responsibility.

Classes at ALA Coastal will be taught using a variety of methods, including direct instruction, Socratic questioning, class discussion, seminars, read-aloud, projects, hands-on learning, and writing assignments. Students will work individually and in small groups. Information throughout grade levels is presented in an integrated fashion, emphasizing the connections between areas of knowledge and reinforcing what students are learning.

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Beyond providing wide background knowledge that can help with reading comprehension, studying the arts gives further benefits. A new National Endowment for the Arts Research Report shows the potential benefits of Arts Education for at-risk youth. Those who study the arts have better academic outcomes, higher career goals, and are more civically engaged. Studying the arts can also enhance creativity, creative thinking, and problem-solving. Learning about the arts and cultures around the world, past, and present, provides a better cross-cultural understanding and a greater comprehension of what it is to be human.

At ALA Coastal, arts education is integrated into the Core Knowledge Sequence.  Art will be an encore class that is offered to all students in grade K–5 and as an elective for Middle School.

It is generally acknowledged that physical activity helps keep students fit and healthy, but numerous studies have shown that there are also academic benefits to physical activity. According to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, physical activity can:

• Improve blood flow and oxygen to the brain, improving mental clarity.
• Positively affect the portion of the brain responsible for learning and memory.
• Improve connections between nerves in the brain, thus improving attention and information-processing skills.
• Build strong bones and muscles.
• Decrease the likelihood of developing obesity and risk factors for type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
• Reduce anxiety and depression.

 
ALA Coastal is committed to providing each student the opportunity for a minimum of a half-hour of physical activity a day while at school.

Responsive Classroom

A responsive classroom is an evidence-based approach to education that focuses on the strong relationship between academic success and social-emotional learning (SEL). The Responsive Classroom approach empowers educators to create safe, joyful, and engaging learning communities where all students have a sense of belonging and feel significant.

ALA Coastal is committed to developing strong relationships with our students that we dedicated a minimum of a half-hour a day of our schedule while at school.