Our curriculum

At PVD Prep, we pride ourselves on our academically rigorous, intentionally structured, and small, family-like school community.  In every classroom, students will question, critique, learn from their peers, and proceed with confidence when presented with challenging tasks.  Teachers celebrate when students are at their best, when students are excited to step up and tackle a question, and even when they are uncertain. Informed by the values, experience and expertise of our team and the ongoing input from our community, we hold several core beliefs: 

• Every Minute Matters  At PVD Prep we believe in the “fierce urgency of now.” More quality instructional minutes are essential for our students to succeed as they strive towards the goal of college access and college graduation. 

• Rigorous Academics  Every student works hard, is challenged, and is supported to achieve at high levels. Every student is prepared to access AP classes and continue their academic journey to thrive in the college of their choice. 

• High Quality Instruction  Strong schools ensure excellent teachers are in every classroom. We invest heavily in professional development and foster a culture of constant improvement. 

• Structured Community & Individual Supports  Students experience success in structured, joyful communities with individualized supports.  Students receive individual instruction at their skill level, benefit from daily small group instruction, and have regular daily access to tutoring sessions.

Math

In Math we use a problem-based curriculum called Illustrative Math. Illustrative Math is designed to help students build both conceptual understanding and procedural fluency. Some of the key content that our students master in each grade level is listed to the right.

We also use a curriculum called Math for Meaning: Story Problems. Our Story Problems curriculum engages students to develop multiple approaches for solving on and above-grade-level problems through hands-on learning and rich mathematical discourse.

5th grade: Finding volume. Fractions as quotients. Multiplying and dividing fractions. Place value. Shapes on coordinate planes.

6th grade: Area and surface area. Introducing ratios. Unit rates and percentages. Dividing fractions. Arithmetic in base ten. Expressions and equations.

7th grade: Scale drawings. Proportional relationships. Measuring circles. Proportional relationships and percentages. Rational number arithmetic. Expressions, equations and inequalities. Angles, triangles and prisms. Probability and sampling.

8th grade: Rigid transformations and congruence. Dilations, similarity and slope. Linear relationships. Linear equations and linear systems. Functions and volume. Associations in data. Exponents and scientific notation. Pythagorean Theorem and irrational numbers.

Science

In Science we use a curriculum called Full Option Science System (FOSS). FOSS focuses on both what we know (content knowledge) and how we come to know it (science practices). The FOSS Program provides students with meaningful experiences through active participation in scientific practices.

5th grade: Mixtures & solutions; Earth and sun, and; Living systems.

6th grade: Heredity & adaptation; Electromagnetic force; Gravity & Kinetic energy; Waves, and; Planetary science

7th grade: Chemical interactions; Earth history, and; Populations and Ecosystems

8th grade: Weather & water; Diversity of life, and; Human systems and interactions

Creative Prep

In the 2023-2024 school year PVD Prep will offer physical education / gym, theater and music. We will also continue to offer after-school programs including choir, clarinet, hip-hop dance and academic tutoring.