Emerald Heights Academy offers full-time instruction for students in Pre-K4 through 8th grade. We seek to cultivate in each of our students a natural curiosity and love for learning, leading to a solid preparation for higher education and professional careers. Students are challenged by a balanced curriculum of phonics-based reading, math, science, technology, history, religion, Spanish language, physical education, music and art. High academic standards and personal attention provide a strong foundation for the success of each student.

Curriculum

Our goal is to help each student to reach his or her full potential. Emerald Heights Academy offers a complete academic and social experience for students allowing them to excel academically and develop leadership skills.  Emerald Heights Academy believes that education involves the development of key intellectual abilities including analyzing, synthesizing, relating and evaluating. Active participation, creativity and problem solving are also important parts of middle school academics.

Our advanced curriculum is strong in content.  We address each student’s needs with personal attention and work with parents to provide individualized instruction.  Teachers help to form effective study habits which encourage critical thinking and reflection.  Students gain confidence and poise through the practice of public speaking. As students prepare to make decisions and influence our world, they are challenged to think critically and integrate Christ-centered principles into their lives. Our goal is to positively prepare students for the future and help them fulfill the unique mission for which they are created.

 

Pre-K4 - 2nd Grade Subject Areas

Mathematics: Saxon Math Program (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
In Saxon Math, skills and concepts from every math strand are reinforced and connected throughout the year, helping students build a strong foundation of understanding. Learning is incremental and each new concept is continuously reviewed, so the learning is renewed regularly instead of being forgotten when the next topic is presented. Program components include: numeration/operation, measurement, computation, geometry, problem solving, patterns, and graphing.

Religion: Faith and Life Series (Ignatius Press) - Jesus Our Life & Our Heavenly Father
The Religion program aims to give students knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith. The Ignatius Press Faith and Life series, with its rich textual and artistic content, provides a great foundation for learning about the faith. Reading from the Bible, learning about the sacraments and traditional Catholic prayers are all components of the program. Supplemental materials from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program are used as well. Grades K-8 participate in a monthly virtue  program.

Science: Science (BJU Press):
The science program integrates earth, life and physical science and the introduction to the scientific process. Examples of units covered in earth science are: rocks and minerals, water cycle, weather, solar system, and space. Examples in life science are: habitats, communities, food, nutrition, and exercise. Examples in physical science are: simple machines, solids, liquids, gases, molecules, and magnets.

History: World History and United States History (Pearson)
Map skills, U.S. history and the study of ancient civilizations are the areas of study. Examples of units covered are: Geography of the Americas, Immigration and Citizenship, Civil War, Civil Rights Leaders, Ancient India, and Japan Today.

Language Arts
The Language Arts program is designed to immerse students in the world of reading and writing. It develops students’ comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, and grammar. The students read poetry, and short stories.

Writing: Excellence in Writing (EIW)

Spelling: Spelling Workout (Modern Curriculum Press)

Reading/Phonics/Grammar: Pearson Literacy Program

Literature: At least five of the following literary works listed below will be read each year: Flat Stanley, Pompeii Buried Alive, Frog and Toad, The Velveteen Rabbit, The First Thanksgiving, Ralph S. Mouse, Patron Saint of First Communicants, The Trumpet of the Swan, Christopher Columbus, Sarah Plain and Tall, Peter Rabbit & Other Favorite Tales, Molly’s Pilgrim, Little House in the Big Woods

 

3rd and 4th Grade Subject Areas

Mathematics: Saxon Math Program (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
In Saxon Math, skills and concepts from every math strand are reinforced and connected throughout the year, helping students build a strong foundation of understanding. Learning is incremental and each new concept is continuously reviewed, so the learning is renewed regularly. Emphasis is given to mastering the foundational skills critical for success in more advanced courses in mathematics. Program components include: numeration/operation, measurement, computation, geometry, problem solving, patterns, graphing, multiplication/division, fractions and decimals. 

Religion: Faith and Life Series (Ignatius Press) - Credo: Our Life with Jesus & Jesus Our Guide
The Religion program aims to give students knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith. The Ignatius Press Faith and Life series, with its rich textual and artistic content, provides a great foundation for learning about the faith. Reading from the Bible, learning about the sacraments and traditional Catholic prayers are all components of the program.  Supplemental materials from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program are used as well.  Grades K-8 participate in a monthly virtue program.

