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Lower and Upper Schools

Our curriculum is comprised of resources developed and/or selected as Hillsdale’s K-12 curriculum, as well as additional resources, providing a solid foundation for teachers to equip students with knowledge, wisdom, virtue, and joy taught from a distinctive biblical worldview.

Built upon Biblical foundations, our program is developed with an emphasis on classical education.

The curriculum selected is vital to our classical, Christian liberal arts and sciences approach with the purpose of not only forming our students’ minds – but also forming their souls – aiming them to pursue His truth, do His good and seek out His beauty in all things and in all people. 
 
Students develop into young men and young women who understand their value as human beings created by God for His glory. They also develop a clear understanding and appreciation for our country and the Christian principles upon which it was founded so they can live as responsible citizens of this nation, and ultimately as citizens of the kingdom of God.

In our vibrant Lower School classrooms, students interact through engaging learning centers. Our Upper School rooms are subject-specific and are designed to cultivate an environment of learning consistent with our philosophy.

Curriculum

Bible

John 1:1-2 states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God…and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

In our Bible course, faculty partners with parents to introduce children to God and His Word. The first goal is to bring God’s Word to life as we teach children about God’s grace for salvation and daily living. The second goal is to use His Word to disciple and teach them how to apply this Truth to their lives as they seek to glorify God.

Scripture memory and application is a vital part of our program. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). We desire to cultivate an insatiable desire in our students to use their lives to impact the Kingdom and glorify their Heavenly Father.

Lower School:

  • Grades K–2: ACSI – Purposeful Design

  • Grades 3–5: Positive Action for Christ

Upper School:

  • Grade 6: The Christian Worldview - Summit Ministries

  • Grade 7: Competing Worldviews - Summit Ministries

  • Grade 8: Christianity in Action - Summit Ministries

  • Grade 9: Understanding the Faith - Summit Ministries

  • Grade 10: Understanding the Culture - Summit Ministries

  • Grade 11: Understanding the Times - Summit Ministries

  • Grade 12: Moral Choices - Scott B. Rae

  • Teacher Created Units (All)

Science

In our science classes, hands-on experiments and activities engage students as they discover God’s creation. Students study science with the knowledge of God, which is contrary to how the culture of the world views science. Our teachers seek to help students learn how to use His wisdom and discernment to expose the false information that the world teaches and reinforce the Truth of creation and the Creator found in God’s Word. As students learn more about God’s world, they develop a deep appreciation and respect for Him and His creation.

In the Upper School, we more thoroughly introduce students to focused studies on Earth science (6th), life science (7th), physical science (8th), biology (9th), and chemistry (10th).  Developing a deeper understanding of these specific sciences sets the stage for students to be challenged to think scientifically and logically as they investigate God’s world.

Lower School: 

  • Grades K–5: Interactive Science (Pearson)

Upper School: 

  • Grades 6-8: Hillsdale K-12 Curriculum Framework

  • Grade 9: Biology - Hillsdale K-12 Curriculum Framework

  • Grade 10: Chemistry - Hillsdale K-12 Curriculum Framework

  • Grade 11: AP Anatomy & Physiology - Hillsdale K-12 Curriculum Framework

  • Grade 12: Physics - Hillsdale K-12 Curriculum Framework

  • Teacher Created Units

Mathematics

In mathematics, students learn about God’s character and attributes. God’s Truth is absolute. Take for instance John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’” His absolutes, principles, and sense of order are found throughout the study of mathematics.

From Kindergarten through fifth grade, students build upon their mathematic skills so they can use these skills in everyday life. After students learn basic math computation skills, they are introduced to ways to utilize technology to find mathematical solutions.

In Upper School, courses are designed to provide the foundation for more advanced courses in mathematics and to develop problem-solving skills.  As they matriculate through Upper School, students will continue to study mathematics though Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus.

Lower School: 

  • Dimensions - Singapore Math

Upper School: 

  • Grade 6: Dimensions Honors / Dimensions - Singapore Math

  • Grade 7:

    • Pre-Algebra Honors: Abeka

    • General 7th Grade Math: Dimensions - Singapore Math

  • Grade 8:

    • Pre- Algebra: Abeka

    • Algebra I Honors / Algebra I: Abeka

  • Grade 9:

    • Geometry Honors / Geometry: Abeka

    • Algebra I: Abeka

  • Grade 10:

    • Algebra II Honors / Algebra II: McGraw-Hill

    • Geometry: Abeka

  • Grade 11:

    • Trigonometry / Analytics: Pearson

    • Algebra II: McGraw-Hill

  • Grade 12:

    • Calculus I Honors: Hillsdale K-12 Curriculum

    • Pre-Calculus: McGraw-Hill

  • Teacher Created Units

English Language Arts

We utilize God’s Word in conjunction with classic literary works to foster a love and appreciation for the written and spoken word in connection with His Word. Our language arts program, which includes reading, writing, and literary appreciation, provides opportunities for students to think Biblically by taking every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Those components are instrumental in preparing our students to become confident and competent readers. Our program includes listening, speaking, reading, and writing. We start by reading various genres of literature to our students, with a focus on classical literature. Students learn to appreciate the great classical works and are more inclined to select well-written literature for themselves as they develop into lifelong readers.  By Upper School, students are reading Great Works and writing essays in response to those texts.

Lower School: 

  • Hillsdale K-12 Curriculum

  • Classical Literature

  • Literacy Essentials

  • Memoria Press

  • Readers and Writer’s Workshop

  • Units of Study

Upper School:

  • Hillsdale K-12 Curriculum

  • Classical Literature

  • Memoria Press

  • Well-Ordered Language

  • Institute for Excellence in Writing

  • Teacher Designed Units

History

This program provides our students with the knowledge and tools necessary to view history through a Biblical lens. It is our desire that God’s touch is evident in every piece of history. We foster a heart of gratitude for the men and women He chooses to use throughout history to do His will. At the heart is our desire to equip students with the knowledge of our history and God’s blessings and provisions through it all.

In Upper School, we examine history on a timeline integrating geography, economics, and government throughout.

Lower School:

  • Hillsdale K-12 History Curriculum

  • Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

  • Teacher Developed Units

Upper School:

  • Hillsdale K-12 History Curriculum

  • Never Before in History

  • Memoria Press

  • Teacher Developed Units

The purpose is not only forming our students’ minds – but also forming their souls – aiming them  to pursue His truth, do His good, and seek out His beauty in all things and in all people.