Our Curriculum
The educational goal at Graystone Academy is to prepare students to be creative, intuitive and analytical thinkers with a solid understanding of the history of ideas. The content-rich Paragon™ Curriculum prepares students to solve problems both individually and collaboratively, using critical thinking skills. Extensive access to computer technology enables students to utilize the vast resources of the internet and state-of-the-art software to enhance their knowledge.
The Paragon™ Curriculum combines the rigors of a classical education with the best teaching practices worldwide, including technology. To the traditional 3 Rs of Reading, WRiting and ARithmetic, we add Art, Reasoning and Research. In addition, Spanish is taught to all grades as an integral part of the curriculum.
Highlights of the GACS Program
The Graystone Academy Charter School program includes:
• Explicit phonics instruction, in conjunction with content-rich classic and multi-cultural literature in the morning session of core subjects.
• Math and science taught as discrete subjects, in the morning session, to cultivate skills essential to academic success.
• Full-day Kindergarten.
• 1 to 3 ratio of computers to students. Technology applications, including CD-ROMs and Internet sites are woven into the fabric of the curriculum, instead of segregating technology into a separate once-a-week computer class.
• Strategic application of computer technology develops genuine computer literacy and allows students to experience the value of the computer as an integrated learning tool.
• Interdisciplinary Paragon™ program in the afternoon, including social science, literature, philosophy, drama, music, art, science, history, math, geography and character development through the hands-on study of "great ideas" in world culture.
• Spanish instruction for all students beginning in Kindergarten.
• Approximately one hour more instructional time per day.
• School year increased by twenty days.
• Strong student accountability measured by a national standardized test administered twice each year
• Individualized personal learning plan for every child.
• Dedicated teachers for Art, Music, Physical Education, Technology and Spanish.
Students who are having difficulty keeping up with their classmates will be provided additional instructional time after school to keep them on a "level playing field" with their peers. This will be provided at no charge to students.
Individual Educational Program’s (IEP’s)
Graystone follows all guidelines issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. If a child with an IEP (Individualized Educational Program) at a public school enrolls in our school, we will implement the existing IEP to the extent possible, or will provide an interim IEP agreed to by parents until a new IEP can be developed. IEPs will be developed, revised and implemented only in accordance with IDEA and Pennsylvania law and regulations. The Charter School will fully comply with federal laws and regulations governing children with disabilities, particularly the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
GACS employs all certified teachers who are also enrolled in the State of PA retirement program. Intensive teacher education takes place before the start of school each year with on-going professional development throughout the school year. GACS also operates under most of the same PA Department of Education guidelines and requirements as other public schools. Teachers are employed on an annual at-will performance based contract, linked to student performance for merit raises and bonuses.
Students receive comprehensive computer instruction with 8 computers in every classroom. The computer modules are designed to reinforce learning modules with core subjects and assist students in learning common software packages like Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint .
Report cards and parent conferences are completed 3 times per year. Student performance is evaluated once a month. In addition to the End of Grade tests called for in the PSSA, GACS conducts IOWA standardized testing every Fall and Spring to assess student advancement.
The school day and academic calendar are modeled after European schools with a longer day and a longer school year. This results in 3.5 additional years of instruction (over 25% more) over the K-12 sequence. Increased learning time allows for greater mastery of curriculum content and for increased exposure to engaging enrichment programs that develop the whole student.