SciCore Academy for Science and the Humanities

Educational Philosophy - To promote the intellectual growth of students through an academically challenging curriculum in the sciences and the humanities, and to encourage a positive attitude toward learning that will last a lifetime.

We subscribe to the idea that in today's competitive world, students should strive for and attain the highest levels of academic achievement of which they are capable. At SciCore Academy, we pay special attention to three key aspects of a student's education: their knowledge base , their ability to interpret and reason analytically, and their written and verbal communication skills.

SciCore's core curriculum content standards ensure that students are well educated in a traditional sense, i.e., to have a firm grasp of the background knowledge (core knowledge) needed to function in society, communicate intelligently, and be fully prepared for the next level of education. At SciCore, we give highest priority to the knowledge areas of science, mathematics, history and culture. In our highly technological society, a solid foundation in science is important irrespective of a person's career choice. And, science, well taught and properly experienced, is a joyful endeavor, stimulating young people's curiosity and creative gifts. Students should also acquire in-depth knowledge of the most important achievements of both modern and ancient civilizations. We strive to produce genuinely "well-educated" students by exposing them to the best that the great minds (past and present) have discovered or produced.

At SciCore students are also provided much opportunity to develop their abilities to reason analytically and to creatively solve problems. Students are taught how to extract information, analyze it, and chart a path for solving a problem or creating something new. Opportunities to develop this analytical mindset arise throughout the school day, e.g., applying the scientific method during laboratory, special courses such as Logic and Debate, design challenges in the Industrial Design program, science fair and science olympiad project development, close reading and interpreting of complex literature, creative math challenges, computer programming, and translation exercise in non-English languages, to name a few.

The ability to communicate intelligently, accurately and with ease is extraordinarily important for success in the modern age. To help students achieve excellence in communication, SciCore Academy takes an integrated approach toward teaching communication arts. In nearly all courses, students are given assignments which exercise their writing and speaking skills. In English classes, students learn fundamentals of grammar, syntax, diagramming, usage, style, vocabulary, and writing different types of compositions. Foreign language courses (including courses on Greek and Latin Roots and Vocabulary) provide a firm foundation in word-recognition, grammar, and sentence structure, and provide contrast and comparison to the structure of English. Public Speaking courses in both the Middle and High School provide an opportunity for all students to develop confidence and competence in diction, speaking in front of a group, debate, speech-writing, and extemporaneous speech.

How SciCore Academy Achieves a Strong Academic Program and a Supportive Values Environment.

SciCore Academy was established to provide superior academics within a supportive values environment. School resources are concentrated on academic subjects presented within a content-based curriculum. Individual student growth is promoted through individual attention and small group learning experiences. Judicious choice of subject matter and texts within a core curriculum insures that students receive a well-rounded education. Students are continually encouraged to offer their best effort in serious academic study, and to avoid pursuits which detract from personal intellectual growth. Our teachers are trained to spend a substantial part of their class period working one-on-one with students, helping them write, solve problems, and tackle assignments.

An important aspect of the school philosophy is its values environment. All organizations have a values environment, whether explicit or implicit. In defining the values environment for SciCore, the founders are particularly cognizant of the Western Judeo-Christian ethical traditions, and the principles of freedom and democracy as embodied in the American Experiment. The academy encourages students to be achievement-oriented, honest, well-mannered, cheerful, helpful, and willing to participate in activities which benefit the school and the wider community. The school does not promote specific denominational religious understandings or political leanings. Teachers are proscribed from attempting to indoctrinate students with their own personal political or religious viewpoints, especially as they relate to current events and "hot-button" social issues. In recognition of the value and importance of our American governmental and social institutions, there is a daily Pledge of Allegiance. In recognition of the importance of religious and spiritual practices of many families, there is a 20 second Moment of Silence each day after the Pledge.