Curriculum & Assessment

The learning environment at Carman encompasses a wide variety of developmentally appropriate activities, teaching methods, and technologies.

From our PreK/K students working in their outdoor classroom and garden to our 5th–8th grade students creating videos with green screens and operating a 3D printer, we utilize unique and creative methodologies to bring learning to life.

Our curriculum capitalizes on the God-given curiosity of students through teacher-led instruction. Teachers love incorporating student-centered activities — such as hands-on exploration, labs, music, art, and technology — to guide students in discovering the world around them.
Carman's curriculum is in harmony with the philosophy of the North American Division (NAD) of Seventh-day Adventists and is based on the NAD Elementary Standards and recommended curricula.
- Standards define what learners should know (content) and be able to do (skills), and serve as the framework for our curricula. In NAD Seventh-day Adventist schools, standards reflect the Adventist worldview across the K–12 curriculum, as well as the integration of national and state standards. Click the STANDARDS tab above to learn more.
Teachers regularly use a variety of formative and summative assessments to adapt instructional content and practices. This allows teachers to ensure they are providing effective instruction and that students are acquiring skills and mastering standards. Click the GRADING tab above to learn more.

Textbooks & ProGrams

Click each image to learn more about some key programs:

Encounter Bible (K-8)
Pathways English-Language Arts (1-8)
Saxon Phonics (K-2)
LWT Handwriting & Writing (PK-K)
ByDesign Science (1-8)
History/Social Stuides (1-8)
Big Ideas Math : Modeling Real Life (K-8)
Accelerated Reader/STAR Reading (K-8)
Reading Eggs/MathSeeds (K-2)

Report cards will be issued following the end of each of the four quarters.
After the first grading period, parent-teacher conferences will be scheduled by the school office to discuss the progress and initial assessments of each student.
During the following three quarters, either parents or teachers may request a conference at any time they feel would be beneficial to the progress of a student.
- In addition, when deemed necessary, formal conferences may be scheduled by the school office at the end of the third quarter.
- Report cards will be hand-delivered to parents or mailed to the home address.

Most student work will be sent home weekly for parents, however particular assessments or assignments may be retained by the teacher in order to build a portfolio of the student’s work.

Grades are weighted to give priority to performance rather than practice. This ensures that students are given ample opportunity to practice new skills and acquire new concepts without negatively impacting their grades.
- Homework, classwork, and formative assessments are all opportunities for students to practice.
- Summative assessments, projects, reports, and papers are opportunities for students to demonstrate mastery and are weighted more heavily when determining grades.
- To ensure academic equity and developmentally-appropriate grading, grade weighting percentages may vary.

More about Grading