Calvert Academic and Calvert Scholastic

Two versions of the Calvert curriculum help you choose the appropriate instructional focus for your child

What are the differences by grade level?

Every child has a distinctive learning style and unique instructional needs. We offer two versions of the Calvert curriculum to address those varying needs--each providing a different instructional focus in the key subject areas. Students in Fourth through Eighth Grades may be enrolled in either Calvert Academic or Calvert Scholastic. Academic and Scholastic cover the same subjects with a different emphasis and both versions provide a complete academic experience for your child.

Calvert Academic

Our Academic curriculum is the traditional instruction with the rigorous pace that you have come to expect from Calvert. Students enrolled in Academic courses cover more topics in history and science; write additional, more complex compositions; and complete more advanced work with literature selections.

Calvert Scholastic

The Scholastic curriculum was developed to provide an added foundation in grammar, composition, reading comprehension, and critical thinking. Its instructional focus meets the needs of students who require extra support in these key subject areas through additional review and skill reinforcement. Students enrolled in Scholastic courses receive the same challenging Calvert curriculum, but are given more time on each subject area by covering fewer topics within some subjects.

Which Version is Right for My Child?

Calvert's Placement Counselors can assist you in determining whether Calvert Academic or Calvert Scholastic is the most appropriate for your student through placement testing. Students can freely transition between Academic and Scholastic courses from year to year. All students enrolled in Calvert Academic or Calvert Scholastic use the same Calvert Math course. You can tailor either course by selecting the appropriate level of math for your child.

For added assurance that your child is progressing appropriately through the course, the Advisory Teaching Service and the Calvert Test Series are both available for the Academic and Scholastic versions of the course. In addition, students enrolled in Calvert Interactive featuring ATS may also choose between Academic and Scholastic.

Whichever curriculum version you choose, you can be confident that your child is receiving a complete academic experience that will fully prepare him or her for the following year.

Is Calvert Scholastic easier than Calvert Academic?

A Calvert course could never be described as "easy", however, the difference in instructional focus offered through Calvert Scholastic makes a Calvert education more accessible to more students.  Calvert Scholastic and Calvert Academic cover the same content areas, adhere to the same high Calvert standards, and feature materials that are all on grade level.  The difference is that the Calvert Scholastic Curriculum is paced in a way that gives students more time to focus on some of the fundamentals of language arts instruction. Be assured that, when your student has completed a Calvert Scholastic course, he or she will have mastered the same skills as a student who has completed a Calvert Academic course.

What are the differences by Grade Level?

Fourth Grade

• Reading features increased emphasis on vocabulary and critical thinking skills and less emphasis on legends
• Science covers fewer topics to allow for added instruction
• History features modifications to the lessons to focus on an understanding of history
• Spelling features more practice and review activities
• Grammar has same pacing as Academic course with more instructional support in the lessons
• Geography includes more instruction on key concepts
• Composition features continued emphasis on graphic organizers with enhanced instruction and modifications to the topics
• Phonics continues to be optional and mirrors the Academic course
• Art and Picture Study mirror the Academic course

Fifth Grade

• Reading focuses on five novels instead of seven
• Science covers fewer topics to allow for added instruction
• History concentrates on the first Americans and European exploration through the Civil War
• Spelling features fewer words per week to ensure mastery
• Grammar offers an added lesson each week
• Geography mirrors Academic course
• Composition features increased emphasis on writing process and shape planners
• Art History concentrates on key developments in painting
• Art complements the Art History course

Sixth Grade

• Reading focuses on 4 novels and 2 poets instead of 5 novels and 3 poets
• Science covers fewer topics to allow greater emphasis on topics covered
• History pace adjusted to allow more time on key historical events and concepts
• Spelling features fewer words per week to ensure mastery
• Grammar offers an added lesson each week
• Geography mirrors Academic course
• Composition has a different pace with added emphasis on writing process
• Art History concentrates on key developments in sculpture
• Art complements the Art History course

Seventh Grade

• Reading centers on 2 novels, a play, a diary, and a book of poems, whereas the Academic version includes another novel
• Science focuses on core topics in greater depth
• History covers the fall of Rome through the Age of Exploration and dovetails into 8th Grade course
• Spelling features fewer words per week to ensure mastery
• Grammar includes some concepts that are not tested
• Geography mirrors Academic course
• Composition features an added class period each week
• Art History concentrates on key developments in architecture
• Art complements the Art History course

Eighth Grade

• Reading features 2 new novels in place of David Copperfield
• Science includes pacing adjustment and lesson modification
• History concentrates on key topics in U.S. History
• Spelling program is the same as Academic
• Grammar features slower pace and more instruction on parts of speech
• Vocabulary focuses on fewer words
• Composition course allows for more time on the writing process and features fewer assignments