Chestnut Academy is an independent, co-educational, college preparatory school committed to

educational excellence for students from pre-school through the twelfth grade. The school seeks to
develop the total child, with an emphasis on high character standards and moral values, which enable its
students to become mature and responsible young adults who are equipped to shape the future.

The fourth grade year is the bridge connecting the lower school to the middle school. Students enjoy a
rigorous and demanding curriculum with an emphasis on organisational and study skills. Teachers are
departmentalised with the children experiencing the excitement of "changing" classes and teachers for
the first time for core subjects. There is a strong commitment to character and moral development with
an emphasis on their core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, and excellence.

The Accelerated Reader program used with our fourth grade students emphasises reading
comprehension. Using computers in each classroom and our library, the fourth graders are guided
through an individualised program. Spelling lessons are taught weekly to reinforce phonic development.

Students learn English grammar and writing techniques through the Shurley method.Formal and
creative writing opportunities are used to allow students to expand, improve, and edit their own writing
skills.

Their fourth grade mathematics program provides students with the time and opportunity necessary to
build a solid foundation in beginning mathematics. This program uses a cognitive structure that builds
on students' prior learning. Their program emphasises consistent, honest effort, which is necessary to
produce genuine learning with a high level of retention.

The fourth grade curriculum correlates their units of Science and Social Studies. Using an interactive and
hands-on curriculum emphasising thinking skills and strategies to explore the world is the cornerstone of
fourth grade science.

The library skills/literary appreciation unit includes a review of skills taught in third grade: arrangement
and location of all sections, call numbers, and card catalogue skills. Art, music, physical education, and
computer lab are taught for a complete nine-week period by specialised instructors. Also they strongly
advise all their children to spend some time reading nightly. Even if it is just 15 or 20 minutes, this will
emphasise the importance of reading to our children.

By the way they ask to label as many of the items as possible with child's name in permanent marker,
including pens and pencils! This makes it much easier to locate the owner of lost items!

Speaking about rules: It eliminates the need for parents to think on their feet. It also gives kids a chance
to voice their opinions about what the rules should be and how they should be applied. Many families
post house rules in a prominent place in the household. In addition they have a dress code.