First Family Academy Curriculum

First Family Academy offers a full-day Kindergarten program, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade. Off to a great start, our students have gone home, excited to share with their families what they have learned. Just recently, the Pre-K class was walking through the foyer reciting Proverbs 22:6. What was exciting was listening to them recite the very same scripture in Latin!!!

The academy has also embraced a classical approach to education, as it teaches Latin instruction and places an emphasis on the arts. New this year, students will have the opportunity to take piano lessons both privately and within a lab setting. As art and music are taught, students will learn about music theory, art/music history, and the composers/artists of each genre.

While the academy has chosen the A Beka curriculum, differentiated instruction is taught within the classroom. First Family Academy teachers are committed to teaching concepts in a variety of ways so that all students learn. The classrooms are also designed to promote learning at every level. Furthermore, the school features a computer lab and fully equipped gym.

A strong Biblical emphasis forms the basis of First Family Academy’s curriculum.  Our classes will start and end their day with prayer and an opportunity to share their concerns. Lessons from the Bible will include the Creation, Daniel, Noah, and the Boyhood of Jesus.  Christian music and hymns will be enjoyed.  Additionally, there will be scripture memorization.  

The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Membership

First Family Academy is a member of ACSI that focuses on enriching the lives of our students by teaching the truth and modeling the heart and mind of Christ.  This accreditation is designed to equip our Academy with the tools needed to help our students achieve their full potential in Christ.   Our students will now be able to participate in state and national spelling bees, science fairs, and so much more.

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Character Trait Development

Every month, a different character trait will be used (such as kindness, or patience) to help our students learn how to implement Christ-like values in their individual lives.   Activities and fun projects will accentuate each trait.  Other components to this training will be an explanation of each trait through appropriate literature; and teaching what the trait looks like through role playing and practicing the trait.  Finally, by looking for opportunities to see traits exhibited by the children, the teacher will be able to reinforce positive behaviors.

Music Curriculum

Beginning this fall, First Family Academy, in cooperation with Kansas City School of Music, will launch a music education program whose quality and comprehensive curriculum will be unsurpassed by any other elementary school in America.  The goal for our music department is to have teachers, curriculum, instruments, equipment, materials, facilities, and philosophy which are not just average, not just good, and not even just excellent – but the best anywhere in the world.  We want to be the Juilliard of elementary schools – the crème de la crème of music education.
To begin this pursuit of musical excellence, we will provide the following to every student for the 2008-2009 school year:

1. Small group piano/music theory instruction two times per week
2. Small group violin instruction two times per week
3. Small and large group voice/choir instruction two times per week
4. Musikgarten classes for Pre-K (integrated with voice instruction)
5. High quality instruments provided by First Family Academy/Kansas City School of Music (in-school use only)

Comparison of First Family Academy’s music program to other elementary schools:

Art Curriculum

When students study art, instruction must go beyond construction paper and crayons.  At First Family Academy, our Art Curriculum meets the National Standards of Education in a fun and innovative way.  Our teachers teach art in periods of time.  For instance, during the Renaissance period students will explore the culture and history of the times, the artists associated with that period and their masterpieces, and has an opportunity to learn the techniques.  Not only will students learn to express themselves through art, but the will gain a true appreciation for the arts!

Elementary School Printable Documents:

Elementary Parent Handbook (click here to download)

Program Description (click here to download)

Why We Study Latin:

First Family Academy is committed to offering its students a classical education. To this end, Latin forms the basis not only for the grammar stage of learning, but is a distinguishing trademark of a classical school. The ultimate goal of a classical education is to train its students how to think, reason, and even interpret what they read or hear.

One benefit to studying Latin is the development of a student's English vocabulary. By learning the roots and prefixes of words, SAT scores have increased along with math scores, thereby increasing a student's problem-solving skills. Furthermore, the study of Latin, which is the basis for a number of our modern-day languages, increases the ability to learn and become fluent in these languages. Latin is the foundation of the Romance Languages; French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Romanian.

Importantly, nearly fifty percent of our English words come either directly or indirectly from Latin. Many professions have their foundations in Latin. Fields such as medicine, music, theology, philosophy, law, and science have their basis in Latin. Even our English literature is replete with Latin expressions and quotations.

Latin coupled with the critical thinking skills, and Biblical studies taught at First Family Academy will truly equip our students to thing, reason, and interpret the truth.