The Lower School at the academy provides a vibrant and caring setting where students from Kindergarten through 5th grade are inspired to explore, develop, and thrive. Our carefully crafted curriculum highlights the value of problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking across diverse contexts. Our committed faculty fosters a secure and encouraging environment, enabling students to expand their intellectual horizons, embrace suitable challenges, and evolve into self-assured, skilled learners.
Real content fosters a natural love for learning and thinking. Students learn about historical events, characters, stories, fables, myths, scientific facts, and mathematical proofs. They read whole books in great depth, and learn to approach books both with motivation to learn and courage to question. This helps to sustain the best kind of conversation and elevate the tenor of our common life.
We agree with Aristotle that one becomes good only by observing and practicing right behavior. Discipline, ethics, and personal responsibility will be modeled and expected. Students will be introduced to the virtuous behavior of timeless heroes and heroines of literature and history. Moreover, the school will define a standard of behavior using Seven Pillars of Virtue (courage, courtesy, honesty, perseverance, self-government, service and responsibility).
The Founders of our country believed the purpose of education was to prepare students to become virtuous people and good citizens. In alignment with that vision, we nurture academic achievement, personal discipline, ethics, and responsibility. Students will graduate as highly literate, responsible, ethical citizens who are well-prepared to advance into any life endeavor, to inspire others, and to articulate and uphold our Nation’s founding principles.
We agree with Aristotle that one becomes good only by observing and practicing right behavior. Discipline, ethics, and personal responsibility will be modeled and expected. Students will be introduced to the virtuous behavior of timeless heroes and heroines of literature and history. Moreover, the school will define a standard of behavior using Seven Pillars of Virtue (courage, courtesy, honesty, perseverance, self-government, service and responsibility).
Lower School Curriculum
Children are curious about the natural world and the society in which they live. They have a natural love for stories, songs, and art. Our curriculum builds on these natural aptitudes and feeds this natural hunger by providing students with the information they need to be culturally literate.
Reading, Literacy, and Phonics
Children begin by learning the foundations of the English language, advance to the writing of concise and grammatically correct sentences, and finally begin to write paragraphs and essays.
Singapore Math
Singapore Math is a cohesive, deep, and focused mathematics curriculum, for Kindergarten through Seventh Grade, with the goal of developing algebraic thinking.
Third Grade:
Language Arts:
Students will use Great Books focused on the Renaissance and Reformation time periods as the base for integrated experiences with reading fluency, comprehension, speaking, listening, and writing. Students will also engage in rigorous grammar development using mentor texts.
Mathematics:
Golden Path Academy will utilize the Singapore Math Dimensions curriculum which prioritizes the use of manipulatives, hands-on learning, and a progression from concrete to abstract (i.e., from a physical/demonstrable understanding of concepts to an applied, written application). The course builds foundational number sense and logic skills.
Science
Students will learn about the form and classification of living things, and about the systems they rely on to survive. They will also investigate the physical properties of the universe.
Social Studies
Students will learn about geography and how physical environments shaped history. Also, students will begin to understand the foundations of American political structure and participation.
Art
Students learn to recognize and interpret specific elements of music, apply their knowledge to forming technique, and finally to connect the subject of music to others across the curriculum in meaningful ways.
Fourth Grade:
Language Arts:
Students will use Great Books focused on a contemporary time period as the base for integrated experiences with reading fluency, comprehension, speaking, listening, and writing. Students will also utilize mentor texts to reinforce their grammar understanding and application.
Mathematics:
Students will learn about place value, begin to solve problems involving time and money, learn about angles, and begin to work with fractions and whole numbers together.
Science
Students will learn about the systems that keep living things healthy and active, and discover the properties of the earth that shape the landscape and the power of electricity!
Social Studies
Students will learn the history of Florida, from Pre-Columbian exploration through the 21st century.
Art
Students learn to recognize and interpret specific elements of music, apply their knowledge to forming technique, and finally to connect the subject of music to others across the curriculum in meaningful ways.
Fifth Grade:
Language Arts:
Students will use Great Books focused on a contemporary time period as the base for integrated experiences with reading fluency, comprehension, speaking, listening, and writing. Students will also utilize mentor texts to reinforce their grammar understanding and application.
Mathematics:
Students will learn about equivalent numbers, begin to solve problems involving unit conversions and money, learn to classify shapes and measure perimeter, and begin to solve complex problems involving fractions.
Science
Students will learn about energy, how living things use and rely upon it, and about the interdependence of living things in ecosystems.
Social Studies
Students will dive into American history, from pre-Columbian exploration through westward expansion, with a special look into the beginnings of a market economy in the US.
Art
Students learn to recognize and interpret specific elements of music, apply their knowledge to forming technique, and finally to connect the subject of music to others across the curriculum in meaningful ways.
Electives:
Foreign Language: Spanish
This engaging course introduces students to the Spanish language through interactive lessons in vocabulary, grammar, conversation, and culture. With a focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing, students will build confidence in using Spanish in everyday situations. Cultural exploration of Spanish-speaking countries enriches the learning experience and helps students appreciate global diversity.
Cursive
In this course, students will learn the art of cursive handwriting, focusing on proper letter formation, spacing, and fluidity. Through practice and repetition, students will improve their penmanship, develop fine motor skills, and gain an appreciation for this timeless writing style. Emphasis is placed on legibility, consistency, and the ability to write full words and sentences in cursive.
Physical Education
This active course promotes physical fitness, coordination, teamwork, and healthy lifestyle habits. Students will participate in a variety of games, sports, and physical challenges designed to build strength, endurance, flexibility, and sportsmanship. Lessons incorporate movement skills, safety, and age-appropriate health education to support overall wellness.
Social Skills
This course fosters essential interpersonal skills through cooperative activities, role-playing, and guided discussions. Students will learn how to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, express empathy, and build positive relationships with peers. Social-emotional learning is woven throughout to encourage self-awareness, respect, and responsible decision-making.
Critical Thinking
Designed to sharpen reasoning and problem-solving skills, this course challenges students to think deeply and creatively. Through puzzles, logic games, inquiry-based projects, and open-ended questions, students will learn how to evaluate evidence, make informed decisions, and articulate their ideas clearly. The goal is to build confident thinkers who enjoy exploring new ideas and tackling complex challenges.