Academic Curriculum

Pusch Ridge Christian Academy desires students to be consistently engaged in the learning process. History, taught from a biblical worldview provides the backbone of our curriculum. This is the story of man’s progression from a beginning to a final end as directed by Almighty God. Within each time period of history, students will research and discover great ideas, people, works of art, music, science, mathematics and literature. Our goal is to introduce the student to an abundance of true thoughts from a variety of great minds. These great thoughts then guide the individual learner in the development of his or her own personal character. In class sizes of 20-25 students, teachers work closely with students, developing relationships that create close fellowship as well as a stimulating learning environment.

Middle School Academic Overview

The Pusch Ridge Middle School provides a bridge between the elementary level of education and the high school, offering an academic program designed to develop critical thinking and study skills that challenge and prepare students for the college preparatory high school. Teachers are specialists in the academic topics they teach and are especially sensitive to the developmental changes of young adolescents. They offer biblical support and guidance that help each student reinforce and apply skills previously learned, but also stimulate their emerging ability in independent thinking, abstract reasoning, intellectual integrity, and social maturity.

The middle school's interscholastic athletic program offers students six different sports over three seasons. The middle school also offers students in the 7th and 8th grades the opportunity to make choices in the selection of elective classes.

Sixth Grade – A Journey from 1200 - 1600 AD
The sixth grade curriculum takes the student on a journey from 1200 - 1600 AD, focusing on the Middle Ages, the Reformation, William Shakespeare and the Age of Discovery. Throughout the year the students study the theme of truth. In each time period students are taught to look for God’s Sovereignty and plan in the study of individuals and events that have shaped our history. Literature studies aid in the understanding of the times. Students are expected to memorize and recite a number of poems and scripture passages. Core subjects include social studies, English, literature and geography. Students rotate to specialists in science, Bible, music, art, Latin, PE and math. Narration or “telling back” is a key element in the sixth grade curriculum. A number of stories and sources are used for narrations. Students will have a number of classroom literature assignments as well as required recreational reading.

Students receive a planner, and are taught to keep track of all assignments and projects with an emphasis on the development of organizational skills, time management, and approaches to the study of various academic disciplines. This prepares the sixth grader for seventh grade, where self-reliance in handling the daily routine is expected. Teachers hold students responsible for completing assignments and meeting deadlines. Students are given letter grades in each academic subject, and have the opportunity to earn recognition on the quarterly Honor Roll and Lion's List.

Sixth grade students may elect to take part in a variety of interscholastic sports, Student Council, band and choral classes as well as community service and social activities. The sixth grade classes go on an annual three-day trip to the Grand Canyon coinciding with their studies in Explorers and Exploration.

Seventh Grade – Freedom
In seventh grade students examine the concept of freedom, learning that “Freedom is not free” as they study the time period 1600-1800 AD. They examine world history, especially as it relates to the settlement of New England and the history of the emerging United States. Students study the themes of oppression and liberation, the relationship of reason to faith, the place of law and government in human life and events, as well as religious freedoms. Students continue to read classical literature appropriate to their curriculum. Required classroom reading, as well as recreational reading is a major component to the success of each student.

Oral communications continue with monthly recitations including excerpts from famous American speeches and documents. Students enjoy a study of music and arts, examining composers and artists of the time period. The science curriculum in seventh grade follows the theme of the Age of Enlightenment and Reason, learning through observation and experimentation. Students will study both scientists and the creation they examined, including the structure of the atom, elements, chemical reactions, acids and bases. They then use this knowledge as they delve into oceans and seas, geology, minerals, rocks and crystals, earth formation and erosion. Bible class focuses on the lives and character of the key figures of the New Testament. Student's begin with Christ's life, study the birth and growth of the church, travel along with the missions, incorporating the Epistles as written historically and finish with an overview of the Revelation of Jesus. This course emphasizes application of scripture in daily living.

Students receive a planner, and are expected to show increasing responsibility in keeping track of all assignments and projects. Teachers hold students responsible for completing assignments and meeting deadlines. Students receive letter grades in each academic subject and have the opportunity to earn recognition on the quarterly Honor Roll and Lion's List.

Seventh grade students may elect to take part in a variety of interscholastic sports, Student Council, band and choral classes as well as community service and social activities. The seventh graders have their first opportunity to choose one elective class per semester. Elective choices include Band, Orchestra, Choir, Drama, iTech, Spanish I and Art Exploration. Each year the seventh grade class completes a mission project to help community charities.

