Lower School

The years spent at our Lower School are times of growth and learning for our students. We encourage education not only in the classroom, but outside as well. Students are allowed to socialize in centers in the classroom and at lunch time. This gives the students much needed time to be themselves with their friends. Field trips, Saxon Math, enrichments, public speaking opportunities are just a few of the things your child with experience with us. Math and Science classes are supported weekly with labs where new knowledge is reinforced through hands on application. Grades second through fifth offer the use of PowerSchool in which teachers and parents chart studentsʼ progress. All students participate in school wide activities such as Homecoming and sport Pep Assemblies. The average student to teacher ratio in Lower School is 14:1. Lower class sizes foster our family atmosphere and encourage your child to learn better. Your family will become part of the Cougar family from the moment you enroll and we will treat you as such!

Pre-Kindergarten

A studentʼs initial experience with education is vital to how he or she perceives learning and continues to experience the quest for knowledge. Children are introduced to academics, socialization, and the foundations of learning by nurturing instructors who carefully encourage each student to learn at a pace appropriate for his or her development level. The Pre-K program focuses on cognitive, physical, social and emotional development and exposes these early learners to academics, arts, languages, technology, health and nutrition to prepare the total child for lifelong learning. Students are enveloped in the Cougar tradition from the start with participation in Homecoming and in sport pep assemblies. In Pre-K, students are given the opportunity to enjoy enrichment classes daily. These enrichments include, Spanish, Technology, Library, Art, and Music. Students also participate in daily physical education classes. Students are also allowed to use the laptop, digital camera and other technology aids on their own to enhance their learning. The student to teacher ratio in Pre-K is 10 to 1.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten is such an exciting, important time in the life of a child. Many of our students are transitioning from our Pre-K program, but some are just beginning their CA journey. Students continue their education in enrichment areas of Spanish, Technology, Library, Art and Music, as well as their daily physical education class. They focus more intently on correct letter formation, usage and reading skills. They also start using Saxon math which teaches them the early stages of addition and subtraction, counting to 100 by 1ʼs and 10ʼs and telling time. Studentsʼ social skills are enriched in the “Kindergarten/Senior Buddy” program, in which each Kindergartener is matched with a Senior for the year. These partners participate in fun activities, mentoring, and, finally, an exciting field trip to the zoo. This program not only encourages socialization for the Kindergarten student, but also teaches kindness and responsibility for the Senior. Public speaking is encouraged through show and tell and participation in school-wide programs such as Veteranʼs Day and Christmas. Kindergarteners also participate in the Q & U wedding in which the boys act at the Qʼs (quarterbacks) and the girls act as the Uʼs (queens) and they are ʻmarriedʼ complete with guests comprising the rest of the alphabet. Itʼs a unique experience and one they donʼt soon forget.

First Grade

In first grade our studentʼs transition to the main academic building which houses grades 1 through 5. Students are continuing to enhance their reading skills with guided reading groups using authentic childrenʼs literature that focuses on the individual childʼs reading level. Promethean boards are used in every lower school class room to enhance the learning experience. The enrichment classes are continued with the addition of math and science lab. Integrated science and social studies units increase studentsʼ interest in learning. Hands on activities in every subject promote participation in learning. Daily journaling, reading incentives, centers, Saxon math, and various school programs help to round out the Clarksville Academy curriculum. Field trips to places like the Roxy, Pumpkin Patch, and Nashville Childrenʼs Theatre are also offered. Public speaking is strongly encouraged with participation in the First Grade Pet Show. Students are encouraged to bring a favorite pet (real or stuffed) and tell an audience of the entire lower school and their parents about it. This is a lifelong memory for our students.

Second Grade

Second grade continues our strong tradition of hands on learning. Students will continue their enrichment classes, the daily physical education class, and Saxon math. In the fall, students participate in a water cycle project. Students are encouraged to learn all about the water cycle process and construct a 3-D model of it. Students will also read and learn about poetry. Each student is encouraged to write his/her own poetry and these are compiled to publish a class poetry book. The students then participate in a poetry reading for their parents and grandparents. In the spring the focus shifts to social studies and history with a Monument and Memorial project. Students are required to choose a monument or memorial in Washington D.C. and build a model of it, as well as give an accompanying oral presentation. This exercise encourages an appreciation for our past leaders and strengthening creative expression through artistic ability and develops their public speaking.

