Academics
Brookstone is accredited by SAIS. Accreditation is a voluntary process of self-evaluation and continuous improvement that reflects compliance with required standards/indicators, involves a self-study, and includes a peer review by educators from other schools.
Philosophy
Brookstone Schools believes that the love and knowledge of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). We believe that all children are given unique gifts and abilities for the purpose of expanding the kingdom of God and bringing Him glory. As such, both spiritual and academic instruction are infused with Biblical truth and reinforced through consistent study of Scripture, daily prayer, and regular chapel services.
We believe that measurability and accountability are crucial to providing a quality education. Our academic program is based on sound research and proven methods which include measuring benchmarks of learning for each grade level and frequent progress assessments to ensure mastery.
We believe that by offering learning and enrichment experiences outside the classroom we contribute to both the intellectual and cultural development of our students. The surrounding community offers valuable opportunities for learning through field trips, community service, and engaging in hands-on activities. These help to provide an excellent foundation for a traditional college preparatory education.
Lower School Curriculum
The Lower School–grades kindergarten through fourth—is an engaging, learning environment that promotes a love of learning, while challenging students to fully utilize the unique talents they each possess.
We believe that measurability and accountability are crucial to providing a quality education. Our academic program is based on sound research and proven methods which include measuring benchmarks of learning for each grade level and frequent progress assessments to ensure mastery.
Along these lines, we use nationally recognized curricula that are carefully chosen to challenge students to excel in every academic area.
Language Arts, Science and Humanities: Grades K-4
Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA)
CKLA is a literacy rich curriculum that draws from history, science, literature, and geography to build background knowledge and comprehension skills.
Biblical and World History Timeline
Students memorize a chronological timeline of 160 important historical and biblical events and figures spanning from “Creation” up to “Modern America” through songs and motions. This serves as an important foundation for future biblical and historical studies.
Novel Studies
Students read and listen to great classics of the literary canon through the lens of a biblical worldview.
Orton Gillingham
OG is a highly effective, phonetic approach to reading and spelling which is used in our reading curriculum for grades K-4.
Handwriting Without Tears. Handwriting is one of the foundational skills that leads students toward automatic word recognition. Using a multi-sensory approach, students practice letter formation reinforcing language-related skills. This practice ensures automatic recall of symbols for sounds, facilitating knowledge transfer as they progress.
Shurley Grammar
This is an interactive program that develops strong grammatical usage and sentence composition in grades 1-4.
Institute for Excellence in Writing. Using the four language arts—listening, speaking, reading, and writing, this comprehensive program trains students to become confident and competent communicators and thinkers by focusing on the structure of various genres of composition and teaching stylistic techniques to elevate their writing.
Math: Grades K-4
Singapore Math
This is an inquiry based approach to math that emphasizes computational mastery and mathematical reasoning.
Bible: Grades K-3
The Purposeful Design Publications Bible is an elementary textbook series that provides multiple opportunities for students to choose to follow Jesus and develop a personal relationship with Him. Students will learn how to apply biblical truth to their lives as they memorize Scripture and learn about Christlike character. This series easily ties into Chapel and provides cross-curricular connections for students on a daily basis.
Grade 4
God’s Great Covenant: Old Testament 1 In 4th grade, students begin a general survey of the Old Testament, unfolding the narrative of God's faithfulness to his people. Students learn how the Old Testament stories begin to point us to the coming Savior, Jesus Christ.
Upper School Curriculum
Our 5th-8th grade classrooms are departmentalized by core subjects– English, Math, Science, History, and Bible and are aligned to continue with the content and skills begun in the Lower School. Our classical academic program for the late grammar and early logic stage is based on sound research and proven methods which include measuring benchmarks of learning for each grade level and frequent progress assessments to ensure mastery.
Upper school students are exposed to the purposeful use of technology via iPads (5-6) and Chromebooks (7-8) using carefully selected programs and platforms to supplement and enrich their learning as well as training in basic digital skills like like computer operations, file management, using word processing software, creating presentations, using the Internet, and managing spreadsheets.
English: Grades 5-8
Novel Studies
Students read the great classics of the literary canon through the lens of a biblical worldview.
Handwriting Without Tears (5-6) Using a multi-sensory approach, students practice letter formation reinforcing language-related skills. This practice ensures automatic recall of symbols for sounds, facilitating knowledge transfer as they progress. Students complete cursive training in 5th and 6th grades.
Shurley Grammar
This program is designed to help students master the parts of speech and sentence structure. Students learn definitions for the parts of speech through jingles that incorporate rhythm, rhyme, movement, and fun.
