Elementary
Grades K-5
The Elementary Science Curriculum is aligned with the Virginia Department of Education Science Standards of Learning, ensuring that student learning outcomes are met. In an inquiry-based setting, students act as scientists and engineers as they explore questions and problems, make claims, and support them with evidence. They apply their content knowledge, along with scientific and engineering practices, in a hands-on, discourse-rich learning environment, creating scientifically literate citizens.
Instructional Overview
Elementary school students explore topics that increase in complexity from grades K-5, with a focus on Scientific and Engineering Practices, Force, Motion and Energy, Matter, Living Systems and Processes, Earth and Space Systems, and Earth Resources.
Secondary
Grades 6-12
The Secondary Science Curriculum aligns learning outcomes with the Virginia Department of Education Science Standards of Learning and embeds meaningful and innovative instructional resources that encourage inquiry and exploration within the science classroom. Focus is on content knowledge and understanding of essential science and engineering practices that will inform future student decisions to create scientifically literate citizens.
Instructional Overview
Students in middle school science courses explore the characteristics of their world, from the Earth’s placement in the solar system to the interactions of water, energy, air and ecosystems.
They investigate the organization and classification of living things and the dynamic interactions between organisms and their environments and develop an understanding of the nature and structure of matter and the characteristics of energy.
Students in high school science courses gain a more detailed understanding of living systems past and present, the interactions of matter and energy, and the composition, structure, mechanisms, and history of planet Earth. High school students may also study advanced topics in science by enrolling in one or more of the myriad electives offered.