Our Elementary Program
DaVinci Academy consistently ranks among Minnesota’s top charter elementary schools, a testament to our unwavering commitment to academic excellence. According to Niche.com rankings for 2024, DaVinci Academy Elementary is ranked #10 out of 101 best charter elementary schools in the state. We are also recognized as #4 out of 48 elementary schools in Anoka County and as the elementary school with the best teachers in Anoka County.
Our Curriculum
As a public school, DaVinci Academy’s curriculum is guided by the Minnesota Academic Standards, which detail expectations for what students should learn and be able to do during each year of their schooling. The Minnesota Department of Education writes the standards, which you can view by visiting the Minnesota Academic Standards (K-12) website
Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) Amplify is based off of the Core Knowledge Sequence developed by E.D. Hirsch. The program is based on decades of research indicating the importance of both word recognition and language comprehension. Word recognition is addressed in the Skills portion of Amplify, and language comprehension is covered in the Listening and Learning portion. We were the first school in Minnesota to adopt Amplify. Its combination of knowledge-building and research-based foundational skills grounded in the Science of Reading has led to reading, writing, listening, and speaking success for our students.
Math in Focus: Singapore Math empowers students to develop the critical-thinking skills, positive attitude, and confidence needed for mathematical achievement. Math in Focus recognizes problem-solving as central to learning in math class. It uses a three-step learning model, moving from the concrete to visual representation and then on to the more abstract. Hands-on learning techniques are often used to help students dive deeper into a concept. Students are taught not only to know how to do something but also why it works.
Recognizing the importance of continual growth and improvement, DaVinci Academy is currently reviewing science curriculum for possible adoption during the 2024-2025 school year. At this time, many different resources, including Foss kits and Generation Genius, are being used to best address the standards.
The Skills portion of CKLA Amplify is used for social studies instruction. This portion is aligned to the Core Knowledge Sequence developed by E.D. Hirsch. The Core Knowledge Sequence aims to equip students with a well-rounded education that prompts critical thinking, communication skills, and cultural literacy, while also preparing them for academic success and active citizenship.
Our specialist courses utilize many different curricula resources and units created by DaVinci. Our elementary school specialist courses are as follows:
- Physical education
- Art
- STEM
- Music
- Library
Character Strong helps students become thoughtful, healthy, and kind human beings. The elementary school curriculum (Purposeful People) focuses on being king, being strong, and being well.
Curriculum Supplements
DaVinci Academy places a strong emphasis on utilizing curriculum supplements to enhance the educational experience for students. These supplements play a crucial role in our approach to education by complementing, enriching, or extending the core curriculum. Our Instructional Leadership team collaborates closely with our teaching teams to identify the most suitable materials that align with the specific learning needs of individual students or classes. Our dedicated educators are empowered with the autonomy to incorporate these resources into their teaching when they deem it necessary to support instruction effectively.
To ensure that families are well-informed and engaged in this process, we encourage them to attend open houses and parent conferences, stay updated through regular school communications, and to reach out to teachers or administrators whenever they have questions or concerns. This collaborative approach to curriculum supplementation at DaVinci Academy aims to provide a well-rounded and tailored education that meets the diverse needs of our students.
Listed below are just a few of the numerous curriculum supplements utilized at DaVinci Academy:
IXL is an online educational platform that provides adaptive learning content for students in language arts and math, allowing them to practice and master skills at their own pace through interactive exercises and assessments. IXL differentiates for each student based on his/her skill level and needs.
Scholastic News resources, used to complement the learning of Amplify CKLA, reinforce informational text concepts and increase students’ content-area knowledge. These materials provide valuable, current, and age-appropriate content across various subjects, supporting student engagement and critical thinking while enhancing their understanding of the Amplify CKLA curriculum.
Zaner-Bloser handwriting resources are designed to extend the handwriting concepts introduced in Amplify CKLA. They offer additional practice opportunities for students and provide teachers with valuable guidance to support the development of legible and fluent handwriting skills in the classroom.
AmazeWorks utilizes the anti-bias education theory as a guiding model for identity development, emphasizing the appreciation of differences and promoting a deeper understanding of bias, prejudice, and stereotypes. Their educational approach is particularly valuable when students would benefit from lessons on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Through impactful anti-bias training and education tools, AmazeWorks equips educators to interrupt harmful cycles, curate best practices for promoting equity, address difficult questions, foster authentic belonging, and facilitate purposeful conversations surrounding identity, diversity, and bias.
