I would encourage our parent body and those connected to our school to continue to educate themselves on what makes the Academy an academically-rigorous environment. With that in mind, I plan to periodically highlight some of the resouces we've invested in that have significantly impacted student outcomes.

During the school day, across the grades as well as the subject areas, students are processing information using Thinking Maps. This is a curricular tool developed out of brain-based research that systematically fosters the development of critical thinking skills in our students. Faculty members teach and integrate eight graphic organizers, which stay consistent throughout the grade levels and subject areas. Students are epowered, through these maps, to shape their understanding, and consequently, their writing, in regards to various subject matter. Each map is used for a specific thought process (e.g. the flow map is always used to sequence information).

Since implementing this curricular tool, we have seen an increase in the writing levels of our entire student body. We implemented this program in order to empower students to write effectively, and in order to produce students who think critically about their Christian faith. This works hand in hand with our commitment to integrating Biblical Truth into everything we do at the Academy.

To learn more about this program, please click on the following link: Thinking Maps.