Curriculum & Academics

The Sage School offers a rigorous academic program designed to maximize the academic instructional level, interests, and motivation of academically gifted students who may be beyond a typical age-defined curriculum.  Our academic program encompasses three Divisions: Prime (pre-K through 2nd grade ages); Junior (3rd through 5th grade ages); and the Middle School (6th through 8th grade ages). We seek to create a stimulating learning experience for our students that balances chronological, developmental, and social/emotional growth with development of the intellect to successfully educate the whole child.

We also recognize that diversity exists within our population, as demonstrated through the range in strengths and weaknesses, interest levels, work output, and personality types of our students.  Faculty members are committed to using a variety of teaching styles in order to encourage each student to reach his or her potential.  Ability grouping, flexible pacing of instruction, and enrichment clusters are some of the specific techniques employed by our faculty to reach this goal.

Our curriculum is classical in nature, including instruction in world languages and the arts to complement other traditional subjects.  In keeping with the needs of the gifted child, we combine this classical curriculum with a progressive approach to instruction by balancing depth of content with acceleration, using primary source documents, creating hands-on/experiential learning opportunities, and condensing curriculum when necessary.  Upon graduation, our students are well prepared for success in secondary schools.

We believe the success of our students depends on a strong partnership between home and school.  This requires clear communication of academic expectations, performance requirements and standards of behavior.  With this clear communication our students thrive in a safe learning environment in which they are encouraged to take risks and accept challenges, the keys to making progress as learners.

Furthermore, students are expected to take an active role in maintaining standards as they participate regularly in goal setting, self-reflection, and evaluation of progress.  Our community strives to create a climate of excellence in all that we do.