EDUCATION GUIDELINES and TOOLS 

Highpoint's educational philosophies is for teachers to focus on addressing the individual needs of each child, including their strengths and weaknesses.  Highpoint teachers enjoy the freedom of being able to pace their teaching based on the progress made by the majority of their students. Teachers are given the creative space needed in order to be able to diversify instruction. That flexibility allows teachers to individualize instruction without sacrificing content. 

• We utilize the Savvas Learning Company (formerly Pearson K-12 Learning) and Savvas Realize interactive Curriculum for Grades K to 8. These provide rich and engaging content, embedded assessment with instant data, and flexible classroom management tools.  Realize gives Teachers the power to raise interest and achievement for every student..
• The Frog Street Bilingual Curriculum is utilized for Toddlers thru VPK. Frog Street Pre-K is a comprehensive, research-based program that integrates instruction across developmental domains and early learning disciplines. Engaging and easy to use for both teachers and children.

Our providers for online courses are authorized to operate in all states, including Florida. All lessons are connected to a Florida Standard and objectives are classified with Bloom’s Taxonomy. Teachers depend on the program for guidance and resource materials. Though they are encouraged to be creative and individualize instruction as needed, the program is the primary resource by which teachers plan and provide high quality and relevant instruction to their students.

During every child's pre-school, elementary and middle school years, it is imperative that they be challenged academically so they can be prepared for the future. Our teachers are dedicated to giving every child the opportunity to be the best that they can be academically, socially and emotionally. The curriculum is unique in that it is student-centered. Curriculum goals are set not only for each grade, but for each individual student as well. It is implemented in a way that all necessary benchmarks students need for academic success are attained without the depersonalization that may be found in larger, less personal, institutions.

Every classroom in Pre-School and Elementary has an interactive SmartBoard and all Middle School classrooms are equipped with a ClearTouch interactive board. Both are designed to be used interactively, display images and show videos, as well as to be used as a board/computer screen for instruction. Digital resources that serve to enhance instruction are prioritized and provided to all Teachers and Students.

We use Showbie, Class Dojo, Exploros, IXL, KoolGround and Zoom as some of our learning and communication tools. These programs and applications serve to enhance the teaching and learning process. All Administrators and Teachers were upgraded to iMacs several years ago to improve compatibility across platforms. Teachers use these devices to play instructional videos from the internet or curriculum program as well as to project their virtual classes. Currently, due to some on-campus classes remaining “Virtual”, teachers use the SmartBoard or ClearTouch panel as a giant iPad where the teacher’s Zoom screen is displayed on the board in the front of the class and students are linked to the class through Zoom as a participant. Another use is when teachers have to teach one class virtually through Zoom and the on-campus students physically are attending a different class that's being projected on the large screen/board. Essentially, there are two classes taking place in the same classroom. That would not be possible without this technology.

The majority of student textbooks are digital and purchased by Parents as interactive iPad compatible books. We supplement our Curriculum by using numerous educational tools that motivate students and stimulate their different styles of learning. These include:​

• STEAM Research-based programs and Robotics; STEAM activities to promote problem solving, creative and analytical thinking (i.e. engineering projects)
• IXL Learning Applications
• Showbie for HW and Quizzes
• Spelling City
• Interactive books on iPad ​
• Using sensory bins to calm, focus or engage a child as well as to improve fine motor skills.
• "Organic Gardening" Class (volunteer teacher from FIU’s Agro-ecology Department) to enhance the learning of how different foods are grown, harvested, and prepared to provide nourishment.
• Bi-weekly visits from Miami Dade’s Public Library’s “Mobile Library Bus” for students in VPK thru 3rd Grade.

Students’ cognitive development varies from child to child, but in general, cognitive growth is most critical during a student’s early years (Pre-School and Lower Elementary). Teachers across all grade levels, but specifically VPK thru 3rd Grade, focus on not just “what” students are learning, but “how” they learn in order to meet their needs during lesson planning and instruction. Students are encouraged from a very young age to pay attention to the world around them and to ask questions.  Some of the ways that teachers emphasize and acknowledge their students cognitive development in the classroom include:

• Plan lessons focused on objectives that help students develop strong critical thinking skills (i.e. logic and reasoning, practices to enhance memory/working memory, attention/focus, self-control, analyzing skills, making comparisons, understanding cause and effect, and more).
• Set routines and keep room set-up predictable to help with organization and memory.
• Limit distractions and interruptions as often as possible to help students remain focused and attentive.
• Teach strategies to get  students back on task using non-verbal cues (i.e. hand signal; soft bell ring).
• Observe students interests and activities they enjoy and make connections during lessons and activities.
• Provide opportunities for students to go outside and explore their environment.​

Our programs encourage our students to become avid readers, writers, thinkers and enquirers. Students are encouraged to analyze real world problems, apply data, evaluate results and learn to communicate their understanding to others.  

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