Curriculum

 

Arendell Parrott Academy’s Transition program is designed as a bridge for children between preschool and kindergarten. Through a structured, interactive environment, this program allows each child to grow intellectually and socially at a pace that is developmentally appropriate for that child. It is designed to provide young children with a more flexible learning environment while giving them the time to develop the maturity, social skills, and academic skills required to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Our teachers strive to develop an intimate understanding of your child; not just his academic abilities, but his strengths and weaknesses, his favorite things and things he fears, and his family and friends. Your child is woven into the fabric of our Parrott “family.”

 

Kindergarten builds on a child’s pre-school or Transition experience as a foundation for the lower school experience. Implementing a core curriculum of language arts, math, science, and social skills, teachers focus on reading readiness.

 

A great education is based on a strong foundation built in the lower grades. In our Lower School, you will find enthusiastic, certified teachers employing innovative techniques and challenging curricula. Each classroom offers a warm and nurturing environment. Small class sizes allow teachers to provide an accelerated program of study. The Lower School curriculum centers on the development of language, math, science, and social studies skills. Students learn study strategies and time management. They work independently and collaboratively while learning how to be responsible and organized. Resource classes afford students the opportunity to explore the arts, physical education, computer skills, foreign languages, and character education. On campus tutoring (at an additional fee) is available for students who need extra support.

 

Arendell Parrott Academy’s Middle School program builds on the foundation established in the Lower School and equips students for success in the Upper School and beyond. As your child grows and develops into a teenager, the Middle School environment evolves. Students gain more independence and responsibility. Our students welcome new academic challenges, deliver public speeches, test new athletic skills, and audition for school performances. We encourage thoughtful boldness in our students while they explore new possibilities in a safe, encouraging environment.

Opportunities to pursue personal interests become available through the introduction of electives and expanded extracurricular activities. Students can try a variety of activities and find true interests. They can participate in clubs, athletics (beginning in 7th grade), student government, and arts organizations like the dance ensemble, theatre, and orchestra. Academic teams including Science Olympiad, Math Counts, and Battle of the Books allow students to compete and explore in-depth areas of study they may have only touched on in the classroom. Students develop leadership skills by election to the Middle School Council or by earning membership in the National Junior Honor Society.

A full-time advisor helps guide your child through the transitional years of Middle School academics and activities. Study skills, test-taking tools and strategies, and peer relationship building are all topics our advisor addresses. Group discussions on social issues, such as peer pressure and bullying, are covered through the year. Outside speakers are invited to speak on selected topics, such as Internet safety and online digital citizenship. The advisor advocates for students, promotes social success, and mediates conflict resolution as needed.

 

 

At Parrott Academy, we guide your child to exciting new discoveries and prepare students to strike out on their own by offering opportunities to excel on the playing fields, in the arts, and in the classroom. We encourage them to expand their world view and develop an understanding of their place in the community through service initiatives. We encourage them to pursue their passions and to find their place in the world.

We set high expectations for academic achievement. Our faculty focuses on ensuring that every Upper School student is well prepared to attend the college or university he or she chooses. We use the UNC university system’s admission requirements as a guideline for our graduation requirements. Our school profile, included in the admissions packet and sent with every college application, offers in-depth information about curriculum offerings at the Academy. The core curriculum continues to focus on English, math, science, social studies, and foreign languages. Both honors level and Advanced Placement (AP) level courses are offered in each discipline. Guided independent study and online courses are offered for the highly motivated and academically prepared student. Students should plan on taking academic and other electives beyond those required for graduation and which are appropriate for their future education plans.

 

To aid in this process, we offer Upper School guidance and college advising. Our guidance program is designed to assist students as they grow from tentative ninth graders into confident young adults ready to venture into their futures. Students are encouraged to link high school and post–secondary education to future career options. Information on enrichment opportunities, such as Summer Ventures in science and mathematics, Governor’s School, and other opportunities, is made available to students. Our college advising helps students identify colleges and universities that best match each individual’s needs and abilities. Beginning in freshman year, we assist our students on their journey of self–discovery. By senior year, finding the right “college fit” is hopefully more thrilling than stressful. Sophomore year, we make college campus visits as a class and we use this time to coach students on how to visit a college. Our advisors partner with our faculty and coaches to help our students pursue an appropriate academic program and to develop special talents or interests beyond the classroom, knowing that each new experience helps them learn more about themselves. We offer various opportunities for travel in the Upper School (our students have visited many countries on four continents including Ecuador, Peru, Spain, Italy, France, England, and China to name a few) through our SERV organization and academic departments.

Our goal is to empower our students to be the best they can be. We enjoy helping students find meaningful volunteer experiences, summer enrichment, leadership opportunities, and other activities to help them discover their talents and passions. Additional programs, campus speakers, and college tours help students and their parents gain insight into choosing the right college. The four–year cohesive effort involving students, parents, faculty, advisors, and counselors has resulted in over ninety–nine percent of Academy graduates pursuing education beyond the secondary level.

The Academy offers an extensive assortment of extracurricular activities in the arts, athletics, academic teams, student government, and service. A complete list of clubs and organizations is available on our website.