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At GEMS Nations Academy, our curriculum will combine an
outstanding U.S. standards framework while leveraging the assets
of our international student community and the cultural diversity that
it brings. Our students will excel academically while becoming part of
a kinship that celebrates learning about different cultures, traditions,
and habits.
The curriculum at GEMS Nations Academy is based on the
U.S. Common Core State Standards as adapted by the State of
Washington.
Elementary School: Kindergarten (KG1 & KG2)
For our youngest students in KG1 and KG2, we introduce a school
culture rooted in principles of trust and caring. Learning will be
experiential. It will challenge confident and enthusiastic students
to engage wholeheartedly in activities that expand their skills and
conceptual understanding. Technology will play a vital role in the
process as students develop 21st century skills of communication
and analysis.
Elementary School: Grade 1 through Grade 5
The developmental trajectory of each student is unique, and this is
particularly the case in Grades 1 through 5. Today most students are
reading by the end of Kindergarten, although we now know that early
reading does not correlate with any long-term academic advantage. As
basic skills are developed in all subject areas in the Elementary School
at GEMS Nations Academy, the program embraces the flexibility to
challenge every student while keeping engagement and motivation high
for all students. Students are providedwith opportunities to demonstrate
their numerous talents, communication skills, and leadership qualities
through curricular and co-curricular activities, in addition to the core
curricular areas of reading, writing, math, science, and social studies.
Our teachers are instrumental in capturing the natural enthusiasm
and interests of students by integrating their ideas, feelings, and
experiences into their journey of learning. Students are encouraged
to accept responsibility for their actions and decisions, enhancing
their feelings of self-esteem, self-confidence, and connection.
Our teachers place a high value on nurturing relationships with
students, establishing a circle of trust within the classroom.
Our Curriculum
Inspiring the Leaders of Tomorrow
Middle School: Grade 6 through 8
The middle grades represent the vitally important transition to
adolescence as young people are exploring more deeply than before
the essential questions of identity, purpose, and meaning. At GEMS
Nations Academy, we extend the curriculum in the middle grades
to include world languages, civic education, service learning, and
a deeper engagement in science and mathematics, even as the
English language and literature grow more challenging and complex.
Traditionally, this expansion of educational range and opportunity
was called a well-rounded education.
At Nations, we go beyond well-rounded to well-crafted for 21st
century skill- development. Coding, robotics, problem-solving,
projects, and inquiry-based learning will enrich the program,
with constant reference to the U.S. Common Core skills and
the high standards of Washington State.
High School: Grade 9 through 12
Obtaining the credentials needed for moving to the next
stage of education is important. But in reality, adolescents
need much more than this. The variety of programs and
experiences that will serve the unique developmental
needs of this stage of life are offered in high school.
Students are supported in taking initiative, thinking
and acting with intelligence, learning to express
ideas and feelings in constructive and respectful
ways, and accepting responsibility for their actions.
In high school, the focus shifts to deep
understanding, college-level academic work, and
transferrable skills. The core academic program
intends to build skills and understandings
around literacy, numeracy, science, creativity
and sustainability, with a continued focus on
the Arabic language and the power of coding
to instruct machines on routine processes.
Sophisticated laboratory facilities are
available in both Middle and High School
grades, and the science program will
include biology, chemistry, physics, and
environmental science for all students.