Excellence in Education coming to Savannah

In May of 2008, a core group of parents, teachers, and community members with a strong desire to provide the same stellar public education to the inner city that they had found available in specialty programs within the district, began discussions about the best way to serve these most needy students. Seeing that many parents of economically disadvantaged students were not taking advantage of specialty programs, there began a desire to bring such a program to those students.

As a TeamCFA school, Savannah Classical Academy; A Challenge Foundation Academy (SCA-CFA) will provide students a rigorous classical, liberal arts education that includes a strong emphasis on civics to equip students to understand and uphold America's founding principles. Unique to its approach is the combining of the classical, liberal arts tradition with cutting-edge, researched-based programs, each of which involves an organized and sequential continuum of learning.

To accomplish its mission, SCA-CFA will ground education in the humanities, the sciences, and the arts in several current and research-based curricula/programs in the elementary and middle schools. These include: the Core Knowledge Sequence—a specific, grade-by-grade core curriculum of common learning; a multi-sensory, brain-based approach for teaching “explicit” phonics, reading and language arts; a conceptual approach to mathematical skill building and problem solving through a rigorous math program; and a hands-on approach to scientific inquiry with emphasis on fundamentals. In the high school, students will receive a classical liberal arts education that aligns with but exceeds Common Core Georgia Performance Standards.

An experiential learning environment and Socratic based discussions in the classroom supported by technology will create an environment for students to question assumptions as they think critically. Also, the visual and performing arts are an integral part of a truly complete education program. The arts are part of and not an addendum to the curriculum. The school will also offer expanded before and after school programs, as well as learning opportunities for the entire family.

TeamCFA is a growing national network of public charter schools dedicated to the mission of student achievement, academic excellence and measurable results.

TeamCFA students are taught to:

• Become confident and capable learners
• Gain the essential skills needed to compete in an increasingly competitive world
• Build character to make choices that result in a better life for themselves and others
• Develop the confidence to realize their full potential
• Be positive additions to civil society and thoughtful contributors to a brighter future
• For more information go to www.teamcfa.org

Classical Education/Core Knowledge Curriculum

SCA-CFA's K–8 program combines Classical Education with the Core Knowledge curriculum. The Core Knowledge Sequence is a detailed outline of specific content to be taught in language arts, history, geography, mathematics, science, and fine arts. Other areas of study, such as local and state history, can be integrated into the curriculum.

The Core Knowledge Sequence eliminates many of the gaps and unnecessary repetitions that can characterize a curriculum in which materials are chosen at random. This research-based curriculum offers a coherent plan that easily integrates state standards while providing the flexibility to meet local needs. For more information go to www.coreknowledge.org

Classical Education has a history of over 2500 years in the West, and was thriving at the time of our nation's founding.

Classical Education:

• Values knowledge for its own sake;
• Upholds the standards of correctness, logic, beauty, and importance intrinsic to the liberal arts;
• Demands moral virtue of its adherents; and
• Prepares human beings to assume their places as responsible citizens in the political order.

In the high school, students will receive a classical liberal arts education that aligns with but exceeds Common Core Georgia Performance Standards. Students will study all subjects—literature and language, rhetoric, math, history, civics, the sciences, music and art—through sound, time-proven methods. As in the lower grades, the curriculum will be rigorous. Seniors will be required to compose and defend a senior thesis as a capstone to their academic experience at SCA-CFA.

Students at all levels will be trained in Socratic seminars to encourage intelligent, logical, and independent thinking.

SCA-CFA is a tuition-free public charter school open to all Georgia students. The K–8 curriculum combines Classical Education with the Core Knowledge Sequence, a detailed outline of specific content to be taught in language arts, history, geography, mathematics, science and fine arts. The Core Knowledge program will offer a rigorous curriculum that prepares students for a lifetime of critical thinking, self-motivated learning and active citizenship. The high school curriculum includes a classical liberal arts education composed of literature and language, rhetoric, math, history, civics, the sciences, music, and art—all taught using sound, time-proven methods.

• Safe, supportive learning environment
• Rigorous content-based curriculum aligned to Georgia state standards
• Students take nationally recognized standardized exams
• Curriculum proven to increase learning
• Focused approach to developing critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
• Teacher-led instruction that includes exploration and hands-on learning
• A well-rounded education that includes extracurricular activities such as art, drama, music, and sports
• Student/teacher/parent partnership in quality education