American Curriculum
Equipped for global success
Assignment-based learning that equips students with a head start for college and career success.
Building Portfolios of Success
Our curriculum blends assignment-based learning with academic excellence, empowering students to transform classroom concepts into real-world solutions. By engaging in applied projects and rigorous coursework, students build academic portfolios showcasing their unique talents and perspectives.
Research-based classroom practices:
- Inquiry Based Learning
- Social-emotional Learning
- Multiple types of Assessments
Rocklin International School is intentionally student-centred. This is reflected in practices throughout the school, including the school's curriculum. 100% of our instruction is in English for all subjects except World Languages which is instructed in the appropriate language. All students from Grades K to 12 complete MAP testing multiple times each year. Through MAP Growth, each Rocklin student gains understanding of their academic proficiency compared to international averages.
MAP Growth
MAP Growth is an external assessment which is a provider to gain insight into each student's individual development over the years.
A look at our curriculum
Our Subjects
English language Arts
Our English Language Arts (ELA) is a comprehensive program addressing the four areas of ELA Common Core Standards: reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language. As students progress and move up grade levels, they will meet each year's standards for that grade level. In their time at Rocklin International School, students will meet the requirements of college and career readiness in English language Arts and as set forward in the Common Core State Standards, and be prepared to attain success on the reading and Writing portion of the SAT.
Mathematics
Our Mathematics curriculum is a rigorous program that allows students to grow in
mathematical knowledge and expertise throughout primary, middle, and high school
years. It is based on the Common Core State Standards for Mathematical Content
and Mathematical Practice and assessed by the framework laid out for each grade
by AERO. Our math progression is systematic and clearly defined from
Kindergarten to Grade 12, culminating in students being prepared to achieve high
marks in AP Calculus and AP Statistics and on the math portion of the SAT.
Science
Our Science curriculum from Kindergarten to Grade 12 is based on the Next
Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and includes in each grade an integration of
three dimensions: Scientific and Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas, and
Crosscutting Concepts. The Next Generation Science Standards are supported by
Project AERO’s Science Framework which provides detailed performance
expectations at each grade level.
The Project AERO Science Framework and NGSS
standards guide our curriculum design to enable students to see how each level and
area of science is an interrelated world of inquiry and phenomena, and not just a
textbook of information to memorize. Throughout all grades, students will be
conducting investigations, discussing open-ended questions, exploring multiple
sources, and, as appropriate based on level, writing journals and reports to present
their findings and arguments.
Social Studies
Our Social Studies curriculum from Grades Kindergarten to 12 is based on the
AERO Social Studies Curriculum Framework that is designed to prepare students
with the knowledge and intellectual processes, practices, and dispositions to be
active, informed, engaged participants in public life. Social Studies is a critical
subject that can develop students to become critical and creative thinkers that can
then go on to impact the world in positive ways by bringing solutions to complex
world problems.
The Social Studies curriculum is dependent upon five AERO Social
Studies practices including:
1) Develop Questions and Plan Inquiries, 2) Evaluate the
Credibility of the Sources and Relevance of the Information to the Inquiry, 3)
Construct Coherent, Reasoned Arguments and Explanations, 4) Communicate
Conclusion From an Inquiry, 5) Take Informed Action for the Common Good. The
AERO Social Studies Framework also links the social studies units to existing ELA
standards throughout grade levels which connects the curriculum standards to
assessing the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts in all
grades and Literacy Standards for History and Social Studies in the middle school
and high school levels.
Fine Arts
The Fine Arts Curriculum is composed of classes in Art, Drama, and Music. Project
AERO provides a Framework for Visual Arts and Music standards. Art, Drama, and
Music instruction is grade level focused and includes an emphasis on art, drama,
and music from around the world to assist in the goal of each student being a global
citizen. Our Fine Arts program also integrates other subject-based standards
depending on the grade level by including readings and history.
World Languages
In agreement with Project AERO World Language Standards, we believe language
learning and the ability to communicate in more than one language empowers
students to adapt and grow in intercultural competency. Each student is offered the
opportunity during their time at Rocklin to study another language than their mother
tongue (for example, Bahasa Malay, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, etc).
We seek to
follow the Project AERO World Language Standards (which also agree with the
US-based Standards for Language Learning in the 21st Century). The AERO
standards promote an equal balance between the 5 C’s of Communication, Culture,
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities and add a focus on the impact
language learning has on the development of 21st century skills. This includes
cognitive flexibility, creativity, critical thinking, global preparedness, and engagement
and multicultural understanding.
Physical Education & Health
Our Physical Education and Health curriculum is based on SHAPE America, which
sets the standard for health and physical education in the United States. The
National Standards for K-12 Physical Education help structure our Physical
Education and Health curriculum. The goal of physical education is to help develop
students who have the knowledge, skills, and self-confidence to appreciate a lifetime
of health-giving physical activity.
Homework at Rocklin
At Rocklin International School, we believe homework can be an extension of the classroom. The goal of homework is to support and reinforce classroom teaching and learning. Parental involvement is also important to educational success. When giving homework, teachers will be sensitive to the workload for students to keep from putting excessive or unreasonable pressure on the students. We want children to learn and be challenged but also enjoy school and have time for extracurricular activities.
Students are assigned two main types of meaningful homework assignments:
- Practice homework (Reviews and Reinforces skills and concepts already taught in classroom)
- Extension homework (Explorers and applies classroom knowledge to the real world by thinking creatively and critically)
Beyond the textbook
Rocklin provides ample resources for learning beyond the limits of the textbook. Some resources include:
- Primary and Varsity library resources
- Online access for all teachers and students
- Teachers and staff with a wide range of skills, talents, and experiences
- Parent/Governing Board community with a wide range of skills, talents, and experiences
- Video lessons, virtual field trips, Zoom/Facetime
- Collaborative websites: Google Classroom, Padlet, JamBoard, Canva
- In-person field trips