Early Horizons

Just as language is learned at a very early age through a progression starting with largely unconscious observation, hypothesis, experimentation and induction; so too does the learning of the substance and mechanisms of the external world come into view. The earlier a child is exposed to information, the more likely they are to assimilate it into a knowledge base. The regular and well-explained introduction of new kinds of languages and experiences is another key factor in retaining information. Long-term memory storage is best accommodated by a positive yet rigorous learning environment where multiple forms of intellectual stimulation are effectively administered. We propose to focus on these learning mechanisms by introducing basic science concepts very early on in the child’s education. In the Early Horizons Educational program we introduce here, we propose to start teaching the fundamental language of chemistry followed by biology starting in the spring semester of Kindergarten class and progressing through each successive year with an increasing complexity of each discipline. All Summit Academy graduates will have had some form of chemical and biological training each and every year they attend. Also starting in the 1st grade, we will begin introducing the students to the use of the keyboard and mouse and the function of these tools to learn the alphabet, words of common usage, basic sentence structure and basic arithmetic.
As the students’ progress into the second grade more rigorous instruction of Chemistry will proceed and Biology will be introduced in the 3rd grade.
From 4th through 9th grade both a short section on Chemistry and Biology will be part of the student’s curriculum and occasionally supplemented with internet resources from learning foundations and the local universities where faculty will be approached for the service.
Starting at 10th grade and proceeding to the senior year and graduation from Summit, general chemistry and general biology courses will be offered each semester and these will be taught as Dual Credit classes in conjunction with Lewis-Clark State College. This will allow students to earn both high school and college credits. Besides general courses, each year there will also be an advanced course. These advanced courses will include: Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physiology, Microbiology and Physical Chemistry. Where appropriate, these courses may also have lab exercises.