Thomas Edison Program Overview
Thomas Edison Charter Schools provide children with a rich educational experience, and parents with a choice of how their children will be educated. While the major objective in public schools is to provide children with an excellent educational experience, we believe the process used to achieve excellence varies widely from school to school. With this in mind, our school is distinctive for many reasons.
The Thomas Edison middle/junior high schools provide a solid educational link between the elementary school and high school. This exploratory time helps students develop wider interests while strengthening core knowledge and skills.
Thomas Edison Charter Schools provide children with a rich educational experience, and parents with a choice of how their children will be educated. While the major objective in public schools is to provide children with an excellent educational experience, we believe the process used to achieve excellence varies widely from school to school. With this in mind, our school is distinctive for many reasons.
- Thomas Edison Charter Schools demonstrate quality in all areas. The Effective Schools Model includes clear and focused mission of high expectations for student achievement, a safe and orderly school environment, strong instructional leadership, high parental involvement, frequent measurement of student progress, staff effectiveness, etc.
- Our program is designed to challenge the intellect, as well as to teach fundamental skills, using the time honored curricula and teaching strategies rather than fad, fashion, and educational innovations. We include an increased emphasis on whole-group direct instruction, daily chalkboard work, dictation, and drill. Programs that fall outside of the curriculum such a sports, social programs and other enhancements may be explored outside of the regular school day as extracurricular events.
- The best way for a student to build a good self-image is through solid academic achievement. We challenge each child to do his or her best and turn in work on time.
- Thomas Edison uses a strong research based language arts and reading program. The Spalding Method (The Writing Road to Reading) is a total language arts approach because it provides explicit, sequential, multisensory instruction in phonics, spelling, handwriting, listening/reading comprehension and writing. Our language arts program also teaches grammar and composition, placing more emphasis on application as students progress.
- Literature study is a standard part of the school's curriculum and includes classical and award-winning books. Such study includes basic applications such as main idea, character, passage structure, literary appreciation, etc.
- Memorization and recitation is a regular part of the school's program. Each student memorizes and recites selections of prose or poetry every six weeks. This program allows students to commit to memory some of the finest selections of literature available. Having this experience with famous authors allows our children to be exposed to standards of excellence both past and present.
- The mathematics curriculum develops several critical habits of mind: clarity of thought, logic skills, abstract thinking, and self-reliance. The program uses oral drill, written practice, mental math, problem solving and stresses memorization of math facts. The program teaches students to be confident in math, providing a continuity of instruction from kindergarten through ninth grade.
- The history/geography curriculum emphasizes patriotism and fundamental concepts regarding community, state and country. Students relate historical events to our modern world and memorize important geographical and historical data.
- Students receive a well-rounded education, including exposure to art, music, physical education and technology. These programs support and enhance the school's principles, providing students with opportunities to expand their skills.
- We focus on high expectations. Classrooms are balanced to encourage accountability, but we teach to a higher standard that we expect all students to achieve. Effective time management is critical to the success of our program, and we value every moment.
- Regular homework is given. This serves three purposes: (1) it helps students develop a personal responsibility; (2) provides students with independent drill and practice; and (3) it informs parents about what is being taught.
- Students are expected to learn and practice proper penmanship. Neatness and legibility of penmanship are stressed through daily drill and practice. The Spalding handwriting program is taught in grades K-5, and used through 8th grade. Cursive writing is introduced in second grade.
- Thomas Edison Charter Schools foster close relationships between teachers and parents. Parent involvement in the development and implementation of the school program is critical. Parents are actively involved in the Parent Organization and volunteer programs and they learn how to help at home and recognize their children's academic accomplishments.
- Mutual respect is to key to behavior at Thomas Edison Charter Schools. Children come to our schools to gain a solid foundation in those academic areas that are crucial to be thinking adults in today's society.
- Students are assessed regularly to measure student growth and to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching methods. We follow all testing requirements described by Utah Performance Assessment System for Students (UPASS). Accountability is expected. Examinations, grading, and reports are essential so that each student may come to know his or her own strengths and limitations. Report cards are issued every six weeks.
The Thomas Edison middle/junior high schools provide a solid educational link between the elementary school and high school. This exploratory time helps students develop wider interests while strengthening core knowledge and skills.