Curriculum
Fundamental principles that guide our curriculum:
Founded on the belief that The Child is Primary, we are committed to preparing students for the future so that they may be successful in high school, college, and in life. The “future” that our students face will require them to do more than just prepare for the next test. They will be called on to address challenging and complex issues.
For more than 40 years TCPS has been committed to an education that emphasizes teaching the process of learning, of problem solving, and of critical thinking. Along with a challenging academic program, TCPS mindfully demonstrates to students how to develop the individual and interpersonal skills that will allow them to develop into leaders in the emerging global community.
Learning is an exciting and lifelong process.
Each person is unique and complex.
Ethnic, cultural and individual differences are respected and add to the richness of life.
Students are entitled to a learning environment which is engaging, safe, nurturing, non-prejudicial, and which challenges them to work to their full potential.
A Creative, Expansive & Challenging Program
Our small class sizes provide each student with the attention to individual needs necessary for maximizing individual growth and development in a challenging academic environment. Students learn to feel safe to take academic risks in an atmosphere that nurtures their self-esteem and teaches responsibility for their own actions.
Teaching does not stop with reading, writing, and arithmetic. We also provide Spanish, a dedicated science lab and science teacher, coding, art, music, and our own school library. Fine Arts are not an afterthought; artistic development and expression are encouraged and nurtured through art class, hands-on projects and our Arts Extravaganza Program, which brings artists to our school for performances and workshops.
Hover over the curriculum icons below for brief information on our curriculum focal points.
English and Language Arts phonics in Kindergarten leads to literature analysis, critical thinking and writing in Elementary and Middle School.
Conceptual understanding of math includes Bridges Math in Grades K - 5 and advanced Math curriculum in Middle School.
Science in every grade with Grades 2-8 in the Science Lab with hands-on learning and experiments.
Social Studies focuses on our community, state, country, and the world with research based instruction and hands-on learning.
Spanish in Grades K - 8 with the option for High School level Spanish in Middle School.
Arts included each day to allow creativity to flow on a daily basis with art techniques class in Grades K -5.
Music class includes learning and practice with voice and instruments along with music theory and history.
Technology introduced in a grade appropriate way with coding on tablets starting in Kindergarten developing through 8th grade.
Physical Education in Elementary and Middle School includes grade level training in sports, athletic conditioning, and physical fitness principles.
Research Techniques are incorporated in classes as young as Kindergarten, leading to multi-disciplinary projects in Middle School.
Classroom without Walls
This philosophy embodies our belief that academic learning takes place both in and out of the traditional setting. The classroom expands through technology, field trips, and collaboration with learners of different ages.
Teaching the Process of How to Learn
Our curriculum aims to teach students how to learn by first discovering how each student learns best, so they will develop a passion for lifelong learning that will continue throughout their years of formal schooling and beyond.
Breaking tasks down into meaningful smaller steps promotes understanding and engaged learning.
Classrooms are active laboratories for hands-on learning, research, experimentation and critical thinking.
Recognition of individual learning styles allows for differentiation and builds student confidence.
Providing a variety of opportunities to express and demonstrate learning leads to success.
Creating opportunities for self-assessment empowers students to become active, rather than passive learners.
Children learn how to be a student so they’re equipped with the tools they need to be successful in their current and future classrooms.
Nurturing a Spirit of Philanthropy
TCPS students develop a spirit of philanthropy through participation in community outreach projects designed to benefit our local and global communities.
We also incorporate cross-age learning so that students can work on stimulating and challenging projects with students of other ages.
Celebrating the Wonders of Life & the Excitement of Learning
Our program celebrates the wonders of life and the excitement of learning. We encourage in-depth learning that allows for an exploration of both the abstract (theoretical) and concrete (hands-on) aspects of a subject. In addition to the acquisition of excellent academic skills, TCPS promotes the learning of life skills such as communication and problem solving, and developing positive interpersonal relationships among the students and the staff.
