Curriculum & Schedule

Curriculum/Program Offerings Grades 4-6:

Following task force recommendations and State requirements for meeting PA Academic Standards, students in grades 4-6 will receive instruction in four core subject areas: Language Arts/reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. The complementing related arts courses will include physical education, art, music, Design 21 and STEM (a modern day application of industrial/technical education using principles of science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Schedule:

The Intermediate School day is scheduled so that core instruction is divided into approximately three ninety minute blocks of time (90 minutes Language Arts/reading, 90 minutes of mathematics, and 90 minutes for social studies/science). The social studies/science block have been scheduled as a single block to allow instructional flexibility. For example, teachers of science and social studies may choose to teach each subject for approximately 45 minutes daily, or flex the time block so as to have extra time to devote to hands-on learning such as laboratory experiments, or perhaps an historic reader's theater project. 

Weekly Cycle:

The Intermediate School will operate on a 5-Day cycle schedule. The days will be identified as Days A-E. If Tuesday, August 28 is our first day of school, it will be Day A. Days continue to cycle (B, C, D, E) consecutively throughout the week and school year. Interruptions in our calendar due to holidays, student off days due to in-service, and weather cause the cycle to adjust. For example, if the last day in school was a Wednesday and it is Day B, and then school closes on Thursday and Friday for inclement weather or a holiday, then when students return on Monday it will be Day C (no break in cycle).

On each of the five days of the cycle, students will experience one complementary related arts course accounting for 45 minutes of their day. Physical Education/Health is taught two days of the cycle all year. The other related arts courses are general Music, Art and STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math)

Spartan Period (Enrichment & Focus time):

A 30 minute Spartan Period occurs daily for all grade levels at the Intermediate School. This period is taught by core subject teachers. This period will permit dedicated time for curricular  enrichment (instrumental music lesson time slots), extensions/remediation and intervention,and focus lessons (career exploration, citizenship building, social skills building, personal safety/anti-bullying).

Instructional Facility:

The interior and exterior spaces of the Intermediate School have been well equipped and are aesthetically outstanding. All teaching spaces are equipped with a 52" flat screen TV, which allows teachers and students efficient viewing space and effective use of current wireless technology paired with laptops. Instructional spaces have white board writing surfaces. A modest playground is in place for the use of students. Wide open field space and black top surface round out the outdoor play areas.