Our curriculum is designed to challenge young people who are dedicated to becoming the best they can be. DCLA offers students from Kindergarten through Grade Twelve an opportunity to achieve beyond where they think they can go. We nurture this growth with rigorous academics and teaching methodologies that are based upon current research. DCLA is recognized for its motivated students and successful college preparation.
The Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade program shares a set of established principles, or Goals Across the Curriculum.
The DCLA curriculum strives to:
- Provide a safe and comfortable learning environment for success, while promoting physical and mental well-being
- Develop life long learners
- Offer opportunities to develop moral and ethical citizens and leaders
- Encourage students to be responsible for their own actions
- Engender creative self-expresslon
- Encourage independent and critical thinking
- Teach respect and understanding of individual differences
- Encourage clear and articulate communication in spoken and written form
- Have students understand the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge
- Promote proficiency in technology as a tool for learning
Language Arts Curriculum
The focus of the language arts program is the development of the individual student's growth as a reader, writer, speaker, collaborator and thinker. The program seeks to enhance the student's comprehension, vocabulary, and higher level reasoning skills. Writing becomes a vehicle for introducing spelling and grammar. Additionally, students are introduced to a second language. Spanish is taught through our Virtual Florida School program. We strive to provide students with opportunities to be in touch with our diverse cultural community through a variety of field trips and guest speakers.
Art Curriculum
The art program seeks to enrich student lives by stimulating creativity through a variety of art media. The art curriculum is a hands-on approach to drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking and art history. All students also participate in a general music program.
Math Curriculum
Our math program presents concepts and skills. Problem solving and number relationships are emphasized in addition to memorization. Teachers use concrete manipulatives to help students internalize mathematical concepts. Daily instruction in math is provided.
Physical Education Curriculum
Physical Education is offered to all students. The program offers opportunities for students to learn personal fitness skills,
participate in motor activities, to interact with their social world, and to develop lifetime skills, habits and interests.
Science Curriculum
Our science actively involves exploration, discovery, and understanding the scientific process. In addition to the best elements of a traditional education, students have at their fingertips the powerful tools of the 21st century computer technology, as they compose, research, and problem solve. Students are taught keyboarding, word processing, and spreadsheet construction as an integrated part of the regular curriculum.
Social Studies Curriculum
As children study different types of communities, geography, government, current events, the United States and North American history, our program is designed to motivate students to become appreciative of the history, geography and democratic traditions of our country, and also to help children develop an understanding of themselves as individuals, as members of groups within a society, and as members of the global community.
