Curriculum

The John F. Kennedy School is an educational institution and as such must be open to new ideas that address the dimensions of learning.

Much current information about how students learn recognizes the advantage of addressing various styles of teaching and learning including: what constitutes an effective curriculum, what addresses the multiple intelligences within the student population, and what common practices enhance this learning.

As students move through the process of recognizing their attitudes and perceptions, acquiring and integrating new knowledge, extending and refining that knowledge, using that knowledge meaningfully, and developing habits of mind, we must provide a variety of experiences which support this process. Collaboration can be an effective method in supporting this effort, and at the same time sharing within the educational community.

To this end, the school is supporting projects that make use of students working with each other as tutors in a variety of teaching/learning environments across grade levels.

This service to their educational community can engender in students a sense of purpose, a vehicle for discovering talents that can be shared.

Assessment and Evaluation

Assessment and evaluation are the ways in which we know that students are acquiring new knowledge and performing new skills. In the JFK Elementary School, we have a balanced way of looking at student performance that recognizes high standards, and allows students to show their abilities in different ways.

What does this mean?
It means that students have traditional grades from 0-100.
It means that students take tests and quizzes with pencil and paper measuring their knowledge of what they have recently studied.
It means that students take annual Standardized Tests that compare their results to students at the JFK, and students in the United States of America.
It means that students have homework and classwork that is sometimes part of the grading process.
It means that students demonstrate their knowledge by giving performances such as speeches, plays, skits, etc.
It means that students are graded on how well they actually read and write, and that teachers often use rubrics to grade this work.
It means that students are expected to meet or exceed grade level benchmarks at the end of the school year.
It means that students are often evaluated by being observed by their teachers in the process of learning.
It means that students add pieces to a portfolio that shows growth over time.

In the JFK Elementary School, we combine the best practice from recent research with traditional forms of evaluation that help us monitor how well students are learning against the grade level standard, and against themselves. We celebrate students’ different intelligences and learning styles by utilizing a varied evaluation process.

For more information about Standardized Tests, click here.

Special Classes

Music

JFK is proud to offer a high quality music program that nurtures students’ musical intelligence, as part of educating the whole child. Music connects us with our own bodies, feelings, and thoughts. It enables all sorts of connections between people and ideas. Most of all, it brings a smile to the faces of our students.

Art

JFK is proud to offer a high quality art program that nurtures students’ artistic and kinesthetic intelligences, as part of educating the whole child.

Physical Education

JFK is proud to offer a high quality Physical Education program that allows students to develop psycho-motor skills. We realize that a healthy, sound body leads to a healthy, sound mind.

Technology

JFK is proud to offer a high quality technology program that gives students the tools to perform in the 21st century.

Media Skills

JFK is proud to offer a high quality Media center that allows students to develop their research and media skills. As information increases exponentially, students who learn how to learn, and who know how to access information are best equipped for the demands of the 21st century.

Science Laboratory / Greenhouse

JFK is proud to offer “hands-on” scientific learning that complements the regular science curriculum. Students use the science lab and greenhouse to experience real life applications of scientific concepts.