Citizens Academy has developed a
transformative school culture that is the foundation of our success. The
Citizens Academy Way (The CA Way) is a set of
high academic and behavioral expectations that promote a sense of
ambition, personal responsibility, and a 'no excuses' attitude in all of our students. Students are expected to come to school on time, in uniform, and prepared to learn, and to treat themselves and others with respect at all times. We teach students that their behavior is their choice and that all choices have consequences. Positive choices earn positive consequences and negative choices earn negative consequences. We give consequences in a nurturing manner to teach each student that we want them to succeed and are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that they succeed. The CA Way lays a strong foundation for our students to succeed in high school, college, and beyond.
Unique Elements
Citizens Academy pioneered a number of innovative programs to meet the individual needs of our students.
Home Visits
Teachers visit each student and family at home in the days before school begins. These visits help develop relationships and set mutual expectations early.
MAPs - My Achievement Plans
Every student receives an individualized academic plan detailing strategies for success. Plans are updated with input from parents throughout the school year.
Extended Day
Citizens’ Academy’s school day is from 8:00 am to 3:50 pm. This extended day (196 instructional hours above the state standard) allows for two hours of daily literacy instruction and two hours of daily math instruction.
SMART Program
A six week after school and Saturday academic program that give students additional instruction in reading and math by classroom teachers.
Before and After School Program
The Before & After School Enrichment Program provides enriched activities that promote our students’ emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Programming is offered before school (6:30 am - 8:00 am) and after school (4:00 pm - 6:00 pm). Activities include: Chess Club, Science Club, Spelling Bee, Citizens Academy Talent Showcase, Tai Chi, Intramural sports, and African Drumming and Dance.
Citizens Academy has extensive academic intervention staff in place to ensure that all of our students succeed, including:
3rd-4th Grade Literacy Specialist who provides additional literacy instruction for our lowest learners
3rd-4th Grade Math Specialist who provides additional math instruction for our lowest learners
2 Special Education Teachers
K-2nd Grade Reading Interventionist
over 30 volunteer reading and math tutors
All incoming Kindergartners are given a Kindergarten readiness screening in the spring. Children in need of academic or social skills development are enrolled a 6-week summer program with 8 follow-up sessions throughout the school year. Children and families receive instruction on academic and social readiness from Kindergarten teachers.Academic InterventionsCitizens Academy’s school day is from 8:00 am to 3:50 pm. This extended day (196 instructional hours above the state standard) allows for two hours of daily literacy instruction and two hours of daily math instruction.Every student receives an individualized academic plan detailing strategies for success. Plans are updated with input from parents throughout the school year. Teachers visit each student and family at home in the days before school begins. These visits help develop relationships and set mutual expectations early.
Our Curriculum
Academic Curriculum
Citizens Academy’s academic curriculum is designed to prepare our students to succeed in college and beyond. Our "Assess, Plan, Teach" model uses data to drive differentiated instruction and meet the individual needs of all of our students. Teachers use Harcourt Trophies for Literacy, Everyday Math, McGraw-Hill Science, and Harcourt Social Studies as the basis for instruction. In addition to daily language arts, math, science, and social studies instruction, students receive weekly instruction in music, the visual arts, and physical education.Citizenship Curriculum
Seven virtues - responsibility, respect, perseverance, honesty, generosity, courage, and loyalty - form the basis of Citizens Academy’s approach to citizenship development. The cornerstone of our citizenship curriculum is the CA Way, a set of high academic and behavioral expectations for our staff, students, and families. The CA Way creates a high expectations, "no excuses" school culture where we do not accept anything less than our students’ best in their academic performance, dress, attitude, and social decorum. Consequences are given in a nurturing manner to help students understand that we want them to succeed and are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure their success. Monthly citizenship assemblies feature students performing original plays, poetry, or songs that illustrate how they encounter our virtues in their daily lives. Assemblies culminate in the Citizen of the Month awards ceremony, where students who have exemplified good citizenship are recognized.Our Assessments
Citizens Academy uses multiple assessments throughout the school year to improve and individualize student instruction, including the Ohio Achievement Assessments (OAA), Scantron Performance Series (a computer adjusted, nationally-normed assessment), internal short-cycle assessments, DIBELS, Diagnostic Reading Assessment, and Kindergarten Readiness Screening. Assessments are used to:
Demonstrate individual student progress toward meeting state standards
Guide individual and class instruction
Evaluate the effectiveness of teaching methods and the curriculum
Identify students with special needs
Measure the effectiveness of academic interventions
Inform our program development and strategic planning processes
Student Reading Videos
The following videos demonstrate reading mastery at various grade levels. In each video, the material is new to the students.
1st Grade
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade
