Academic Program

CURRICULUM
Traditionally educated in a nurturing but challenging environment, Ijoba Shule students radiate confidence. The foundation for students development is the Yoruba concept of "Amaluwabi," which weaves together year-by-year and subject-by-subject the components of an Ijoba Shule education. Studies in music, dance, art and various languages are offered in the lower grades and gain rigor and nuance as our students mature. Math and Science move from acquiring facts to mentally challenging theories that require proof. Values and the character they impact are nurtured grade-by-grade.

RESEARCH SEQUENCE
Beginning in first grade and going forward to senior year of high school two essential processes- the scientific and engineering- to research are taught, practiced and refined in everyday classroom activities and especially participation through various research projects in various academic disciplines. In addition to research skills, writing and oral presentation skills are also taught.

LOWER SHULE
Ijoba Shules lower Shule is a place of place of nurture, excitement and academic rigor. Students discover the joy of learning and begin to acquire the skills and discipline of the successful student.

Our curriculum is interdisciplinary, creative and challenging while remaining loving in nature. Educators instruct in the areas of Reading, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science

Students see analyze, critique and recognize their own and each others work so that they develop the skills of discernment, as well as collective and personal standards of assessment. By doing so, they develop the ability to evaluate and develop their own sense of demonstrated excellence. They also learn how to be citizens of a community via their classroom interactions, during meditations, through the role modeling of the educators and older students, and through involvement from the earliest grades in service to others.

Our Lower Shule students learn about the life of the city and begin to discover and utilize its vast resources. Visiting museums, arboretums, theaters, galleries and universities helps our students make connections between their classroom learning and the outside world.

MIDDLE SHULE
The Middle Shule years (Grades 6-8) are a time of great change and growth, and the middle shule experience at Ijoba Shule is designed to give students precisely the guidance and support they need to negotiate these years successfully. At the core of the program is a dedicated and caring team of instructors and administrators who care about each student and who embrace the joys and challenges of working with this age group.

The curriculum builds on the foundation of lower shule and prepares explicitly for the challenges of upper shule. In addition to the comprehensive academic program, teachers focus on study skills, helping students become more aware of how they learn, and how they can best manage their time and increasingly complex responsibilities.

Students also become more involved in the life of the community outside of school. Service projects become more involved. Ijoba Shule’s location in the city helps make concepts of true community development and service come alive. Students become involved in co-curricular activities during and after school. They take their first cumulative exams and attend their first socials. At every stage during these transitory years, they encounter the warmth and support of a close community, united by Sankofa values of reAfrakanization, family, and nation-building

UPPER SHULE
We will be expanding to Upper Shule grade 9 in 2011-12. Contact us for details.

AFTER SHULE PROGRAM
Lower Shule (pre-K through 5th grade)
In the not to distant future, Lower Shule families will have the option of enrolling in our After-Shule Program, which offers further enrichment and experiences for students and convenience for parents. The program will be staffed by professional and highly skilled instructors and will provide choices that include storytelling, art and cooking classes, instrumental and music lessons (for an additional fee), a chorus, dance and a quiet homework room. Familys will find the program highly flexible; children may attend as many days each week as they choose. We plan to offer an early morning Pre-Shule drop-off option and a Vacation Care program on days when Shule is closed. Stay tuned.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Middle Shule (6th through 8th grades)
Scheduled to begin in the 2008-09 academic year, our co-curricular activities will be an integral part of each middle Shule students educational experience. It may include the Shule newspaper, theater group, student government, peer tutoring, movie night and more. In addition, every Middle Shule student will be required to participate in at least one season of after-school interscholastic athletics per year.

Omodebinrin (Girls) Sports
Fall: cross-country, soccer
Winter: basketball
Spring: track, softball

Omodekunrin (Boys) Sports
Fall: cross-country
Winter: basketball
Spring: track, baseball

Co-ed Sports
Winter: Swimming
Spring: Tennis

SUMMER ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

Click here for the Summer Reading List - Primary -PDF

Click here for the Summer Reading List - Intermediate-PDF

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If you need a PDF viewer, click here.

SHULE POLICIES AND GUIDELINES
The Ijoba Shule is a Sankofa institution, thus there is an emphasis on our students exhibiting pride via proper conduct, both personally and collectively, showing respect for the Creator by respecting all forms of life, living simply, and exhibiting self-discipline.

ELECTRONIC RESOURCES
This information will be coming soon. Check back for details later.