Curriculum
Unity Charter School sets a new paradigm for public school education and sustainability, far exceeding the New Jersey academic standards. Our emphasis on sustainability is infused into a comprehensive academic and social-emotional curriculum focused on the development of the whole child. Through a combination of academic rigor, project-based and experiential learning, and leadership opportunities, Unity fosters the growth of 21st century leaders and global citizens.
Below, you’ll find an overview of our curriculum by subject category, but we encourage you to come to us directly with more pointed questions regarding any aspect of our curriculum.
Sustainability
As a pillar of our purpose, Education for Sustainability (EfS) is integrated into daily life at Unity Charter and is intrinsically woven throughout our curriculum. Multi-disciplinary units and constructivist experiential learning help provide students with an eco-consciousness that spans well beyond the classroom to develop 21st century leaders and change makers.STEAM
Science:
Our Science program applies the FOSS Science curriculum and is supplemented by frequent field trips to county parks, environmental centers, and other locations for hands-on, dynamic learning.
Technology:
Unity provides Chromebooks to every K-8 student for their classes to promote real-life application of skills learned. Teachers are trained as Google Educators, and infuse technology effectively into their lessons.
Engineering:
In our Engineering studies, we introduce students to the engineering design process and principles as defined by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The course also leverages the Teach Engineering digital library, which provides relevant, standards-based curricula from a range of engineering disciplines to bring engineering into the K-8 classroom.
Arts:
At Unity Charter School, our focus on the arts encourages creativity and innovation—two important 21st century leadership skills. Through immersive hands-on projects, such as student-led environmental art or applied design skills for STEM initiatives, our students develop critical thinking and communications skills through our multi-disciplinary arts programs.
Mathematics:
From K-8, we apply the Eureka Mathematics Great Minds program. We put a strong focus on numbers adding up to more than just the right answer. They should inspire aha moments and joyful connections. We set a new standard for rigor, coherence, and focus in the classroom so students gain a deeper understanding of the why behind the numbers, all while making math more enjoyable to learn and teach.
We offer accelerated math programs in both lower school and middle school grades, and all of our students will leave Unity with a full year of learning Algebra I before they graduate.
We partner with two universities, Johns Hopkins and University of Nebraska, to provide our students with even more learning opportunities for advanced high school courses like Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II.
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
This course covers a full-year honors curriculum, aligned with the Common Core State Standards, to prepare students for success in grade 4 mathematics. We’ll start by reviewing grade 2 concepts and applying them to more in-depth problems and larger calculations. As we move on to tackle more complex problems, we will explore computation, expand our vocabulary, and learn to use various applications with an emphasis on reading and problem solving. Each unit includes videos, interactive webpages, graded assessments, and projects to develop your reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
University of Nebraska High School
Pre-Algebra 1 is the first course of a two-semester Pre-Algebra series. The course provides a “bridge” between the skills learned in General Math and those more advanced concepts students will learn in First Year Algebra and Geometry. This course provides an introduction to algebraic expressions and integers, decimals, factors, exponents, fractions, ratios and percentages. The course is designed to build upon what students already know, and provide them the background and readiness for Algebra and Geometry
First Year Algebra 1 is the first semester in a two-semester series of courses. This course will help students understand the meaning of variables and how we use them to represent numbers. In this course, students will learn how to solve many equations and inequalities with one or two variables. They will also learn how to graph equations and come to understand the relationship between a graph and its equation. Most importantly, this course will give students a basic understanding of Algebra — how numbers and variables work together. The goal of this course is to refresh the Algebra skills students already have (even if they may not realize they have them), challenge their minds to learn more difficult material, and build new mathematical knowledge through problem solving.
Geometry 1 is the first of two courses designed to help students develop reasoning skills using geometric terms and processes, concepts of logic, and applied problem solving. Topics covered in this course include patterns, inductive and deductive reasoning, models, points, lines, coordinate planes, parallel lines, measuring angles, basic constructions, reasoning and proofs, parallel and perpendicular lines, congruent triangles, and relationships within triangles. Frequent skill checks and reviews will help ensure that students get the most from this course. This course uses many of the problem solving skills and equations learned in First Year Algebra.
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Language Arts
Reading/Writing:
Reading evaluations using the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) are conducted three times a year, and small group instruction is provided for students who require additional help to achieve grade level proficiency. For Writing, Unity Charter follows the Lucy Calkins Writing Workshop curriculum, where students are encouraged to write creatively, exploring various writing styles with instruction around the writing process. Literature circles are used in all grades levels for cooperative learning.
Social Studies
Our criteria are aligned with the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards, and include the instruction of various units within History, Geography, Social Relationships, Other Cultures and Government. Students will learn about and develop an appreciation and celebration of our planet’s diversity, from people to places, cultivating a deeper connection to the larger community.Student-Initiated Electives & Interest Groups
We support the interests and passions of our Unity Charter School students by offering student-initiated electives and interest groups from K-8.
Electives are an enriching contribution to the Unity learning environment, providing structured opportunities for leadership and collaboration among our middle school students. Electives are self-selected by students and are led by teachers, parents or, occasionally, students. Each child is able to select six electives per year, choosing from over 30 exploratory electives that serve as six-week courses. Example electives include: Kayak Building, Criminology, Public Speaking, History of Punk Rock in NYC, Shark Tank and more.
Our lower grades are also given the opportunity to pursue their interests in multi-age interest groups, held once a week during the school day on a cyclical schedule, with each cycle lasting between four and six weeks. Example interest groups include Nature Detectives, All About Animals, Rhythms & Roots, Sign Language and Strategic Board Games.