Appletree Academy Overview
The Appletree School of Fairfax proudly offers a multi-faceted elementary school program for kindergarten through third grade. Your child will enjoy an interactive day full of learning and fun from the core subjects of reading, language, math, history and science to specialties of art, computer, music, physical education and Spanish.
The Academy includes Kindergarten and a lower elementary class through third grade. Appletree School follows Virginia’s requirement that a child be five by September 30th to qualify for kindergarten. Typically, there is one kindergarten classroom and one lower elementary classroom blending first, second and third grade level students with a teacher accustomed to meeting the multi-age and academic level class needs. This lower elementary mixed-age grouping offers opportunities for leadership among older students, and strong role models for younger students. The allocation of grades per classroom may adjust each year based on enrollment and student needs.
With smaller class sizes, the program’s flexible format can adjust to meet the individual needs of students.
All Academy students begin their academic day at 9:00am and finish at 3:00pm. If more hours are needed, Appletree offers extended day services for an added fee starting at 7:00am and closing at 6:00pm. The school year begins in late August. Please review the current calendar days of operation.
Curriculum
The Academy uses the Christian A Beka curriculum (http://www.abeka.com) as the foundation of studies. This curriculum provides a solid academic foundation and is typically a year ahead of public programs. Our teachers augment class instruction with other enriching materials to create a lively and well-rounded class to help your child better understand concepts. Students begin their day of learning with core subjects of reading, language and math. Later in the afternoon, they will focus on social studies and science. Appletree emphasizes outdoor activity also so your student can enjoy time on the playground or relax under the trees.
Specialty Classes
The Appletree School of Fairfax focuses on developing the whole child and offers specialty classes throughout the week. These include:
- Physical Education/Health: This class develops individual skills and shifts into incorporating team sports as students Sportsmanship and cooperation are fundamental character values emphasized in the program. Students take part in P.E. classes four times a week with a fifth day focused on health instruction. Health topics covered include the skeletal system, germ fighting, basic first aid, hygiene, nutrition, and healthy heart activities. The Appletree School of Fairfax is committed to helping each child embrace fitness as a daily activity for developing a healthy mind and body.
- Art: Art instruction focuses on creative expression along with technique to build confidence. This weekly class will study the Artist of the Month as they experience varied media. At the end of the school year, every child displays their masterpieces in the “Art Extravaganza” for all to admire.
- Music: Twice a week students enjoy singing and playing instruments in music class. First graders learn Melody Flutes. As third grade approaches, students begin learning music theory concepts. Parents delight in the evening of song and dance at the school’s annual year-end “Appletree Show” hosted by the children.
- Computer: One of our most eagerly awaited weekly specialties, computer class offers students a half hour of instruction in small grade level groups. While students learn new computer skills on desktop personal computers, they also benefit from practicing classroom concepts with computer programs. Keyboard skills are introduced in Kindergarten and Power Point presentation skills are developed in third grade. The Academy’s iPad resource laboratory can move from class to class for teachers to use in each Academy classroom. Age-appropriate applications offer fun and enriching opportunities for students to reinforce skills learned in reading, writing and math.
- Spanish: The Appletree School of Fairfax uses the Power Glide Spanish Course curriculum. Students learn vocabulary, pronunciation and basic grammar principles through conversations, activities and drills, with discovery about culture of Spanish speaking countries as well.
Student Assessments
At The Appletree School of Fairfax, all Academy students take part in the IOWA Test of Basic Skills each April. CoGats are also taken in second grade. Assessments help each parent assess their child’s personal progress in foundational and higher-thinking skills and compare results to a national sampling of children of the same age. In addition, the IOWA Test enables our teachers to use data to inform and plan future instruction for each student. Tests after learning units help students and parents gauge progress in academic areas.
Food for Thought – Lunch at the Academy
Unlike preschool, Academy students may enjoy a school lunch on Friday though they typically bring lunch from home other days and milk is provided. Appletree’s PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) makes a commercial food service order option available for those who wish to order pizza or chicken sandwiches from a local restaurant.
After Appletree
After graduation, Appletree students successfully transition and thrive in their next school. Many of our families enjoy continuing their educational journey at our sister school, Merritt Academy, about five minutes east of our campus. Merritt Academy serves children through 8th grade and continues many similar programs and philosophies. After the family consults with Merritt Academy Admissions about their interest and next steps for their child, there is an academic assessment for placement purposes for every Merritt Academy applicant, including transfer students from Appletree.
Sample Schedule
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Greeting students, morning play, outdoor recess, and library time
8:30 a.m.
Classrooms open with academic warm-up activities
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Academic period (reading, writing, math activities)
12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lunch
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Recess
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Specialties and other academics
3:00 p.m.
Dismissal time with optional afternoon activities starting
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Optional afternoon activities with snack, recess, homework help, and open playtime
