CURRICULUM
South Bay Christian School offers a full range of learning opportunities for students. The curriculum for the elementary grades K-4 and upper grades, 5-8 are accredited by the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists and WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges).
Students enjoy a developmentally appropriate learning environment where everyone can learn and succeed.
We have the ability to differentiate learning with math and reading. Math is taught at the same time for all grades so students can go up a grade level or down a grade level depending on the needs of the student based on teacher assessment and the child’s abilities. The reading program used is Accelerated Reader, a self-paced reading system where students gain confidence in their reading abilities as they complete comprehension tests online, they move from one level to the next.
We teach math, phonics, reading, language arts, history, science, P.E., bible and do daily worship with chapel on Fridays.
Standardized Tests
Students Kindergarten through Grade 8 take the MAP, or the Measure of Academic Progress test. This computerized adaptive test helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child’s academic growth. This test is administerd two times per year, once in the fall and in the spring.
STEAM Education – Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math
Science
Students participate in science learning throughout the week. Every other year we host a science fair featuring the student’s science projects. In addition, the middle school grades each have a specific science camp they attend.
Mrs. Allison Sleeman, former 5th grade teacher, tending to our chickens.
South Bay Christian School is dedicated and committed to teaching students to live for today without borrowing from tomorrow. As a result we have produced the nations first sustainable school garden that uses multiple sources of irrigation systems to teach water conservation, grow our own vegetables used for the healthy hot lunch program and teach science in a our food laboratory on campus.
Our garden uses vertical tower gardens, wicking beds and drip irrigation to grow fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and more. In addition, we have a dedicated “butterfly” garden and a chicken coop with 6 chickens.
The children love the life science learning that comes from an on-campus garden.
The upper grades attend special overnight camps dedicated to various subjects in science including nature camp, astro-camp and science camp.
We will have a mission trip for the upper grades and an 8th grade trip in the spring.
Technology
South Bay Christian School offers Chromebooks to each student as a technological learning tool.
We have an after-school enrichment program in robotics where students compete in March each year.
Art – Visual Arts, Dramatic Arts, Music and Band
Trained parent docents teach Adventures in Art lessons throughout the year. Lessons have specific themes and are devoted to the use of a wide variety of art materials and creative projects. Each year the students showcase their work along the walls of the gym during the spring musical.
Additional art projects are conducted in class per grade.
Students are exposed to a full program of music and drama through song, skits, talent show, 2 musical productions, one at Christmas time and one in the spring, along with learning to play musical instruments. Fourth graders learn the recorder and can go on to master a musical instrument in our SoundWaves program in the upper grades. (These programs have not been in operation during the Covid season but we hope to return to them soon.
Mathematics
GO Math! curriculum is used to meet rising standards, with focus, coherence and rigor.
GO Math! incorporates the latest thinking in its comprehensive approach and engages digital natives with cross-platform technology. It helps teachers to differentiate instruction, building and reinforcing foundational math skills that translate from the classroom to real life.
Physical Education
Students enjoy P.E. four days a week as part of the standard curriculum. In addition, we offer after school sports for upper grades.
Foreign Language
We teach Spanish in the upper grades.
Common Core Standards are used. Learn more here – https://sbchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Common-Core-State-Standards..pdf