Advantages


 

Advantages

Harbor Academy serves students who need a highly structured, individualized context in which to learn. Our strong academic curriculum includes multisensory teaching methods delivered in small class settings. Students at HLA are able to develop learning styles consistent with the strengths of their own minds through consistent processes and careful observation. We have achieved this goal since we focus on students' gifts and abilities.

Technology

Our young students quickly are introduced to touch-typing and word processing applications, as computers are utilized within the classrooms as a part of their daily curriculum. At the higher-grade levels. our students also learn to create spreadsheets, graphs, and organizational charts with computers.

Language Arts / English Program

Harbor AcademyLanguage Arts / English Program encompasses reading and written language instruction. After thourough evaluations, all students' studies begin at their current instructional reading level.

 

Language Arts in the elementary and middle grades is strengthened by reading and writing classes. Instruction emphasizes the study of word etymology, vocabulary, comprehensian and literature. Literal instruction emphasizes the study of word etymology, vocabulary, comprehension and literature. Literal, inferential, and critical skells are addressed through multi- sensory exercises. The individual program also emphasizes instruction in handwriting, spelling, grammar and composition. Spelling emphasizes a multi-sensory approach utilizing words that follow the phoentetic patterns introduced in reading.

 

High School students focus on the english curriculum for high school graduation, with the opportunity to meet requirements for entry into TX colleges. Students moce toward competence in vocabulary acquisition, reading comprehension, composition, literature study, and other language skills by proceeding through an individual designed sequence of skills reingorcing the development of independent readers and proficient writers.

 

At all levels, materials are individually selected based on reading levels and the students interest providing exposure to a variety of genres and writing styles. Class assignments and required independent reading reinforce skills.

Math

Elementary Math

Elementary math skills are designed around a multi-sensory and individual approach which includes the following areas: numeration, whole numbers, calculations, decimals, fractions, geometry, measurement, ratios, proportions, percents, graphing, and basic equivalents. Single and multi-step word problems reingorce the number concepts being studied, including real life applications.

 

Middle School Math

Middle school math focuses on individualized, reingorced units extending basic operations and problem solving including fractions, decimals, and percents. Students are introduced to early pre-algebra and pre geometry concepts, as well as applying previously learned skills to real life situations. A Pre-Algebra class is offered to students who complete proficiency in advanced operations with fractions, decimals, measuremnets, proportions and problem solving strategies. The use of fvariables is also introduced.

 

High School Math

High school students are introduced to a variety of courses including integrated Math, Goemetry, Advanced Math Applications, Algebra, Algebra II, Trigonometry and Calculus. All math courses have skilled tutoring and are individualized according to current levels and learning styles.

Science

Science students at HLA develop concepts and factual knowledge in all areas of science. Emphasis is on concrete larning experiences and academic work integrated with the development of reading, writing and reasoning skills.

Elementary Science

Elementary science exposes students to a wide range of concepts in the areas of earth science, physical science and life science, while conducting a review of core information needed to integrate these concepts. The skills of observation, classification, and contrasting are stressed. Units built around multi-sensory education are utilized to help students see the science in everyday phenomena such as weather, wildlife and technology.

Middle School Science

Middle School Science utilizes a combination of topical units to conduct review and development of concepts in the areas of life science, earth science and physical science. The units incorporate various text sources, including newspaper and magazine articles, library books are computerized printouts. Content reading strategies and hand-on-experience and application projects are used to reinforce connections between science and the everyday world.

High School Science

High School Science courses include Physical Science / IPC, Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy and Physics.

Fine Arts and Music

Fine Arts at HLA includes not only academic study, but our work is also an integral component of our school and community. Students show their work at various venues inside and outside of the schoool. Students contribute to Community Service projects, create large murals for the school, design posters and decorations for school events and take part in off campus programs.

 

The Fine Arts Studio is an open environemnt where students freely use a variety of materials for creative self-expression. Various art mediums and tools are utilized, and our study and research includes sources such as film, art history, libraries, internet articles, and sketchbooks to create not only individual but also group projects.

 

Our students are exposed to many forms of music and rhythm. All ages perform in an effor to provide students with a positive experience with whch to share their knowledge and encourage their development of a life-long apppreciation and enjoyment of music.

Physical Education

At HLA, all Physical Education classes are design for the appropriate age range and include the goals of sportsmanship and adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Elementary Physical Education

Grades 4-5 The emphasis is on manipulatin objects with accuracy and speed. Students will continue to learn the correct techniques for using manipulatives including throwing, catching, striking kicking, trapping, and dribbling Students will learn to analyze their performances in order to learn to improve a movement skill. Students will continue to learn fitness concepts, participate in a variety of fitness development exercises, assess their personal fitness, compare their scores to a health related standard, and set goals for improvement or maintenance. Working in small groups. students will learn to accept personal differences (maturity levels, physical differences, physical abilities, cultures, and gender differences). Units of instruction include playground rules and games; fitness pre-and post-testing; jump rope; throwing, rolling, and catching; striking with implements; striking with feet; and invasion, net, and other games.

 

Middle School Physical Education and Health

This course provides students the contining opportunity to learn through a developmentally apppropriate, comprehensive sequentially planned physical education program. The focus of this course is the application of movement skills and knwledge(including defensive and offensive strategies) to team physical activities; the assessment and maintenance of physical fitness to improve health and performance; and the understanding and demonstration of self-responsiility, positive social interaction, and group dynamics in the learning and performance of physical activity. Units of activity include: physical fitness (activities, assessment, concepts, development and maintenance); cooperative activities; movement skills and strategies applied in modified games of flag football; soccer; volleyball; basketball; ultimate Frisbee; and several net games. Units of health instruction include: Fitness and Wellness for All; Learning Self-Management Skills; Lifestyle Physical Activity and Positive Attitudes; Components of Heath Related Fitness; Choosing Nutritious Foods; Making Consumer Choices; Stress Management; and Substance Abuse.

High School Physical Education and Health

This course is designed to give students the opportunity to learn through a comprehensive sequentially planned Physical Education program in accordance with the Texas Healthful Living Curriculum. Students will be empowered to make choices, meet challenges, and develop positive behaviours in fitness, wellness concepts and techniques, cardiorespiratory endurance training, and team activities.

High School Fitness / Conditioning

This course is designed to give students the opportunity to learn fitness concepts and conditioning techniques used for obtaining optimal physical fitness. Students will benefit form comprehensive weight training and cardiorespiratory endurance activities. Students will learn the basic fundamentals of strenght training, aerobic training, and overall fitness training and conditioning. Students will be empowered to make wise choices, meet challenges, and develop positive behaviours in fitness, wellness, and movement activity for a lifetime.

Our physical education program represents a varied program, in which boys and girls acquire physical fitness, physical skills and socially desireable habits of good sportmanship, teamwork, fair play and safety.

Technology

Our young students quickly are introduced to touch-typing and word processing applications, as computers are utilized within the classrooms as a part of their daily curriculum. At the higher-grade levels. our students also learn to create spreadsheets, graphs, and organizational charts with computers. In addition, students may incorporate digital photography involving the use of digital cameras, scanners, and editing software; and are encouraged to integrate these skills into the core curriculum.

Our computer lab features the latest technology where every student has an opportunity to use a computer, and our lab is equipped with high-speed cable internet connections.