Curriculum

As one of the top Jacksonville private schools, Beaches Episcopal School (BES) has built strong reputation in the area of academics. We have found students are well-prepared as they leave for middle school. Our curriculum is continually being assessed and updated at all grade levels. The faculty is a team of experienced and dedicated teachers who are enthusiastic about their subject areas, their students and teaching. BES teachers help lead the children to seek out answers for themselves so that they become self-motivated learners. They identify students' individual aptitudes and interests, and use them as a springboard to help the child achieve success in other areas. BES teachers work together to help students make connections across disciplines. A concept or theme explored in science might be taken up in library, expressed in music or discussed in chapel. Children are encouraged to relate what they are studying to the world so that learning continues outside of the classroom and into life.

Language Arts
Language Arts in pre-kindergarten through third grade emphasizes a strong phonics base mixed with an engaging, age-appropriate literature component that is found in the Harcourt Storytown 2008 series. Fourth through sixth grade use a novel-based curriculum supported by the Accelerated Reader program, Wordly Wise, and the SRA/Barnell-Loft Specific Skills Series. All second through sixth grade students enjoy the Shurley English jingle-based program to strengthen their grammar skills in a fun and exciting way.

Mathematics
Beaches Episcopal School has one of the top mathematics programs among Jacksonville private schools. Mathematics is a combination of basic skills and problem solving strategies found in the MacMillan/McGraw-Hill series. Pre-kindergarten through sixth grade use this very comprehensive program along with many supplements, like math journaling, to provide a truly challenging curriculum. The use of Accelerated Math as a supplement for first through sixth grade, allows us to continue to challenge all students according to their individual ability level.

Science
In Science, the Scott Foresman Science 2007 program is a perfect fit for kindergarten through sixth grade students. Its hands-on approach to questions and discovery has renewed the interest of our young scientists in a time when many schools are de-emphasizing science in the classroom.

Social Studies
Social Studies at Beaches Episcopal School is as diverse as the subject matter. In kindergarten, it is included within the literature component of the Language Arts program.  First through sixth grade use the highly interactive, cooperative learning-based Social Studies Alive!/History Alive! program. Fourth through sixth grade use the History of U.S. series as a supplement to their United States history studies, and sixth grade enhances its hands-on approach to ancient history with the Prentice Hall World Explorers series.

Enrichments
One of the advantages a private elementary school like Beaches Episcopal can offer is a rich enrichment program. BES offers a full selection of eight enrichment subjects that enhance the education and development of our students. Children at all grade levels get to enjoy at least one Music, Spanish, Christian Education, Physical Education, Movement, Kinese, Computer, Art and Library class per week. These areas are extremely important as we teach to the whole child.