Eight Grade – 1800s to Current Times
Eighth grade students discover how the choices individuals and nations made have affected world history, specifically looking at the years 1800 to the present. They examine the Civil War and the expansion of the United States, growing social and political unrest in Europe, capitalism versus socialism and communism, the ethics of war, the explosion of technology and the rise of Modernity. Students are encouraged and taught to develop a biblical worldview in an Postmodern culture. Classical literature is read to expand the students’ knowledge of the times and both in-class and recreational reading are required.

Logic is one of the divine attributes of our Creator and eighth grade students begin a one-year study of formal logic, using it to explore this expression of God’s unchanging, orderly, truthful character. Studies are also continued in the arts and music. Students in eighth grade study Life Sciences and through direct observation, experimentation and dissection, learn about famous scientists. They also examine basic organic chemistry as an introduction to understanding the cell, its structure and function. Eighth grade Bible is a historical study of the Old Testament characters. Their great adventures show their strengths and weaknesses and God's plan to redeem their lives for His glory and point to the coming of Christ from the very beginning of time. Our emphasis will be the application of scripture in daily living.

Students receive a planner, and are expected to show growing responsibility in keeping track of all assignments and projects. Teachers hold students responsible for completing assignments and meeting deadlines. Students receive letter grades in each academic subject, and students have the opportunity to earn recognition on the quarterly Honor Roll and Lion's List.

Eighth grade students may elect to take part in a variety of interscholastic sports, Student Council, band and choral classes as well as community service and social activities. The eighth graders continue to explore their gifts and talents, choosing one elective class per semester. Elective choices include Band, Orchestra, Choir, Drama, iTech, Spanish I and Art Exploration. Each year the eighth grade class has the opportunity to go on an extracurricular trip to Washington DC and New York. This greatly enhances their understanding of American history and of the times in which we live.

High School Academic Overview

Pusch Ridge’s students thrive in the high school's comprehensive, college preparatory curriculum by completing course work of significant depth and breadth. Students take advantage of the wide range of offerings in the academic program, athletics, and extracurricular activities. The academic program builds in students a fundamental body of knowledge, coupled with a biblical worldview that trains young people in critical thinking and the discovery of their gifts, so as to be prepared to make a difference in the world for God’s kingdom. With classes of 15-25 students, students are challenged in their thinking, develop close relationships with one another and grown in their knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grade Nine
     English 9 (or Honors)
     New Testament History and Thought
     Algebra I (or Honors)
     Geometry (or Honors)
     Algebra II (or Honors)
     World Geography (or Honors)
     Spanish I
     Biology (or Honors)
     Computer Technology Electives
     Fine Arts Electives
     Physical Education
     Team Sports (three seasons)

Grade Ten
     English 10 (or Honors)
     Old Testament History and Thought
     Algebra II (or Honors)
     Functions/Stats/Trig (or Honors)
     Geometry (or Honors)
     World History (or Honors)
     Spanish I or II
     Biology (or Honors)
     Chemistry (or Honors)
     Global Science
     Physics
     Anatomy and Physiology(or Honors) 
     Electives (two semesters)
     Physical Education
     Team Sports (three seasons)

Grade Eleven
     English 11 (or AP)
     English Language/Composition
     Biblical Analysis and Christian Worldview
     Algebra II (or Honors)
     Functions/Stats/Trig (or Honors)
     Pre-Calculus
     U.S. History ( or AP) 
     Spanish I, II, III
     Chemistry (or Honors or AP)
     Global Science
     Physics (or Honors)
     Anatomy and Physiology (or Honors) 
     Electives (two semesters)
     Physical Education or Team Sports (three seasons)

Grade Twelve
     English 12 or AP English Literature/Composition
     Apologetics and Applied Christianity
     Algebra II (or Honors)
     Functions/Stats/Trig (or Honors)
     Pre-Calculus 
     Calculus AB
     Calculus BC
     Business Math and Economics
     Government/Free Enterprise or AP Government
     Spanish I, II, III, or AP IV
     Chemistry (or Honors or AP), Physics, Anatomy/Physiology
     Electives (two semesters)
     Physical Education or Team Sports (three seasons)

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