Curriculum & Grading Policy

The Passport to Social Studies curriculum used by NYC schools is a comprehensive instructional resource that integrates the Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and the New York State K-8 Social Studies Framework to support strong social studies teaching and learning. Throughout the grades, students learn about their place in the world, from the communities around us to the history of NYC and the state of New York. This program challenges students to think like historians and encourages them to raise questions, think critically, consider many perspectives, and gather evidence to support ideas through the practice of chronological processing, decision-making, and historical research and analysis. These real-world skills will serve students well as participating citizens of a democracy.

Our school has decided to help the DOE pioneer their new Computer Science for All (CS4All) initiative by incorporating the Software Engineering Program Junior (SEPjr) curriculum. In each grade, students explore how technology supports and controls the world around them, write programs using the Blockly language, code robots to explore physical space, use Scratch and Scratch Jr. to create videos and games, and use learn how machines work through physical computing.

The art team has worked hard to bring the world of artistic expression to the students. The multicultural and community-focused approach allows for students not just to create art, but to study artists and styles that they can relate to and connect with. Units include focuses on artist studies, communities and the world around us, urban and pop art, and literature-based illustration. Throughout the grades, students practice fine motor skills, as well as principles of art, such as lines, shapes, contour, etc.

As an added bonus, student work is organized and spread throughout the building, converting the school into a massive art museum.

The physical education team's goal is to promote a love for fitness and living a healthy lifestyle. Students engage in physical activities as well as learning how nutrition and fitness affect and help their growing bodies. Students are able to learn teamwork, respect, and good sportsmanship through sports, including soccer, lacrosse, basketball, and more. Additionally, the team modifies activities and finds engaging fitness routines to meet the needs of the individual students, particularly our special needs population. At the end of the year, the physical education team also runs our highly popular Field Days in which classes engage in a series of competitions, much like the Olympics, as a showcase of sportsmanship.