Elementary School
Cranium Academy Preparatory School (CAPS) is a completely unique private elementary school designed for advanced and talented students, offering state-of-the-art, technology-based learning skillfully balanced with hands-on exploration in reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, art, foreign languages, and more.
As a Cranium Academy elementary student, your child will benefit from:
- Gifted level academics made tangible and fun.
- K-5 reading and math curriculum measured one full grade year ahead of the highest national common core standards (example: kindergarten receives first grade reading lessons).
- A revolutionary approach towards critical thinking.
- A custom learning path based on frequent skill assessment and analysis to reach his/her ultimate learning potential.
- The latest technology including smartboards in every room, laptops, and tablets combined with multisensory exploration to prepare for success in the 21st century.
- Advanced science curriculum which goes beyond the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS ), encouraging students to employ the scientific method in daily life. Units include: Earth Science, Physical Science, Life Science, and Space & Technology.
- Comprehensive language arts program, incorporating writing and spelling components to our core reading curriculum.
- Accelerated social studies/history program which employs project-based learning to help students understand social studies through stories. Children learn American history, geography, economics, governments, and more.
- Innovative programs designed to build cognitive, critical thinking, gross and fine motor skills, while fostering social, emotional, speech/language and character development.
- Unforgettable, educational field trips offering hands-on learning adventures and exposure to new environments.
- Structured athletic gym program developing gross motor skills, strength, and coordination.
- Large indoor and outdoor play areas featuring the latest gym and playground equipment.
- Revolutionary teaching techniques delivered by caring teachers focused on positive reinforcement and praise to build confidence and a lifetime love of learning.
- Ongoing communication and collaboration between teachers and parents with progress reports, teacher conferences, and continuous updates.
- Access to a homework website loaded with interactive activities to help parents reinforce learning at home.
- Engaging instructors with low student-teacher ratios.
Cranium Academy Preparatory School Advantages
Advanced Reading & Math – Custom Learning Paths
Traditional school curriculum is centered around teaching all children in a class the same skills. Cranium Academy was founded to solve this problem. We test and monitor students throughout the year while providing a custom learning path for each child that is integrated into their reading and math learning journeys throughout each day.
Critical Thinking – Explorers
In addition to advanced reading and math, Cranium Academy offers our exclusive Cranium Explorers program featuring Montessori type critical thinking lesson plans that cover the four scientific domains: life, earth, physical and process science. Through Cranium Explorers, children build creativity, focus, communication, confidence, critical thinking and cognitive skills while exploring topics such as:
- Earth Science
- Astronomy
- Weather
- Wildlife
- Economics
- Energy
- Physics
- Dinosaurs
- World Travel
- Theatre
Students not only learn about the weather, they become junior meteorologists who can predict the climate using critical thinking skills. They don’t just learn about dinosaurs, they become young paleontologists embarking on journeys through time to explore what life was like in prehistoric times. At Cranium Academy, students go beyond ‘what’ to explore ‘how’ and ‘why,’ discovering a true love of learning along the way.
Art
Cranium Academy recognizes the importance of art as a language, and an important form of self expression. Our teachers utilize two core art programs, along with art integration within other programs such as science, social studies and reading. Art highlights include:
- Preschool through sixth grade art curriculum that meets all national art and state specific art standards.
- An animated interactive art program that teaches students the “language” of art while developing critical thinking.
- Exploration of art history, including appreciation of art periods, styles, famous pieces and museums around the world.
Music Education
At Cranium Academy, we value music as a powerful learning tool which helps children develop into well-rounded individuals, enhances communication and cognitive skills, and expands abilities in other academic areas. Our exciting music education program makes the study of music fun, fully engaging each child to stimulate retention and overall learning capacity. While even our youngest students begin to discover marvelous beats and rhythms, our CAPS students travel along interactive musical journeys exploring:
- Music theory
- Instruments and ensembles
- Composers and music history
- Music styles and genres
- Musical composition
- Music around the world, and more!
Writing
Cranium Academy uses base components of our core kindergarten through sixth grade writing program in our preschool to give even our youngest students a head start in fine motor skill development. This program links writing as a form of expression, while focusing on fun and achievement.
Social Studies
With our dynamic social studies program, Cranium Academy students discover the world around them, expanding their minds beyond the walls of their own home or school setting. As they are introduced to global connections and culture, children strengthen individual social development and identity. While even our youngest students are exposed to holidays and traditions around the world, our advanced CAPS curriculum supports the National Council for the Social Studies and state early-childhood standards as children explore concepts such as:
- Culture
- Community
- Government
- Global connections
- Civic ideals and practices
- Science, technology and society
- Needs and wants, good and services
Starting as early as 1st grade, we introduce innovative technology to make reading and learning about social studies more social. Our Book Blog program engages CAPS students in meaningful conversations through online blogging and in-person discussion groups that gets them talking—and writing—about social studies in a whole new way!
Language
Cranium Academy curriculum introduces languages such as Spanish, Chinese, and American Sign Language (ASL) while taking children on virtual journeys throughout the world. They learn about famous places and how children use language to live, learn, and play within various cultures.
Character Education
Cranium Character, our exclusive ongoing character education program, integrates character education and positive discipline techniques throughout each day. Students benefit from:
- Engaging character education focused on building character traits such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship
- Fun character curriculum utilizing real world scenarios and creative strategies that match emerging cognitive abilities
- Positive discipline techniques that nurture the development of life skills, while encouraging ethical and responsible behavior
Physical Education
Integrating physical activity with cognitive learning strengthens gross motor skills and confidence, and has been shown to benefit academic achievement. All Cranium Academy students benefit from various indoor and outdoor play opportunities each week. For our CAPS students, our physical education program incorporates more structured active play and sports each week in our gym and outdoor play areas, as well as a large outdoor playing field nearby. Laying a foundation for a healthy lifestyle that they will carry with them throughout their lives, our physical education program is designed to:
- Strengthen muscles, bones, and joints
- Enhance social and motor skill development
- Increase learning capacity
- Improve self-confidence, concentration, and coordination
Schedule a Tour
The best way to see what we do is to come see for yourself. We believe you will clearly see what makes Cranium Academy so special! Please contact us to schedule a tour of either our Winter Garden – Windermere or East Orlando (near Lake Nona) locations today.
Franchise Opportunities
Help us revolutionize education, inspire children, and make a difference every day. We currently have locations in Winter Garden near Windermere and East Orlando near Lake Nona.
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