ACADEMICS
Common Core Programs
MCA adopts Common Core Programs ( www.corestandards.org ) from PK to 12th
- What is Common Core?
■ A set of high-quality standards in English language arts, literacy, and mathematics
■ Outlines what a student should know and be able to do at the end of each grade
- Why Common Core?
■ Emphasizes critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills
■ Prepares all students who graduate from high school to succeed in college, career, and life, regardless of where they live
Humanities Programs
■ Humanities for Children and Youth
■ Harkness Table
■ Storytelling programs / Drama
■ Honored Book Club Programs
■ National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) ( www.socialstudies.org )
STEAM
STEAM is STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) plus the Arts.
STEM and STEAM are both interdisciplinary approaches to learning where academic concepts are coupled with real-world lessons. Students apply science, technology, engineering, and math in contexts that make connection between the classroom and the world around them.
By adding the arts, teachers create an essential tool for attracting students who otherwise would have found more traditional STEM education inaccessible. MCA is adding the A to STEM with Makers Education. This opens a new level of creativity where students' artistic abilities can be expressed through the use of technology.
STEAM education at MCA includes Robotex International - Robo League Competition and MCA Science Fair. MCA students participate in robotics-related programs such as WeDO 2.0, Spike Prime, Mindstorms EV3., Arduino Platform, and C++ & Python coding languages.
Strong Math Program
MCA’s ILP (Individual Learning Program) can help to extend students’ knowledge and problem-solving skills. Our students can fully enjoy what math education can provide - nurturing their power of reasoning, creativity, abstract or spatial thinking, critical thinking, and even effective communication skills.
Independent Study Programs
STAR Reading
STAR Reading is a comprehensive reading assessment system (developed by Renaissance, a renowned educational solution provider) that helps our students reach high levels of literacy. MCA students read carefully-selected books and their comprehension levels are assessed by STAR.
WIDA
WIDA is probably the most widely used resource hub for educators supporting multilingual learners. MCA adopts WIDA reading comprehension assessment tool to help our students increase their reading comprehension abilities.
Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org)
Khan Academy is a well-known non-profit organization that provides free, top-class education for anyone, anywhere. Its online program is utilized for students’ self-study or homework assignments to complement MCA’s ILP-based curriculum.
Project-Based Learning (PBL )
PBL is an instructional approach designed to give students the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills through engaging projects set around challenges and problems they may face in the real world.
Students learn how to use their knowledge and skills acquired from various subjects in the process of completing PBL projects. Throughout the year, MCA organizes various PBL events, including Literary Fair, Science Fair, Music Concert, World Heritage Day, etc.
Physical Education (PE )
MCA believes that PE is an important part of the educational experience. Our PE teachers will create an atmosphere for leadership development, sportsmanship, and congeniality while teaching the students. In addition, classroom teachers may do activities with students to complement PE education if required.