Institute for Excellence in Writing Using the four language arts—listening, speaking, reading, and writing, this comprehensive program trains students to become confident and competent communicators and thinkers by focusing on the structure of various genres of composition and teaching stylistic techniques to elevate their writing.
Math: Grades 5-8
Singapore Dimensions Math
An inquiry-based approach to math that emphasizes computational mastery and mathematical reasoning all focused on mastery, which is achieved through intentional sequencing of concepts.
Maneuvering the Middle (7-8) A standards-based math program aligned to both TEKS and CCSS. 8th graders who excel in mathematics have the opportunity to take Algebra I as a transferable high school credit.
History: Grades 5-8
Biblical and World History Timeline (5-6) 5th and 6th grade students review and master a chronological timeline of 160 important historical and biblical events and figures spanning from “Creation” up to “Modern America” through songs and motions. This serves as an important foundation for future biblical and historical studies.
The Story of the World (5-6)
This award-winning curriculum presents history from ancient times to the present through an engaging story approach. World Geography is incorporated into the curriculum as well as hands-on projects and writing assignments.
American Republic This course prepares students to become discerning citizens who learn from the successes and failures of the past to make wise decisions for today. Surveying the major events that have shaped American history, students pay special attention to cultural shifts and influences from the discovery of the New World, through the founding of the nation, up to the present day. A special emphasis is placed on the distinctive nature of American values and government and the importance of being an informed citizen.
Science: Grades 5-8
Apologia Science. Through hands-on experience, students use their critical thinking skills to bring a logical connection and order to their scientific knowledge. The curriculum covers the life sciences, earth sciences, and physical sciences.
Bible: Grades 5-7
God’s Great Covenant: New Testament 1 & 2 - Grade 5-7 In 5th grade, students complete a general survey of the Old Testament, continuing the journey of God's people as they become the nation of Israel. In 6th grade, they begin studying the New Testament, focusing on how Jesus is born and fulfills all God's promises through four units that emphasize four different names of Jesus: the Son of Man, God's Servant, the Messiah, and the Son of God. 7th grade students study the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles focusing on the spread of the gospel in the early church, seen as an adventure ("The Mission"), guided by the Holy Spirit ("Our Guide") and directed by God's Word ("The Map").
The Story of God - Grade 8 Brookstone’s 8th graders complete their biblical studies with a comprehensive Bible overview that uses 20 timeline events to teach the basic framework of the Bible and digging into the story of the King and His Kingdom. This course is designed to reveal how Jesus is woven throughout all of Scripture and how the Bible is one unified story.
Imago Dei Leadership Forum (IDLF): Grade 8
8th Grade students meet with Head of School John Murray two times a week discussing what it means to be an image-bearer of God in today’s world–from our identity, to the power of social media, to issues of body image, gender, and race, to name a few topics. Students also explore images, media worldviews, and history that omits, misrepresents, distorts and/or undermines the essentials of the Christian faith, as well as the images, media, and history that accurately presents the Gospel and the importance of loving others as fellow image-bearers.
IDLF culminates with a weeklong capstone trip to Washington, D.C.
As students get to know one another and wrestle with the important cultural issues of our day, our prayer is that they will begin to understand each other’s backgrounds and perspectives to better equip them to be a light for Jesus.
Enrichment Classes
Library
Our K-6th students meet with the librarian at least once a week and are given the opportunity to check out books. We teach our students to be discerning readers, so when they read secular literature, they can interpret it through a Christian worldview.
Visual and Performing Arts
Our K-8 students participate in visual and performing arts classes. Student artwork is often displayed throughout the school and student drama performances occur twice per year.
Physical Education (PE)
Our JK-8 students meet for Physical Education two to three times per week.
Electives
Our Upper School students meet once a week for an elective class of their choosing. Courses vary based on interest and availability but have included topics such as filmmaking, crocheting, ultimate frisbee, double-dutch, chess, board gaming, decoupage, journaling, and book club.
Technology
At Brookstone, we support the use of purposeful technology where the student uses it as a tool to accomplish an end ( ie. writing papers, doing research, creating presentations, etc.), and when certain platforms increase engagement with learning and material and allow for all students to participate.
Each classroom is equipped with state-of-the art Smartboards and a class set of iPads for enrichment and academic testing.
Give your child a top-notch,
Christ-centered education.
You don’t have to settle for a school with poor academics and values that don’t align with yours. Instead, empower them to live the lives they were created for.