<Academic Programs>

BONUS WORK. Bonus work is being offered in each class. The emphasis is on higher level thinking skills and family involvement. Look for the BONUS button on our website and in students backpacks each Monday!!!

SCHOOL WIDE math hour. Each student is placed in a math group at his/her level. Each math group meets for 1 hour a day. The daily math classes include problem-solving, critical thinking skills, a daily lesson, individual and group practice, memorization skills and use of manipulatives. Writing in Math is a weekly requirement. Students will practice their writing skills by explaining how they solved problems and by writing their own problems. Teachers and students are able to focus on quality math skills to provide a firm foundation for advanced learning. Our SRA math series is the best to accomplish all of this.

Reading has always been a priority at Chapel Hill Academy. This year we have linked the Reading groups with a Language Arts class. Students have been placed in Reading groups according to their reading level. Their Language Arts groups are now the same as their reading groups. This allows teachers to use the concepts learned in the reading lessons as a base for the language arts lessons. Skills and concepts are reinforced and connected. Our Houghton-Mifflin reading series has great stories and fun activities.

Student journal writing is happening everyday and students are enjoying their daily writing topics.

We love our science program!!!! Students at Chapel Hill Academy have the privilege of not only learning great science topics in the classroom using our wonderful SRA SCIENCE SERIES but they also are able to participate in our science lab!!! Lab coats, goggles and the scientific method are essential items in this exciting, hands on environment. Our WEATHER STATION on the roof of the school provides a realistic way to predict and track weather. See our WEATHER BUG button on our website to see current weather in Lincoln Park or any where in the world!

Advanced Science is offered to our eighth, ninth, and tenth graders whose interest and good academic standing allow them to proceed at a faster pace and explore topics in more depth than the regular science classes. Advanced Science meets daily and includes two lab classes/week.

“Social Studies is fun!” declares a Chapel Hill student. Houghton-Mifflin textbooks provide fun and exciting social studies lessons. The pictures are conversation starters and the enrichment is cross-curricular. Geography, citizenship and history are combined to make lessons fun and interesting. Projects, maps, and videos supplement the curriculum so that students learn as they are doing.

Conversational Spanish is offered at each grade level. (Once a week for one marking period for grades K-3 and once a week for the school year for everyone else) Our Spanish lab offers a great way to learn to speak simple Spanish as well as learn about Spanish culture in many Spanish speaking countries. Geography, music, food, and heritage are only some of the discussions that happen while learning vocabulary, simple greetings, and phrases.

Knowledge of computers and the technology highway are essential for success today. Chapel Hill students not only have computers in each classroom but participate in Computer Lab twice a week. Academic support as well as computer education is the main focus. Students learn desktop publishing, web searching, keyboarding and many other skills in the computer lab. Computers are also used to teach in the classroom. We find that information presented as a slide show captures the attention of every student in the class!! Alpha Smarts (a hand held keyboard) can be used in class when a student needs extra help with their writing.

Eventhough we are in the computer age, the staff at Chapel Hill Academy feel strongly that students need to learn about books. Each student is scheduled for one library class a week through out the school year. Students learn about the different types of books, the parts of a book, how to research topics using books, and are encouraged to read for fun. Book reports and research paper formats are taught and students can earn Chapel Hill Dollars to spend at our year Book Fair for each book report completed!

Physical Education classes meet three times a week. The focus of our Physical Education classes is individual physical fitness, group and individual games, team building, and sportsmanship. Students progress at their own individual pace and in addition are encouraged to strive for a healthy life style. Team sports like soccer, basketball and softball are available during our elective periods. Some students will be eligible to compete against other schools, based on our academic and behavioral programs.

Our students are very creative and talented. Through the use of our weekly Therapeutic Art classes we encourage students to explore the many forms art can take. Drawing, painting, fabrics, clay, ceramics and wood working are only a few of our Art offerings. Classes are directed by our very talented art teacher who is also a school counselor. She meets with students in small groups and through out her lessons encourages students to explore their feelings of self and family.

Along with our wonderful Art program we provide students with a unique musical experience. Our music teacher, (a recording artist himself!) provides classroom instruction as well as individual lessons in drums, guitar, keyboard and singing. Our Recording Studio allows students to participate in many aspects of the music profession such as writing, recording and performing original music. Chapel Hill Academy produces a CD every year!!! All students who are interested can participate. We wrap up each school year each year with our CD Release party!!

Health classes are required of each student for one marking period each year. Hygiene, body systems, health and nutrition and family life are offered at the different grade levels. A healthy life style is important for all of our staff and students.