Science: Science (BJU Press):
The science program integrates earth, life and physical science and the scientific process. Examples of units covered in earth science are: the moon, oceans, weather, natural resources, bones and muscles. Examples in life science are: living things, insects and plants. Examples in physical science are: forces and machines, electricity, magnetism and light.

History: World & US History and Geography (Pearson), Washington Our Home (Gibbs Smith Education)
The study of world history, Washington State history and US History are the areas of study. Examples of units covered are: Canada, World Rivers, ancient Rome, the Vikings, the earliest Americans, exploration of North America, the Thirteen Colonies, Lewis and Clark, the Oregon Trail, and Washington State.

Language Arts:
The Language Arts program is designed to immerse students in the world of reading and writing.  It also builds students’ vocabulary and their mastery of spelling, grammar, and composition. Each course includes poetry, short stories, and at least four major literary works.

Vocabulary: Wordly Wise (Educators Publishing Services)

Grammar: Easy Grammar (Isha Enterprises, Inc)

Spelling: Spelling Workout (Modern Curriculum Press)

Writing: Excellence in Writing (EIW)

Reading: Pearson Literacy Program

Literature: At least five of the following literary works will be read each year: Charlotte’s Web, Stone Fox, Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Little House on the Prairie, Because of Winn Dixie, Anne of Green Gables, Sign of the Beaver, Single Shard, Number the Stars, Afternoon of the Elves, Where the Red Fern Grows, Secret Garden, Saint book, From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler, My Daniel, The One and Only Ivan, Indian in the Cupboard

 

5th and 6th Grade Subject Areas

Math: Saxon

Religion:
Faith and Life (Ignatius Press):
Credo: I Believe
Following Christ
Supplemental Materials from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Latin: Prima Latina (Memoria Press)

Science: Earth Science (Prentice Hall)

Vocabulary: Wordly Wise (Educators Publishing Services)

Writing: Excellence in Writing (EIW)

History: World History – All Ye Lands: Origins of World Cultures (Catholic Textbook Project)

Grammar: Easy Grammar (Isha Enterprises, Inc)

Spanish: ¡avancemos!: Student Edition Level 1 - Spanish Edition (Holt McDougal)

Literature: At least four of the following literary works listed below will be read each year: Hatchet Tuck Everlasting; Holes; The Children’s Homer; The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe; Watch for Me, Wait for Me; The Winged Watchman; Island of the Blue Dolphins; Julie of the Wolves; The Golden Goblet; Call it Courage;Sounder; The Phantom Tollbooth; Trumpeter of Krakow; My Side of the Mountain; Red Hugh; Prince of Donegal; The Magician's Nephew; The Whipping Boy; A Christmas Carol; Beorn, The Proud; The Wolf and the Shield; The Small War of Sergeant Donkey


7th and 8th Grade Subject Areas

Math: Saxon

Religion:
Faith and Life (Ignatius Press):
The Life of Grace
Our Life in the Church
Supplemental Materials from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Latin:
Latina Christiana level I (Memoria Press)
Latina Christiana Level II (Memoria Press)

Science:
Physical Science (Prentice Hall)
Life Science (Prentice Hall)

Vocabulary: Wordly Wise (Educators Publishing Services)

Writing: Excellence in Writing (EIW)

History:
World History – All Ye Lands: Origins of World Cultures (Catholic Textbook Project)
American History – Beginnings Through Reconstruction, and, Reconstruction to the Present (McDougal-
Littell)

Grammar: Easy Grammar (Isha Enterprises, Inc)

Spanish: ¡avancemos!: Student Edition Level 1 - Spanish Edition (Holt McDougal)

Calligraphy: Italic Calligraphy for School and Home (Getty-Dubay Productions)

Literature: At least four of the following literary works will be read each year: Trumpeter of Krakow; The Bronze Bow; Johnny Termain; The Shadow of His Wings; The Children’s Homer; Do Hard Things; Julius Caesar; The Giver; My Brother Same is Dead; Alice in Wonderland; Treasure Island; Across Five Aprils; Eagle of the Ninth; Alice in Wonderland; Roll of Thunder; Phantom Tollbooth; To Kill a Mockingbird; Amos Fortune, Free Man; Midsummer Night’s Dream; Scarlet Pimpernel; Great Expectations; Across Five Aprils; The Arabian Nights