CURRICULUM

The curriculum of University Preparatory Academy has been designed to align with the Michigan Department of Education's Curriculum Framework and ACT College Readiness Standards. UPA staff have also identified Power Standards for each grade level in each core curriculum area. These are the subset of concepts and skills deemed to be most critical in establishing the foundation students need to progress from grade to grade. Curriculum programs and materials have been selected by UPA's staff to promote achievement of State standards, to most effectively engage students, and to provide as much authentic learning as possible. Copies of the curriculum and Power Standards are available at each school office.

UPA Elementary Schools use the Balanced Literacy approach to teaching reading and writing, developed by nationally recognized researchers Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell. This approach combines many elements of literacy development, including phonics, comprehension, thinking about reading and writing, talking about reading and writing, and writing about reading and writing to produce highly capable readers and writers. The Everyday Math Program, a nationally recognized research-based program developed at the University of Chicago, is used in mathematics. Science is taught using the Battle Creek Science units, and Social Studies is taught using Social Studies Alive. All of these programs use real-life problems, issues, and materials.

UPA Middle School uses Fountas and Pinnell's Balanced Literacy model as the foundation for their integrated English Language Arts and Social Studies curriculum. Math is taught using the Connected Mathematics Program, a nationally recognized research-based Middle School mathematics program developed at Michigan State University. Science is taught using a combination of hands-on programs. The 6th grade is using Science Education for Public Understanding, developed at Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley, and the 7th and 8th grades use IQWEST, a research-based program in development by the University of Michigan.

UPA High School uses units of study from the Michigan Department of Education as the foundation for its integrated English Language Arts and Social Studies curriculum. Key curriculum methods are used to teach Mathematics. Science is taught using a variety of programs, each selected for its particular strengths for the course content and skills.