Gaudior Academy, Academics

Academics

Core Subjects and Extracurricular Avticities
Gaudior Academy offers children an opportunity to learn in an environment that fosters respect, cooperative learning and the use of multiple intelligences. Core subjects include math, English / Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. Special classes include Spanish, Music, Art and Physical Education. Students are also encouraged to participate in Band, Chorus, Newspaper and Yearbook. Please click on the above links for more in-depth information per level.

Team Teaching and Levels
Gaudior Academy offers children an opportunity to learn in an environment that fosters respect, cooperative learning and the use of multiple intelligences. The teachers believe in the power of teaming, and established Gaudior based on those principles.

The school is divided into five levels that are multi-aged groupings instead of grades. These grade level distinctions are approximate. The multi-aged concept allows our school to look at the academic and social development of the child, not only chronological age, to determine placement.

There are two classrooms per level, in which social studies, science, math and language arts are performed. Specialists teach art, music, Spanish and physical education. The level teachers will group the children for different activities so that different learning styles and strengths can be addressed.

The level teachers provide the direction for the students. Rather than relying upon single subject-area textbooks, each teaching team draws upon and integrates materials from multiple sources to create a curriculum that serves the unique needs of their classrooms. Working with the school curriculum and the state educational objectives (GLEs), the level teachers develop a two-year educational plan for the students in the level. As a team, the teachers create an environment in which the children learn to respect themselves, others and the world around them.

International Baccalaureate Program
In August 2008, the entire teaching staff began training in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The certification process for this program takes at least three years. The IB program is recognized world-wide as a foundation for developing students who embrace critical thinking skills, awareness of international issues, and respect for their fellow individuals and the environment.

Additional Reading
Gaudior's unique philosophy and mission statement are based on the works of Howard Gardener, Jeanne Gibbs, Carolyn Tomlinson and Robert Marzano. These authors have determined best practices based on research-driven data.

MEAP/IOWA Results
Every year Gaudior participates in two forms of standardized testing. In the fall, students in grades 3-8 are given the Michigan Evaluation and Assessment Plan (MEAP). Click here to view the results. No Child Left Behind legislation has determined success rates for these tests, called Annual Yearly Progress (AYP). Since the inception of the test in 2001, Gaudior students have always made AYP. In the spring, all students are given the IOWA test.

Ed Yes! Grade
Just as the students are ranked by the results of their testing scores, schools are ranked also. In Michigan, this ranking is Ed Yes! For the 2008-09 school year, Gaudior earned a "B".