7-12 Learning
Great Valley School District's educational program is guided by our mission statement and its focus on the whole child. We strive to engage our students in learning that is rigorous and relevant while also igniting their interests and passions. Learn more about the core areas of our curriculum, as well as about special areas, below.
7-12 Core Content Areas
English
The secondary language arts program utilizes a readers and writers workshop model in which reading, literature study, writing, speaking, and research skills are integrated at each grade level. All students are encouraged to achieve high academic standards through reading independently, reading critically, analyzing and responding to literature and nonfiction text, writing in various forms for a variety of audiences, producing compositions of high quality, speaking proficiently, and using research skills. Students read and respond to a variety of literature in book clubs where they also learn to analyze the craft of literature. Students write personal narratives, informative pieces, argument pieces, and creative stories, poems, or plays. In addition, they learn how to respond to each other's writing and to revise and edit their own work during writing workshops.
Math
The math program includes activities, tasks, and discourse that provide a framework for the development of mathematical power and a growth mindset in all learners. Mathematical power (NCTM, 2000) is evident in learners that exhibit conceptual and procedural understandings as they communicate mathematically, reason logically, problem-solve, and exhibit a disposition to persevere. The emphasis of the math curriculum is on numbers and operations, algebraic concepts, geometry, measurement, data, and probability.
Science
Students are exposed to life, physical, environmental, and earth science concepts aligned to the PA State Standards. The science program engages students in constructing a scientific understanding of the world around them by asking questions, developing models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing data, solving problems, and constructing explanations.
Social Studies
Social Studies integrates the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence and allow students to make informed decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society. Students engage in historical thinking by raising questions, examining primary and secondary source documents, reviewing historical context, analyzing multiple points of view, and participating in discussions as they investigate events related to anthropology, archeology, economics, geography, history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, and sociology.
The Great Valley Board of School Directors approved a revised social studies curriculum for the 2023-2024 school year. The changes apply to the curriculum for students in grades K-9. Click here to learn more.