Upper School Curriculum
Summit Learning is a research–based approach to education designed to drive student engagement, meaningful learning, and strong student–teacher relationships that prepare students for life after graduation. The Summit Learning Program offers schools a customizable curriculum and a range of educational resources and technology tools. With Summit Learning, students gain mastery of core subjects which include Math, History, English, and Science, while also carefully developing the skills and habits of lifelong learners.
Students in Upper School also begin taking electives. They have the opportunity to choose from a slate of courses that might be of interest to them, in addition to their core academic courses. Our Upper School students are the leaders in our school. They represent and serve the student body and the SAE community in various capacities through entrepreneurship, leadership, and/or community service activities.
5th Grade Curriculum Overview
English Language Arts
- Theme/Central Idea
- Selection of evidence
- Integration of evidence
- Contributing to evidence-based discussions
- Making connections and inferences
- Communicating accurately and precisely
- Narrative
- Organization (transitions, cohesion, structure)
- Informational/Explanatory Thesis
- Oral Presentation
Math
- Place value and decimal operations
- Whole number multiplication and division
- Fraction multiplication and division
- Measurement conversions and fraction operations
- Volume
- Geometry and coordinate plane
Science
- Daily and seasonal patterns
- Gravity
- Matter
- Photosynthesis
Non-Fiction Studies
- The Revolutionary War
- Economics
- Civics and Citizenship
- Geography
Spanish
- Intermediate Spanish vocabulary
- Composing Sentences
- Culture Talks
- Simple conversations
- Reading and Writing
Enrichments
- Music
- PE
- Performing Arts
- Martial Arts
- Visual Arts
6th Grade Curriculum Overview
English Language Arts
- Argumentative Writing
- Writing for a target audience
- Point of View
- Themes and central ideas of stories
- Plot
- Figurative language
Math
- Arithmetic in Base 10
- Rational Numbers
- Ratios
- Unit Rates and Percentages
- Dividing Fractions
- Expressions and equations
- Area and surface area
Science
- The structure of life
- Conservation of energy
- Water and Earth
- Weather and Climate
- Global Climate Change
Non-Fiction Studies
- Ancient Civilizations in Egypt
- Ancient Civilizations in Greece
- Ancient Indian Civilization
- Civilizations in Dynastic China
- Ancient Republic of Rome
Spanish
- Intermediate Spanish vocabulary
- Composing Sentences
- Culture Talks
- Simple conversations
- Reading and Writing
Enrichments
- Music
- PE
- Performing Arts
- Martial Arts
- Visual Arts
7th Grade Curriculum Overview
English Language Arts
- Theme/Central Idea
- Selection of evidence
- Integration of evidence
- Contributing to evidence-based discussions
- Making connections and inferences
- Communicating accurately and precisely
- Narrative
- Organization (transitions, cohesion, structure)
- Informational/Explanatory Thesis
- Oral Presentation
Math
- Place value and decimal operations
- Whole number multiplication and division
- Fraction multiplication and division
- Measurement conversions and fraction operations
- Volume
- Geometry and coordinate plane
Science
- Daily and seasonal patterns
- Gravity
- Matter
- Photosynthesis
Non-Fiction Studies
- The Revolutionary War
- Economics
- Civics and Citizenship
- Geography
Spanish (Daily)
- Intermediate Spanish vocabulary
- Composing Sentences
- Culture Talks
- Simple conversations
- Reading and Writing
Enrichments
- Music
- PE
- Performing Arts
- Martial Arts
- Visual Arts
8th Grade Curriculum Overview
English Language Arts
- Essay Structures
- Defending Theories
- Poetry
- Organizing and editing writing
- Figurative Language
Math (Algebra 1)
- Linear equations, inequalities and systems
- Functions
- Quadratic Functions
- Exponential Functions
- One-Variable Statistics
Science
- Forces and Motion
- Energy
- Earth and the Solar System
- The Universe and Stars
- Types of Forces
- History of Life
- Reproduction
- Natural Selection
- Adaptation
- Electromagnetic Radiation
Non-Fiction Studies
- Revolutionary America
- Early American Geography
- Brown vs. Board of Education
- US Constitution
- Civic Participation
Spanish (Daily)
- Intermediate Spanish vocabulary
- Composing Sentences
- Culture Talks
- Simple conversations
- Reading and Writing
Enrichments
- Music
- PE
- Performing Arts
- Martial Arts
- Visual Arts
