New Vistas Center for Education - Curriculum
Available Classes
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All Day Preschool/PreK
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Kindergarten
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1st-6th Grade
Summer
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Summer Day School
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Summer Enrichment Classes
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PSAT/SAT Prep Classes
New Vistas Home Reading Program
One of the programs which sets our school apart from others is our Individualized Reading Program. Staying true to our founder’s mission, beginning in preschool, each child is taught readiness skills, monitored for mastery, and begin a formal reading program when ready, regardless of their age. Our Individual Home Reading Program is one of a kind! All children, preschool through 6th grade, meet individually three times weekly with a Reading Specialist, who directs, monitors and plans a home reading program uniquely suited to their abilities. Benjamin Franklin said, “An investment in education always pays the best interest.” We at New Vistas know this is true.
Preschool Classes
New Vistas provides exemplary educational opportunities for preschool and kindergarten students within a structured, positive and academic environment. Highly skilled and nurturing teachers work with students within small classes to develop: phonetic skills, pre-reading/reading skills, individual home reading programs, oral and written language, large and small motor skills, math
foundations, appreciation of countries and their cultures,
art and music activities, following directions, task completion, and creative problem solving. We'd love to show you how special we are!
Email us at newvistasaz@aol.com to schedule a tour or make an appointment.
New Vistas Center for Education offers a wide variety of Preschool options for children as young as 3 years old:
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All Day Preschool, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please refer to our registration form for age requirements and additional information.
In Preschool, PreK and Kindergarten, our students have a 'Country Study' program where students have an in-depth study of various countries.
Click here for the 2020 - 21 Country Study list.
Kindergarten
Our Kindergarten is heads and tails above the norm. First, our Kindergarten curriculum is a full day of educational and play activities. It is peppered with our winning philosophy which is to encourage the growth of individual students to enable them to fulfill their own potential. We believe that each child has talents and gifts and our commitment is to find that area and help the child experience success. As they demonstrate readiness they will learn to read - and learn to read well. Concepts of beginning mathematics will also be introduced - and all in an atmosphere of fun, acceptance, and celebration of their individual gifts. Our 4:1 student to teacher ratio enables us to totally individualize their curriculum.
In Preschool, PreK and Kindergarten, our students have a 'Country Study' program where students have an in-depth study of various countries.
Primary School - Grades 1st and 2nd
We have a very unique and wonderful first and second grade program. Our students are grouped in math, spelling, and phonics. Many parents ask us: “What does grouping mean?” When we assess each child’s level and ability, we are able to place them in small groups where the teacher meets with the students and instructs the group (usually four to five students) with a lesson plan
developed just for them. During this time, the rest of the class works independently on an assignment which has been explained prior to beginning groups. Each classroom has a full-time instructional aide that helps answer student’s questions while the teacher is giving group instruction.
Teaching children in this manner allows the teacher to identify strengths and areas that might need extra instruction. This proven method of success allows children to grow at their own pace, lessens anxiety when a child struggles, and builds self-confidence. Teachers are able to quickly identify what each child needs and tailor make their lesson plans to fit the needs of their students, rather than simply going through the material. Groups are monitored and evaluated for appropriate placement of each child throughout the school year. Many students work at grade levels several years ahead of their own. At New Vistas we know; children who are taught at their individual level are fully engaged in the learning process and do not become bored in school.
Our core curriculum includes language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. Our students attend science in our science lab from Kindergarten through 6th grade, twice weekly. In addition, each classroom studies computers, Spanish, art, music and P.E. Our staff of nearly 100 offers a student to staff ratio of 4:1. This greatly enhances the integrity of the educational program we are proud to offer at New Vistas.
Middle School - Grades 3 through 6
New Vistas Center for Education stands out among educational institutions because of its unique approach to the classroom structure. When students begin school in the fall, they are quickly given diagnostic tests by their classroom teachers in order to assess their current ability level. A couple of weeks into the school year, the New Vistas Testing Team will administer the Sequential Tests
of Educational Progress, S.T.E.P. test. The tests are scored immediately and very shortly thereafter, shared with the student’s classroom teacher. An error analysis is done to determine the specific math concepts that the child has mastered, along with any that need more focus. Using this data, teachers are able to determine if a child should be moved to a higher level of math or perhaps moved into a different small group in one of our core curriculum areas.
Each spring all students in grades K-6 are given the S.T.E.P. test in order to determine academic growth for the year. New Vistas students consistently score at least two or more years above the national norms. Our core curriculum includes language arts, mathematics, and science. Our students attend science weekly in our science laboratory. In addition, each classroom studies science, social studies, computers, Spanish, music and P.E. Our staff of nearly 100 offers a student to staff ratio of 4:1. This greatly enhances the integrity of the educational program we are proud to offer at New Vistas Center for Education.