Curriculum
PPPCS engages in a practice of a whole-child education. We define whole-child through:
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Academic Excellence - Challenging every child to excel using interdisciplinary, thematic, hands-on instruction that infuses the arts and fosters creativity and critical thinking.
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Wellness - Providing a safe environment to maintain and improve the physical, mental, social, and emotional health of every child and family.
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Identity - Encouraging every child’s identity development through personal growth and an understanding of historical contexts of race, gender, and other expressions of self.
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Love - Cultivating a network of committed, caring individuals and strengthening family and community structures that support healthy interpersonal relationships.
Our thematic interdisciplinary learning model motivates students by engaging them in their own learning. The school’s approach provides opportunities for students to pursue their own interests and make decisions about how they will find answers and solve problems. The curriculum for academic subjects at Patterson Park Public Charter School is supplemented by instruction in art, music, physical education, Spanish, and community service. By incorporating hands on learning into the classrooms we are able to engage auditory, tactile, and social learners alike to strengthen every child’s knowledge. Students are able to demonstrate their understanding and work alongside their peers to reach their educational potential.
PPPCS embraces a cross-circular learning model that incorporates real-world learning experiences with traditional classroom-based instruction. We believe that when subjects are integrated, learning becomes more authentic and engaging, enhancing understanding of the targeted concepts. We see our neighborhoods and Baltimore City as a living classroom, and enhance classroom learning with field trips that utilize Baltimore City’s breadth and depth of cultural, educational, historical, environmental, and scientific institutions.
Ready To Read Act
Patterson Park Public Charter School is committed to literacy development for each child and has set a school-wide goal that 80% of At/Above level students achieve “moderate” growth and below level students achieve “ambitious” growth in literacy. Patterson Park Public Charter School’s literacy program is also in compliance with the State of Maryland’s Ready to Read Act. As such:
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All K-3 students are screened regularly for foundational literacy skills using the STAR Renaissance assessments.
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Parents are notified of their child’s reading progress after each routine assessment.
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All students receive differentiated reading instruction on a daily basis using the EL Curriculum.
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Students who are identified as needing support with reading, receive small group instruction using the Fundations or Just Words curriculum.