Curriculum development in the New Castle Area School District is a continual and dynamic process making an effective academic program of studies available to our students. Various content areas are at different levels of the design, implementation and evaluation stages of curriculum development. The following is a listing of the various stages in the curriculum development process. This cycle is a guide and may be impacted and changed based on assessment data and the needs of our students. All phases of curriculum development utilize Pennsylvania Department of Education Standards Aligned System (SAS).
1. Research Phase—During this phase, teachers gather research, examine student performance data, visit schools with quality programs, attend conferences and workshops, conduct surveys where appropriate, review pilot materials, review the current curriculum guides, share this information at grade level and departmental meetings and set the direction for the curriculum for the next five years.
2. Pilot/Write Phase—During this phase, teachers may pilot different programs, strategies and materials they are considering for implementation, review and textbook and resources. and write the revised curriculum. The curriculum will be developed by unit and will include: appropriate grade level(s), length of course, materials and resources, the standards being addressed, understandings, essential questions, assessments, instructional strategies/procedures and differentiation.
3. Implementation—During this phase, teachers will implement the new curriculum, monitoring strengths and needs of the curriculum and/or materials throughout the year.
4. Monitoring and Revision—During this phase, teachers will implement modifications that they observed as areas of need from the implementation phase. Curriculum writers will make these changes within the curriculum.
5. Continue to monitor—During this phase, the monitoring continues and departments may meet to identify any areas that may need additional support or revision.
6. Evaluation—During this phase, teachers will evaluate the impact of their curriculum on student achievement.
General Overview of Academic Programs
We use best practices to give our students the building blocks for a strong foundation in literacy and mathematics. In grades K-8 ELA classrooms, we have implemented the HMH Into Reading and Into Literature Program. In K-8 Mathematics classrooms, we have implemented the Eureka Squared Math Program. Our k-8 Math curriculum is also enhanced by using the following resources: Get More Math and Zearn. Students in ELA and Math classrooms participate in assessments and intervention is incorporated to meet all students’ needs. In addition to implementing researched based programs and practices for reading and math, we are committed to the whole child. Social and Emotional Learning is an integral part of education. We have adopted the Second Step Program to help students build social-emotional skills such as building positive relationships, managing emotions, making decisions, and setting goals.
New Castle Area School District offers a variety of STEAM, Honors, Accelerated, and Advanced Placement Courses. For more information on courses in the Junior/Senior High School, please click HERE.
Opportunities to Highlight at NCASD:
PJAS – Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science – PJAS is the State Science Fair where individual students (guided by their science teachers) design, experiment and present their independent science research projects to a panel of adult scientists, competing regionally and state-wide.
College in High School Program through Seton Hill University – New Castle Sr. High School’s “College in High School Program” is designed to accelerate top students to college-level academic preparation while taking high level high school courses. The program leads to actual college credits earned for freshmen level courses which are required by most universities. Our students can transfer these credits to the college or university of their choice.
The Princeton Review – SAT Prep Course – In an effort to provide students the best possible preparation for the SAT exam, the school district developed a partnership with the renowned Princeton Review. The Princeton Review is a premiere SAT Prep program that focuses on learning how to read effectively, improving vocabulary, strengthening writing, and developing problem- solving abilities. To purchase the Princeton Review individually would cost close to $1,000. New Castle Sr. High School provides this impactful program totally FREE to our students.
PSAT – The District pays the registration fees for all 10th grade students to take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT) in October. The PSAT is a national exam that measures academic skills that a student will need for college.
Penn State Talent Search – Funded by the US Department of Education and administered by Penn State University, first generation students in grades 7 -12 have the opportunity to participate in the Penn State Talent Search Program.
JROTC – The U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) is one of the largest character development and citizenship programs for youth in the world.