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Wow! We are in full swing for planning for next school year. We have many exciting changes in store for ODCS. In fact, changes have already started this semester. As you read this list, you may find yourself asking why we would undertake so much change in one year. Our motivation for these changes comes from the truth of God’s Word found in Mark 12:30-31. When asked what is the greatest commandment, Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is like it. Love your neighbor as yourself.” Just as our spiritual journey to become more like Christ is one of constant growth, our journey as a school continually strives to better equip our students to grow and positively impact our culture for Christ. What has NOT changed is our complete commitment to teach students with a Christ-centered perspective, and to disciple students in their relationship with the Lord. I am excited to share these many new opportunities for our students with you!
What’s already happening:
- Accelerated Reader (AR) is now online and available starting in kindergarten!
We have expanded our number of available AR quizzes from 8,000 to over 130,000. Further, AR reports for individual students are available for parents to view. Students in kindergarten through sixth grade will have access to the AR program while still in their classrooms, making it much easier for students to complete their book quizzes. We have also increased access to the Star Literacy Test, allowing for more frequent assessment of student reading levels and better diagnosis of any concerns. Parents have access to these assessment results to help you monitor your student’s progress. In the near future, we will provide a searchable online list of all book titles in our library to let you know which books our library staff have screened and approved as appropriate for students.
- The K – 2 math curriculum is upgrading to Math Connects!
Our previous curriculum satisfied the Ohio state standards, but we determined that our students would be better served by a more rigorous program to better prepare them for upper elementary math classes and beyond. We purchased the 2nd grade Math Connects textbooks (the same program currently in use in grades 3 – 6), which exceeds the Ohio standards. For the rest of this year, we have moved the previous 2nd grade material into 1st grade and the 1st grade material to kindergarten. Next year, we will adopt the Math Connects curriculum in both kindergarten and 1st grade.
- Students in 5th and 6th grade have more opportunities in the performing arts!
All students in these grades now are part of choir weekly. We are excited for the opportunity these students will have to work with Mrs. Watkins in addition to the many who are also taking band with Mr. Clark.
- Students in 5th grade have an increased emphasis on project-based learning!
We have eliminated the open study hall time in 5th grade and replaced it with a project-based learning time. This change both increases the academic learning time for our 5th graders and also begins preparing them for the type of work they will do on their eventual senior projects.
What’s coming next year:
- We are updating our high school graduation requirements!
We now offer a PE equivalency waiver. Students in high school may satisfy their two semester requirement in PE by either taking PE as a class or by participating through ODCS in two seasons of sports or two years of marching band or cheerleading. By state policy, students must satisfy the requirement either entirely through coursework or entirely through activities. They cannot mix and match. We have also eliminated the specific computer course requirement as well as our speech requirement. A review of our course offerings made it clear that these skills were integrated into other classes in the school already. These changes will allow our students greater flexibility in choosing their classes, and students will be better able to complete advanced coursework as a result. Please note that these changes do not reduce the total number of credits required to graduate (24.5), and students who have already taken these courses will be able to use the credit towards their required elective total.
- Two new AP classes are coming!
AP English Language (for our juniors) and AP Biology join AP US History, AP Calculus AB and AP English Literature to expand our AP course offerings to five, with plans to grow this list even more in future years. We are also exploring the opportunity to offer PSEO classes taught by our teachers on our campus for our students. To further increase flexibility and access to advanced coursework, we are examining multiple online course opportunities as well. These changes will give students some incredible opportunities to stretch themselves academically and become even more prepared for college success.
- Multiple new opportunities are available in Bible!
We are continuing the restructuring of Bible classes that was begun last year. Students in grades 7 and 8 will have a pool of Bible classes available to them, and they may take any combination during these two years. Students in grades 9 and 10 will have a different pool of classes, as will students in grades 11 and 12. These changes will allow us to increase the options available to students and to allow students to focus on particular areas of spiritual growth. More details on specific classes will be coming in the course catalog, but I want to give you an advance notice of one new planned class – Servant Leadership. This class, unlike the others, will be an option for all high school students. Students in this class will learn the Biblical model of leadership and apply this knowledge by going into our community regularly and serving. While exact details are still being worked out, options include going into a local public elementary school and providing tutoring services, meeting needs in local shelters and other targeted service projects.
- High School English courses offer more flexibility and variety!
Like Bible, we will offer a pool of classes to 9th and 10th grade students and a different pool of classes to 11th and 12th grade students. Specific options will be available in the course catalog.
- We will be adding a middle school principal!
We are currently in the process of interviewing qualified candidates, and we hope to finish our selection process this spring. This change will allow us to better focus attention on the needs of our middle school students.
- Upper middle school students have access to high school courses!
Advanced middle school students in 8th grade and in some cases 7th grade may take high school coursework in math, science and foreign language. While students will need to demonstrate appropriate readiness to take these classes, students who qualify will be able to begin their advanced coursework early, allowing them to reach higher levels of classes by graduation.
- Preschool classes have a new look and an upgraded curriculum!
To better meet individual needs, we will be using a mixed-age group approach in our classes. Classes will have at least two teachers, allowing a rich variety of small group enrichment activities that will be tailored to the developmental readiness of students. In this way, children who are advanced in one area and in need of added support in another will have more opportunity for focused attention. Additionally, students who are one year away from kindergarten will be challenged to meet the kindergarten standards in all areas where they are developmentally ready. As always, our preschool has a fun, play-based environment, with Biblical principles integrated throughout the curriculum, and children are encouraged to learn through exploration.
I hope you are excited by these changes. I am so looking forward to seeing what God will accomplish in the lives of our students and the impact He will allow them to have as we move through this next year!
Sincerely,
Jonathan Burton, Ed.D.
President
Open Door Christian Schools
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