Curriculum - Herron Preparatory Academy

Our curriculum relies on Socratic dialogue - rhetorical conversations involving respectful questioning and critical thinking - and the classical model of education called the Trivium as its academic corner stone. The three phases of the Trivium include:

Grammar – (Grades K-5) In this phase students acquire fundamental knowledge in all disciplines.
Logic– (Grades 6-8) As students become world-class citizens, they learn how to reason and debate. Students apply their knowledge as they discern and evaluate, compare and contrast, and discover cause and effect relationships in any given subject.
Rhetoric – (Grades 9-12) As students progress through the Trivium, they learn to apply the rules of logic to the information they have acquired. Students learn to think rationally and articulate ideas effectively.

At Herron Preparatory Academy, which currently serves Kindergarten through 5th grade scholars, we are largely focused on the Grammar stage.

Scholars acquire fundamental knowledge in all disciplines.

Literacy: Letters/sounds, words, sentences, composition, meaning
Math: Conceptual understanding of units, basic fluency
Arts: Elements of visual or performing media
Sciences/Social Studies: Facts, dates, processes, relationships

Herron Preparatory Academy Curriculum Overview (PDF)

Literacy

Guiding Principles of Literacy Instruction

Good teachers matter. Learners need teachers who demonstrate what it means to live richly literate lives, modeling a love of reading and writing to their students.
Readers need long stretches of time to read, and writers need extended opportunities to write.
Reading and writing need to be taught like other basic skills, with direct, explicit instruction— including spelling, conventions, and the skills and strategies of proficient reading and writing.
Researchers have studied examples of exemplary literacy instruction. In every case, when they found a classroom with high literacy engagement, they found balanced teaching in place.

Math

Guiding Principles of Math Instruction

Students deserve math instruction that makes math relatable and enjoyable in order to build their confidence as mathematicians.
Students benefit from a strategic progression of math skills that build on concepts step by step, relates them to one another, builds conceptual understanding, and spirals back to develop a solid understanding of math skills.
Quality math instruction includes a conceptual and procedural understanding of concepts for students.

Arts

Guiding Principles of Arts Instruction

Visual Arts and Performing Arts

Scholars are introduced to design elements, explore different media (Drawing, Paint, 3D Art), learn essentials in movement, motion, and dance techniques (Dance class and Yoga), are introduced to musical and vocal theory and practice performing as a group (Music, Choir, and Showcase performances), and are exposed to collaborative and individual sports in Physical Education.

Sciences

Guiding Principles of Science Instruction

Fundamental Knowledge	Grammar Stage
Facts/Dates	PhD Science ● Analysis of authentic texts & media
Processes	PhD Science “Phenomenon-based” approach Hands-on investigations
Relationships	PhD Science ● Discourse & interactive instructional routines Related Studies – STEM ● Intro to properties of physics

In compliance with Indiana Senate Bill 442, Herron Preparatory Academy partners with LifeSmart Youth to provide medically accurate and age-appropriate lessons on sexual health education. Parents and guardians are provided full transparency regarding this instruction. All curriculum descriptions, surveys, and required videos are available for review via the link below. Parents and guardians may also access opt-out forms and information about their rights to review instructional materials before student participation.

Click here to learn more: https://curriculum.lifesmartyouth.org/