Our Curriculum and Assessment

North Central Academy aligns its instruction with the Common Core State Standards (“CCSS”). We are able to fulfill our educational goals by following the CCSS and using classroom, district, and state data to drive instruction.

North Central Academy ensures that students develop not only a wide base of skills, but also an appreciation for fine arts, language arts, science, and mathematics. Teachers are trained on the essential components of the program and how to organize and structure their classrooms to be effective while differentiating instruction to meet the individual needs of each student.  An inquiry-based model of learning is used in social studies and science where students explore concepts, think critically, and demonstrate creativity through projects, research reports, presentations, experiments, service learning, and more.

Curriculum Overview

English/Language Arts: 

• Includes reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
• Aligned to Common Core State Standards.
• Bookworms ELA curriculum that includes integrated reading and writing units based on research and best practices.
• Computer aided programs, such as MobyMax and SuperKids, are used to supplement reading skills and enhance comprehension.
• Leveled books from Learning A-Z are used to enhance small group differentiated reading instruction to fill learning gaps.

Mathematics: 

• Includes computation, number sense, problem solving, statistics, algebra, geometry, and measurement.
• Aligned to the Common Core State Standards.
• Everyday Math 4 curriculum is used in a way that balances conceptual understanding, visual learning, and problem solving through hands-on and real world experiences.
• Computer aided programs, such as MobyMax and Khan Academy, are used to supplement reading skills and enhance math proficiency.
• Basic math facts are reinforced through daily practice.

Science: 

• Includes Earth/Space, Life, Physics, Engineering, Chemistry, and Application of Science. 
• Project-based, inquiry learning is emphasized.
• Aligned to Next Generation Science Standards that is based on engaging in scientific investigation. 
• K-6 uses Mystery Science to explore concepts, enhance their knowledge, and demonstrate their learning.

Social Studies:

• Includes Geography, History, Civics, Economics, and Government.
• Aligned to Michigan State Standards.
• Studies balance disciplinary content and processes and skills that contribute to responsible citizens.
• Effective social studies instruction and assessment incorporate methods of inquiry, involve public discourse and decision making, and provide opportunities for citizen involvement.

Character Education: 

• Includes the skills necessary to be successful and happy, both in the classroom and in life beyond the school environment.
• Students practice and learn tools to use for building Respect, Responsibility, Kindness, Getting Along, Optimism, Work Ethic, Honesty, and Citizenship.

Technology: 

• Students have the opportunity to use Chromebooks to learn word processing skills, database management, spreadsheet development, and internet safety. 

Fine Arts: 

• Students in all grades have access to fine arts opportunities in the form of music, theater, and visual art.

Northwest Ed Career Tech Center:

• All 11th and 12th graders that attend North Central Academy are required to attend the Northwest Ed Career Tech Center.

Assessment Overview

One of the most important elements of ensuring student success is to use assessments that can drive instruction.  At North Central Academy, we use ongoing progress monitoring as well as classroom, district, and state assessments to help measure student progress. 

Here are the ways we measure student learning at North Central Academy:

Teacher Developed Tests:

• All teachers routinely give assessments to their students on various lessons and units that they are teaching.
• These assessments are graded and make up the report card grade that parents receive.

Reading Tests:

• All elementary students (K-6) are tested with MLPP and Easy CBM.  The testing cycle is the beginning, middle, and end of the academic school year.
  • Initial Assessments:
    • Alphabet Recognition and Sounds
    • Phonemic awareness
    • Concepts of Print
    • Fry Words
    • NWEA
  • Progress Monitoring: EasyCBM
    • Fluency of letters
    • Fluency of words
    • Fluency of passages
• Results from testing are available to parents on the report cards quarterly.
• We use research based assessments to have a baseline in order to drive the instruction to meet our students' needs.

Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA):

• Students in grades K-11 take the computerized MAP test 3 times a year, and we are able to measure academic growth in reading and math.
• We are also able to show progress school-wide using this test.
• It is a very effective test for schools to use not only because of the national standards, but because the results are available right away which allow teachers to adjust instruction to help fill learning gaps.

M-STEP Tests

• This is the state-required test for students in grades 3-8, and 11, in various subject areas.

PSAT and SAT

• Students in grades 8-11 are required to take the national standardized testing.

Cooperative and Individual Projects

• Students are assigned projects in various subjects that are assessed by teachers.
• These are designed for students to demonstrate learning within our curriculum.