Academics
At Emerald Heights Academy, we use split classrooms, where students remain in the same homeroom for two grade levels: PK–K, 1–2, 3–4, 5–6, and 7–8. This structure gives students meaningful opportunities both to mentor and to be mentored, while allowing teachers to develop a deeper understanding of each child’s strengths and challenges and to support them more effectively, both academically and emotionally.
Our classical liberal arts education, rooted in the Catholic tradition, further nurtures the character, mind, and heart of every student.
Focusing on
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Intellectual, Spiritual, Character, and Apostolic formation
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Virtues and values in the Catholic tradition
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Nurturing environment with small class sizes
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Individualized learning to match every child’s needs
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Comprehensive, challenging curriculum
Religion: I Am Special: Bible history, sacraments, traditional prayers, lives of the saints, seasons of the liturgical calendar such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week and Easter, Jesus as our friend, each child’s special talents, and gifts come from God
Phonics, Reading and Writing: Fountas & Pinnell, Scott Foresman
Speaking & Listening: Name and letter recognition, rhyming, writing letters, enjoying literature, building on letter knowledge, sounds, words, reading readiness skills, dictation, journals, listening, and following directions
Mathematics: Saxon Math Program. Introduction to mathematical language and symbols; to solve simple problems with teacher assistance; to understand counting, comparing and simple addition and subtraction; and to recognize and copy simple patterns
Monthly themes incorporate the academic areas of science and history: I Am Special, The Five Senses, Fall, Farm Life, Early Explorers, Pilgrims, Native Americans, Thanksgiving, Advent and the Birth of Jesus, Winter, Hibernation and Migration, Polar Regions, Human Body and Health, Dinosaurs, Spring, Plants, Water Cycle, Animal Habitats, Solar System, Magnets, Summer
Special Activities: Grandparents and Special Friends Day, Science Fair, Poetry Appreciation Day, Presidential Physical Fitness Challenge, All Saints Day Celebration, Christmas Program, Cultural Fair
What Students Like about EHA
PreK-8 & Homeschool Enrichment Programs (HEP)
Homeschool families are an important part of our school community. Our school is open to enrichment activities for K-8 every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. Homeschool students may join us for lunch at 11:30 AM followed by recess prior to starting classes at 12:30 PM.
The enrichment activities include art, drama, literature and poetry, physical education,
and Spanish with our specialist instructors.
K-2nd Grade Program components include: spatial awareness, gross motor skills, various team sports and emphasis on good sportsmanship through all activities
3rd-8th Grade Program components include: fitness training and testing, fundamentals, rules and skills developed to successfully engage in various team sports such as basketball, soccer, baseball with an emphasis on good sportsmanship through all activities. P.E./Special Events uniform required.
Physical Education
K-2nd Grade Program components include: spatial awareness, gross motor skills, various team sports and emphasis on good sportsmanship through all activities
3rd-8th Grade Program components include: fitness training and testing, fundamentals, rules and skills developed to successfully engage in various team sports such as basketball, soccer, baseball with an emphasis on good sportsmanship through all activities. P.E./Special Events uniform required.
Spanish Language
K-2nd grade students learn Spanish through songs, games, literature and cultural awareness activities (a natural acquisition approach). Program components include: listening, speaking, and vocabulary development.
3rd-4th grade students build on prior knowledge and are introduced to the song based Spanish learning program; Rockalingua. Students learn new Spanish vocabulary through song and language learning is then expanded to reading and writing
5th-8th grade Spanish is based on the Avancemos program which consists of textbooks, workbooks, listening and video programs. Students develop the four basic language skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Students are introduced to various Spanish speaking countries-learning about culture as well language. Course completion goal by 8th grade graduation: High school Spanish I equivalency
Art
K-2nd grade art program components include: creativity in variety of media, fine motor control and art appreciation.
3rd-8th grade art program components include: drawing, painting, mixed media, project based and artist based thematic units plus art history.
Music
K-2nd grade begin to learn how to properly produce a vocal sound, developing an understanding of the basics of the anatomy which helps one sing, study pitch, beat, rhythm, Gregorian chant and solfege ("do, re mi's"). Students will learn how to count and clap out rhythms in metered time.
3rd-8th grade continue using Gregorian chant and solfege (do, re, me) and learn about Gregorian notation and how to interpret Gregorian chant, learn modern notation and continue to count and clap out more complex rhythms in metered time, work on rhythmic pieces which will include Marian tunes, Gregorian chant, and a few fun, more modern pieces that still have religious overtones.
Poetry/Literature
K-2nd grade program: foster a love of poetry, poetry selection includes works by Robert Louis Stevenson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Robert Frost, and many others. Resources include: The Harp and Laurel Wreath by Laura M. Berquist
3rd-4th grade program: foster a love of poetry and literature by introducing poems and stories that concern noble actions or ideas, poetry selection includes works by Robert Louis Stevenson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Robert Frost, and many others. Resources include: The Harp and Laurel Wreath by Laura M. Berquist
5th-8th grade program overview: foster a love of the beautiful and classical poetry, introduce poems that concern noble actions or ideas, selection includes poems by Robert Louis Stevenson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Robert Browning, William Shakespeare, G.K. Chesterton, William Butler Yeats, Robert Frost, and many others. Resources include: The Harp and Laurel Wreath by Laura M. Berquist
Drama
K-2nd grade program focuses on introducing young students to the exciting world of drama through playful activities and imaginative exploration. The goal is to encourage creative thinking and build a foundation for performance skills in a fun, supportive environment. Students are introduced to the mechanics of proper breathing and vocal technique.
3rd-8th grade program builds on foundational skills and introduces more complex concepts of acting, script interpretation, and character development. This segment emphasizes critical thinking and personal expression, preparing students for more advanced performance opportunities. Students explore character motivations, relationships, and background to build dynamic on-stage characters. Students learn improvisation skills, scene study, and authentic emotional expression.