Third Grade

Third grade is an exciting year for students. They learn many new skills and concepts that havenʼt been previously taught such as the memorization of multiplication facts. Clarksville Academy is one of very few schools who continue to teach the importance of cursive handwriting. This skill is taught and used throughout their third grade year. Organization is another skill that CA feels it is important for each student to learn. At the beginning of the school year, B.E.E. books (Bring Everything Everyday) are given to students. These binders contain places for homework, ʻleave at homeʼ information, very important information, weekly newsletters, and a money pouch to help students stay organized on a daily basis. Weekly application labs in science, math & writing encourage studentʼs growth in these areas but also coordinate with classroom learning. Weekly and seasonal writing projects are assigned and students are encouraged to share their writing with their classmates by reading aloud in the “Authorʼs Chair”. Monthly book reports and classroom reading incentives encourage a love of reading for the student. Field trips are taken to the Roxy, Nashville Childrenʼs Theatre and Dunbar Cave.

Fourth Grade

Fourth grade continues with a strong emphasis in reading and writing with monthly book reports, daily reading journals, 6+1 writing traits, persuasive essays, personal narratives and much, much more. In science students are asked to develop a leaf collection and a power point presentation about astronomy and space. A field trip to the Huntsville Space & Rocket Center is an experience our students donʼt soon forget. Social Studies classes do a complete study of the US by region, including research and projects on each state, which encourage a stronger knowledge and appreciation of our country.  Novel studies encompass all genres and styles of writing. The continued use of Saxon math introduces students to challenging unfamiliar math concepts. In their weekly technology class, students are asked to type their final writing pieces, research topics, sharpen basic keyboard skills and prepare a power point presentation. Math & science labs continue our encouragement of hands on learning.    Field trips are made to exciting places like the Space & Rocket Center, Nashville Symphony, Nashville Childrenʼs Theatre, Roxy Regional Theatre, Historical Plantation, and the Smith Trahern Mansion.    Involvement in 4-H is part of our fourth grade curriculum and encourages public speaking, demonstrations, and community awareness with service projects.

Fifth Grade

Fifth grade is the ending of the lower school era for students. In the fifth grade students are taken on a three day trip along with the sixth grade to Land Between the Lakes. Here they learn team building skills, canoeing, personal responsibility while completing a nature project and learning about animal habitation in an outdoor setting. Students also participate in the eight week D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program taught by the Clarksville Police Department. Students are required to write an essay at the conclusion of the program in order to graduate. CA fifth graders participate in Montgomery County 4-H. This program provides educational experiences for young people to gain knowledge, develop life skills, live healthy lives, make intelligent career choices and form positive attitudes. Students begin to strengthen community involvement with new programs. Students continue to learn Saxon math, English, vocabulary, Spanish, take part in enrichment activities and have physical education daily.

Lower School Technology

Students today know more about computers than most parents. They can play games on our phones, browse the internet, create and send emails and so much more. At Clarksville Academy we like to foster that excitement for technology by providing each Lower school class with a once a week opportunity to have a technology class. This class provides computer literacy, teaching younger students that technology is an ever-increasing part of our society. Through a hands-on approach, using interactive games, internet research projects, and other available technologies are used for instruction in this course. The Lower School students are exposed to fun and educational experiences in the computer lab, while incorporating classroom subject area projects to reinforce the connectivity of all learning.

Lower School Art/Music

Each lower school student is offered the opportunity for art and music class at least once a week. These skills are used to spark their creative juices and encourage an outside-of-the-box-style thinking. Our lower school music teacher creates a fun, upbeat atmosphere that will have even the quietest child singing loudly! Songs learned here foster learning in the classroom as well. Clarksville Academy provides many opportunities for students to showcase their artistic talents with yearly programs such as Veteranʼs Day, Grandparentʼs Day and the Christmas Program. In art students are encouraged to express themselves creatively. All mediums are explored including painting, drawing, and sculpture. Students gain essential skills like creative thinking from exposure to the arts.

Lower School Spanish

Students in grades Pre-K through fifth grade are involved in our Spanish program which allows them to learn another language and basic culture of other countries. Spanish is taught to Pre-K once a week and to the other lower school grades twice a week. The curriculum for Spanish builds every year, starting with Pre-K. However, if a new student is introduced to Clarksville Academy at anytime during their lower school years, they are able to easily incorporate themselves into the learning environment. Students learn through various ways such as group projects, labeling, songs, or practicing their conversational skills. Early exposure to a second or third language assists the student in gaining confidence with both the written language and the conversational one as well.