Our Academic Program

Clear Academic Focus

• We are unapologetically college preparatory.  From kindergarten through 8^th grade, students are expected to master academic skills and work habits essential for success in life.
• Students receive nightly homework, starting in kindergarten and continuing through eighth grade.

Focus on Literacy and Math

    All students receive at least 3 hours of literacy instruction every day.

• In the elementary school, students receive at least 3 ½ hours of literacy instruction daily.  We employ a balanced literacy model that teaches students explicit phonics rules and clear reading strategies, models effective writing, expects students to master grammar and spelling conventions, develops oral fluency, pushes students to analyze literature, and provides daily extended opportunities for students to practice reading and writing skills.

• In the middle school, each day begins with 30 minutes of silent reading.  Students also experience both a 100-minute reading class and a 50-minute writing class each day. 
• A full-time Reading Specialist works with individuals and small groups of students who need assistance in developing phonemic awareness and improving fluency.

    All students receive extended daily math instruction.

• Elementary students have two math periods a day: a 15-minute calendar math session and a 60-minute math lesson.  Our elementary math curriculum is developed especially for our school by our Math Specialist.
• Middle school students receive a 100-minute math period each day.

Increased Instructional Time

• Our longer school day (from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and our longer school year of at least 190 days provide students with more time to reach out high academic and personal standards.
• We also provide additional homework help sessions for selected students.  Students in this program are dismissed at 5 p.m.

Small Class Sizes

• Primary classes (grades K – 2) average 15 students.
• Middle school classes (grades 5 – 8) average 20 students.  Middle school tutoring groups are limited to 4 students.

Extensive Academic Support

• Teachers provide individualized instruction and daily tutoring support for students who need additional help in mastering academic content.
• We also provide a July session for our students who we think would benefit from additional, targeted instruction over the summer.

Positive School Culture

• Focus, integrity, respect, self-determination, and teamwork are principles that we strive to teach our students.  By modeling positive values, we foster a community that rewards qualities associated with strong character and enables students to make smart choices.
• Students are frequently publicly praised for showing our core values.

Safe and Structured Learning Environment

• Our learning environment includes a strict disciplinary code that outlines unacceptable behavior and provides specific consequences for each action. 
• Our uniform policy helps students focus on learning, not attire, and helps unify the school community.   Students are required to be in uniform in order to attend class. 

Focus on School and Family Partnership

• We expect a great deal of ourselves as a school staff, our students as Brooke scholars, and our families.  These expectations are outlined in our  Contract of Mutual Responsibilities.