A student’s path to academic success begins with the kindergarten program at Self Development Academy (SDA), with comments and testimonies heard over and over again from parents.
A case in point is SDA parent, Eva Ward. “I am shocked at how my son has advanced since the beginning of the year,” she stated. “His reading skills have grown tremendously. We are reading chapter books now. His character and confidence are developing, too.”
SDA
SDA, a public charter school serving students from kindergarten through grade eight, is known in the local community and statewide for its outstanding academic programs. Now in its 18th year, SDA has consistently been ranked among the top elementary and junior high schools in the state and nation. The success of SDA students is due to a visionary leader, Dr. Anjum Majeed, its dedicated faculty and staff, supportive parents and hardworking, diligent students.
The SDA Core Curriculum
SDA offers an accelerated curriculum. Students learn a minimum of one grade level ahead of the Arizona Department of Education standards. The SDA kindergarten curriculum emphasizes the two main areas of language arts and mathematics. The language arts curriculum focuses on phonemic awareness, reading fluency, reading comprehension, handwriting and grammar. At the end of the kindergarten year, students are reading fluently at the grade-one level and writing complete sentences, even creating their own storybooks. Number sense, addition and subtraction, fractions, patterns and the basics of time and money are components of the mathematics curriculum. During the kindergarten year, students master the concept of addition and subtraction and memorize math facts. By the end of the kindergarten year, SDA students are well prepared to continue with the accelerated curriculum as grade-one students.
Specials at SDA
In addition to laying a strong language arts and mathematics foundation, SDA offers weekly specials, including physical education, music, and art classes. The music class is lead by Mrs. Christy Porter, the music and violin teacher at SDA for more than five years. The students showcase their musical talents twice a year at the Winter Program and Kindergarten Promotion Ceremony. Each classroom at SDA has an interactive computer board allowing technology to be woven into curriculum, as well. Through specials, the kindergarten students develop other important skills, such as gross and fine motor and social skills.
The SDA Kindergarten Team
The success of the kindergarten program is due in large part to the SDA Kindergarten Team. The Kindergarten Team is made up of Mrs. Kathi Haschke, Mrs. Lori Redivo and Mrs. Kelli Wolfe. Kindergarten aides and other school personnel support the kindergarten program and students, too. The teachers and staff foster the high academic and personal standards of the program in a nurturing environment. Mrs. Ward speaks highly of the teachers, saying, “I tip my hat to the teachers for their high level of competence, confidence and care for the children.” The Kindergarten Team is passionate about educating children, many serving the SDA community for more than five years. The team is dedicated to being a special part of the students’ educational experiences.
Enroll now. Limited spaces are available for the 2018 – 2019 school year. For more information regarding SDA, or to arrange a tour, please contact the Front Office at (480) 641-2640.