ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Berean Christian Junior Academy students are engaged in every kind of subject matter as well as current events and emerging contemporary issues. Our approach to academic excellence embraces the concept of teaching not just “what” but “why.” We strive to be an exemplary model of Christian education in our curriculum and approach.
Our faculty, using the Adventist Edge curriculum, fosters opportunities for students to discover, collaborate, explore, and experiment at every grade level from 1st to 8th grade. We employ techniques such as design thinking so that students learn critical thinking while broadening their abilities and competencies. Our STEM programs allow students to broaden their horizons and explore science and technology through hands-on, real-world application.
Standards for Student Learning
Reading
Using data to drive instruction, our Reading Workshop revolves around selected reading in areas of interest to the students. The teacher works with the students individually or in small groups, checking comprehension strategies, fluency and general reading skills. Shared and paired reading along with conferencing is also a part of reading workshop. A variety of classroom and library books at students’ reading levels is important to this program.
Writing
Using data to drive instruction, our Writing Workshop gives the students a planned time to creatively express themselves through the writing process. Mini-lessons are conducted on various topics as needed with small groups or the whole class. Teacher-student and student-student conferences help the writing progress to a finished product.
Mathematics
Because Adventist teaching environments vary, some classrooms have one grade, and others with multiple grade configurations, it is difficult to prescribe practices that will suit each and every classroom. Our math instruction is based on the Constructivist philosophy of learning, and is developed to help our students meet and exceed the standards in a variety of contextual situations.
Science
The universe and all creation was created by Design. Our science instruction is built on a foundation of inquiry that encourages wonderment, questioning, exploration of multiple resources to conduct research and investigations (i.e., textbooks, informational books, articles, websites, pictures, observations, hands-on activities, etc.), and collaboration. In general, “inquiry is a way of looking at the world, a questioning stance we take when we seek to learn something we don’t yet know. And when we are truly inquiring about that something, whatever it may be, we drive ourselves to learn more and more because we are seeking answers to our own questions” (Parker, 2007, p. 1).
Social Studies/History
Social Studies and history are each intrinsic parts of Adventist education, and serves to amplify and enrich the curriculum through presenting an awareness of God’s hand in the affairs of men and of man’s obligation to serve others.
Physical Education
Adventist education takes a wholistic approach to the intergration of mind, body, and soul. The SPARK PE Program reports that the data are clear—healthy students are better learners. Over the years, scientific studies have shown a correlation between high standardized test scores and physical fitness scores, and that more time spent in physical education class did not result in a decrease in academic performance.