Core Curriculum
Albany Christian School, as a “Christian” school, adopts a curriculum comprised of one core component: becoming devoted followers of Jesus Christ.  What does a “devoted follower of Jesus mean?”  In short, it means that we are WARRIORS. 
 
We are the Albany Christian School WARRIORS.  WARRIORS is an acronym that illustrates our values and our beliefs and is our attempt to help students identify with being a devoted follower of Jesus. 
 
Our values and our beliefs are biblically grounded and they drive our curriculum.  Our values and our beliefs are what we want young hearts and minds to grasp through the learning of math, science, history and all other subjects taught at ACS.  They are what we teach and they are what we live out in everyday life.
 
Being a biblically grounded school first and foremost means that we Worship the one and only God of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Our Attitude is one of humility which empowers us to Respect ourselves and others as created in God's image, and take full Responsibility for our thoughts, words and deeds.  Our dealings with people, industries, and organizations are guided by the highest degree of Integrity as we demonstrate our love for God and the world through Obedience to Him and to those in authority over us in all areas of our lives. Relationships are important to us.  Peaceful encounters within all our relationships take priority over work and play.  And, last but not least, we are Servant-Leaders who understand that serving others is the highest form of demonstrating respect and honor to another. ​
​To serve is to worship; to serve is to adopt an attitude of humility; to serve is to behave responsibly; to serve is to demonstrate integrity of character; to serve is to be obedient; to serve is the most relational act in the world.  We are WARRIORS.

To say it another way…

Worship of God requires an Attitude of humility that generates Respect for God and others, and the Responsibility to develop Integrity of character through Obedience to God and the authorities in our lives results in peaceful Relationships with others; all built on the foundation of Servanthood.
 
Becoming a WARRIOR is our curriculum!!  This is what we teach.
​Education as a Ministry
  • ACS uses the ministry of education, the teaching of Math, Science, English, History, and all our other subjects in the process of helping students become fully devoted followers of Jesus. 
  • In the subject of mathematics, we believe that the consistency of operations, rules, axioms, and the formulas of mathematics demonstrate the stable and unchanging nature of God.
  • In the subject of science, we believe that the scientific wonders of the world demonstrate God’s vast genius and ingenuity as the Intelligent Designer of the universe.
  • In the subject of history, we believe that God has been actively involved in the history of the world since the beginning of time and continues to orchestrate the developments of world history today ultimately bringing all of history to culmination on the day Jesus returns to earth.
  • In the subject of Bible, we believe that the bible is God’s truth to man and directs the teaching of all subjects.  
  • ACS uses a variety of exceptional classroom texts that are compatible with the mission, beliefs and values of Albany Christian School.  Most classes are not based on one publisher nor do they follow a specific textbook from start to finish.
  • ACS has adopted the Oregon State Standards as the minimum learning standard for grade level education.  In addition, our scope and sequence of academic learning objectives for each grade level for each subject have been progressed and we choose the best textbooks, resources, and teacher materials that will help teachers reach those objectives. 
  • A broad-based overview of the course of instruction for Kindergarten through Eighth grade is given by subject below:
  • Reading is taught through a phonetically based approach.

  • ​Math is a demonstration of the stable and consistent character of God through the consistent application of stable mathematical formulas.   Going mostly unnoticed, God is the reasonable source of the "unreasonable and effectiveness," of math.   math.https://youtu.be/QJBOiZXkKu8

  • Science in all its breathtaking variety, is the exciting discovery of the creativity and ingenious intellect of an Intelligent Designer as displayed in the physical world and all its empirical attributes. ​ https://youtu.be/Kd7StYEyFOc
  • ​History chronicles, across global geographical boundaries, the cultural evidences of man’s brokenness and separation from God caused by man’s sinfulness.  History is the cultural outworking of God’s attempt to demonstrate to mankind the depth of His unfathomable love for mankind in reconciling man to Himself by the work of the cross, consummating all of world events in the return of Jesus to earth.
  • The Bible is the historical record of God’s attempt to demonstrate to mankind the depth of His unfathomable love for mankind in reconciling man to Himself by the work of the cross, consummating all of world events in the return of Jesus to earth.  It is the source of truth for all academic subjects: mathematical, scientific, historical, and spiritual.  The Bible is taught as History at all grade levels in each class throughout the day. Bible memory work is expected of each student.
Supplemental Learning Opportunities
In addition to our core curriculum, students are given the following learning opportunities:
  • After School Programs:  As available, students can sign up for a variety of after school programs at an additional cost. Parents can sign up for these activities at the annual Back to School Night.
  • Art:  Students in Grades 1-8 will have the opportunity to participate in an art class that explores the different art mediums including drawing, sketching and painting.
  • Band:  Students in grades 5-8 may participate in Concert Band during the school day, two times a week, along with a monthly participation fee. These students are taught music history, theory, and performance techniques.
  • Chapel:  Every week, students in grades K-8 gather together for chapel. Chapels are a time of worship, fellowship and edification through God’s Word.
  • Computer Class:  Students in grades 1-8 will attend a Computer class to learn a variety of skills based on grade level abilities. Students will begin with keyboarding and move to learning a variety of software applications that will prepare them for higher education and the business world.
  • Field Trips: Students learn in a variety of ways, and field trips are a fun way to learn outside the classroom. Each class, grades K-8 will take at least two field trips per year.
  • Library:  Students in K-8 will participate in a Library program once per week. Students are taught Library skills and allowed to check out books. In addition, each class reads through a book learning about literature components such as themes, events, climax, and resolution. For upper level grades, students create journals for each book full of written responses and related activities.
  • Music:  Students in grades K-8 will learn how to be listeners, audience members, singers and worshipers as they prepare for our Christmas Program. At the Christmas Program students will have the opportunity to demonstrate some of the music foundations they have learned. During the school year students will also study music history, various composers and music appreciation. 
  • Physical Education:  Students in grades 1-8 will participate in physical education at least once per week in order to increase motor skill development and establish healthy life-long habits. Every spring, students in grades 1-5 are given the opportunity to participate in a track meet competing against other private schools in the area.  
  • Recorder Class:  Students in grade 4 participate in Recorder Class once a week. At the Christmas Program and the Spring Band Concert students will demonstrate their learning and growth.
  • Spanish Class:  Students in grades 3-8 learn Spanish the way all mother tongue languages are learned, by being immersed in the language.  The ACS immersion Spanish class fosters an environment in which Spanish is taught naturally, through daily classroom activities. Students are immersed in Spanish in a setting that is supportive and individualized.