Elementary Campus Profile

School begins at 8:30 AM and ends at 2:45 PM for kindergarten and 3:15 PM for grades 1-5. 

FCS provides a progressive, research-supported education that reflects a biblical worldview. Guided Language Acquisition Design (GLAD), a research-based model, supports instruction across content areas that is rich in high-level vocabulary, promotes metacognition, encourages gradual release of responsibility, and embodies 21st-century learning. The GLAD model emphasizes solving one’s problems, respecting others, and making good choices. Metacognitive learners are able to think about their own learning: Does this make sense? How am I doing? What am I doing well? What can I do better?

FCS students in grades 2-8 are eligible to participate in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY). CTY requirements identify advanced academic talent in young people and then develop that talent so students maintain high academic standards throughout their school years. Participation in CTY can open up new resources and a new peer network for academically minded young people worldwide. Participation is highly encouraged at FCS.

Elementary students develop collaborative skills via fine arts, including a music class and an annual combined school (grades TK-5) musical production. All elementary students have a physical education class, which helps develop their skills, encourages health, and introduces them to various sports. Kindergarten attends once per week, while grades 1-5 attend twice per week.

Grades 4 and 5 have additional music opportunities to participate in the percussion, jazz, woodwinds, and handbell choir. Elementary students may be given the opportunity to participate in a professional-level Broadway musical produced by the secondary campus. Grades 4 & 5 have additional athletics opportunities, including tryouts for the elementary basketball teams, which participate in a local public school league.

Our elementary students take two field trips per year. These field trips support classroom learning by meeting content-area standards in a vibrant and fresh learning environment. Upper-elementary students each participate in an overnight experience.

Studying the science and history of the state's Gold Rush, fourth graders spend the night in the California foothills for an authentic 1840s experience. The USS Hornet aircraft carrier is the site of the Grade 5 overnight trip to study the history of World War II through the life of service representatives.

Through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of contests, including the National Spelling Bee for grades 3-5, Speech Meet for grades 1-5, and Math Olympics for grades 1-4. Students in grades 2-5 devise, construct, and complete individual science projects that are judged and displayed at our annual on-campus Science Expo.

The Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment is a series of computer-adaptive assessments that measure what students know and what they are ready to learn. MAP assessment is administered three times per year to measure student growth.

The Norm Grade Level Mean RIT is the average score for students in the same grade across the country who completed the MAP assessment for that content area. FCS students at each grade level scored above the Norm Grade Level Mean RIT score in each subject. Learn more about MAP.