Academics

ELA instruction is delivered through extended blocks that allow for focused reading, writing, and language development. Students build fluency and comprehension through rich texts and writing experiences that develop both academic and expressive skills.

Math is taught through extended, hands-on instruction that emphasizes critical thinking, number sense, and problem-solving. Students engage in lessons that connect to real-world scenarios while building strong foundational skills.

Science instruction encourages students to observe, investigate, and ask questions. Students explore physical, Earth, and life sciences through inquiry and experimentation.

Students study geography, civics, history, and cultures to understand the world around them and their role in it. Lessons promote critical thinking, empathy, and global awareness.

PE is an essential part of the day and is designed to promote movement, sportsmanship, and lifelong wellness. The Survey of Sports program introduces students to a new sport every two weeks, encouraging exploration, teamwork, and a wide range of athletic skills.

Dance provides students with a fun and active outlet to build rhythm, coordination, and self-expression. Through movement-based activities and routines, students also develop confidence, discipline, and physical fitness.

Students participate in a variety of learning activities each day that individualize instruction for each subject area. Students receive whole class instruction, small group instruction, and individual instruction with teachers, technology and other curricular tools. 

Our teachers meet the requirements set forth by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): Bachelor’s degree, grade-level teaching license/certificate & ability to demonstrate subject area expertise. Our teachers are supported by trainers and participate in continuous, research-based professional development. Our teachers are accountable for student learning and rewarded for high quality performance.

Our students receive double the instruction in ELA and Math to provide a strong foundation for all learning. Beginning with full-day Kindergarten, our school also follows a longer school day and school year than many other schools. 

Student knowledge of academic standards is assessed formally and informally in short cycles by each teacher. Our teachers adjust class-level and individual instruction based on student performance data in these frequent intervals. 

The Blitz™ is an award-winning academic program created by Dr. Chad Carr. It was first implemented at Columbus Preparatory Academy (CPA), a public charter school that was failing academically by the 2006-07 school year. The Blitz™ took CPA from closure status to the #1 ranked public school in the state of Ohio within three years, a position it held while implementing The Blitz™ from 2010-2017. The Blitz™ competition takes place each spring during the eight weeks leading up to the Ohio State Test (OST). Students play Blitz™ review games and become familiar with the vocabulary and structure of state assessments. During fun and friendly competition, students participate in a series of academic pep rallies where they:

1. Gain confidence in their ability to perform well on the test
2. Showcase their creative talents during school-wide games
3. Encourage one another to put forth their best effort academically & behaviorally
4. Receive rewards for excellence, including a series of field trips based on their end-of-year Blitz™ rankings