AJA guides our students along their educational journey by making sure that each child is prepared for the next stage in learning. Our multi-grade classrooms allow flexibility in making sure that each child experiences a continued perfect placement. Our beginning elementary program is perfect for children who have successfully developed a positive attitude toward learning and are ready to focus on becoming strong learners who master the building blocks of reading, writing, and math while fostering a positive growth mindset.
In these beginning years, school becomes more structured and students have increased ownership in the learning experience and their growth. Social studies and science are taught through hands-on activities. Drama, art, and music are integrated thematically across the curriculum. Students participate in process writing and read a variety of literature. Students transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” in these middle grades. Math skills are developed through practical applications, cooperative learning, manipulatives, and games.
Because it is our mission to provide an excellent school program in which children are able “To increase in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man;” we have chosen to use only high-quality curriculae that meet or exceed the NAD Education Standards and state standards.
The school day runs from 8:00-3:15 Monday-Thursday, and until 12:15 on Friday.
Here is a typical schedule:
8:00 Morning Welcome & Worship
Reading & Language Arts Instruction
Physical Education
Math Instruction
12:00 Lunch time and recess
Read-aloud & Writing Instruction
Science & Social Studies Instruction
Specials (French Class, Music Class, Art Class)
Bible Instruction
3:15 Dismissal
Field trips provide experiential learning that is not ordinarily available in the classroom. Field trips are integrated into the curriculae to support learning objectives. Several field trips include: attending the children's theater, walking the Alaska Zoo, visiting the Great Harvest Bakery, and exploring at the area nature/science centers!
Our beginning elementary grades' outdoor education takes the form of day trips out into God's nature where students examine different habitats and how people can affect the environment.
Our students enjoy a structured music class twice a week with our music teachers. They learn about different types of music and instruments. Our students have explored instruments like the piano, guitars, recorders, ukuleles, and more. In music class, they often sing and learn about musical notation and musicians. Our students prepare performance pieces to showcase at school programs, community events, and local constituent church visits.