Curriculum

At La Academia, our K-5 curriculum embraces the enriching philosophy of language immersion, ensuring a thorough, standards-based education across all content areas. This approach supports our mission to cultivate bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural citizens by integrating language and content, thereby enhancing language acquisition and critical thinking skills.

Grades K-4

• The instructional day is equally divided, with students spending 50% of their time with their English teacher and 50% with their Spanish teacher
• The English teacher instructs English Language Arts and Social Studies
• The Spanish teacher teaches Spanish Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science
• Both teachers cooperatively plan to ensure the reinforcement of different subject areas, promoting content transfer and deeper learning

Grade 5

• Serves as a pivotal year, preparing students for Middle School, where they will transition to a Spanish language program with two tracks for heritage and non-heritage speakers
• Students spend 80% of their time with their English content teachers and 20% with their Spanish teacher
• The English content teachers provide instruction in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Social Studies
• The Spanish teacher focuses on Spanish Language Arts and Science

La Academia’s mathematics curriculum is rigorously aligned with the Common Core State Standards, ensuring a strong foundation for all students. In Kindergarten, first, second, and fifth grades, students receive 60 minutes of daily instruction using the Zearn Curriculum, which blends hands-on activities with digital learning to make math accessible and engaging. Lessons are tailored to help students understand key concepts at their own pace.

For third and fourth grades, we currently use Mis Matemáticas during their 60 minutes block, with plans to transition to Zearn in 2025. Additionally, teachers utilize DreamBox as a supplemental tool to personalize learning and enhance each student's understanding, skills, and academic success in mathematics.

Our English and Spanish Language Arts (ELA/SLA) curriculum adheres to the Common Core State Standards, ensuring a structured and rigorous approach to bilingual literacy. We utilize the Wonders and Maravillas curricula to deliver comprehensive bilingual literacy development within a 90-minute instructional block that includes differentiated, skill-focused instruction. Additionally, we provide 30 minutes of targeted reading instruction as part of our Response to Intervention (RTI) program to enrich and accelerate student literacy skills.

Science instruction aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which provide students with a thorough understanding of scientific concepts through hands-on learning and real-world application. Delivered in Spanish, our curriculum fosters language immersion and bilingual development through discovery and experimentation, ensuring students gain practical skills and a comprehensive grasp of science.

La Academia’s social studies lessons follow the Delaware Recommended standards, providing a structured framework that covers history, geography, economics, and civics. This comprehensive approach emphasizes critical thinking and analysis, helping students understand social dynamics and their roles as informed citizens.

At La Academia, our students thrive through Project-Based Learning (PBL), where they apply key concepts from science and social studies to develop comprehensive projects. These projects integrate reading, writing, mathematics, and language skills, emphasizing student choice and real-world relevance. This method culminates in a school-wide celebration of learning, showcasing the students' hard work and creativity. Our integrated PBL approach not only fosters academic excellence but also equips students with critical skills necessary for global citizenship.

• Art
• Music
• Health
• Physical Education
• STEAM Lab
• Theatre
• Math Lab (K-2)

Classrooms are equipped with Interactive Whiteboards, Document Cameras, and Chromebooks, enhancing learning through technology-enhanced instruction. Teachers use GoGuardian to monitor and manage students' online activities, ensuring a safe and focused digital learning environment.

Teachers use ClassDojo to communicate with parents, providing real-time updates on student progress, classroom activities, and important announcements. This platform helps foster a strong home-school connection, allowing parents to stay engaged and informed about their child's education.

La Academia’s Spanish Immersion program emphasizes deep cultural understanding and character development through project-based learning and mindfulness practices. We invite parents to explore how our approach prepares students to be critical thinkers and multicultural leaders. Applications for the Choice Open Application Period are essential for participation in our admissions lottery. For detailed enrollment processes, please visit Delaware Public School Enrollment.