Curriculum

The Norwood-Fontbonne Academy curriculum includes a Montessori Program and a creative, interactive Primary Program. The Montessori Pre-school begins with the three-year-old student and extends to the Junior Level Montessori, which concludes in third grade. The Primary Program originates in the Kindergarten year and extends to the eighth grade.  Religion, Integrated Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Music, Art, Physical Education, Library Science, Spanish, and Technology are subjects taught in both programs.  Students from these programs merge in the fourth grade.  NFA is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and The American Montessori Society.  As a part of its 2001 re-accreditation, NFA implemented a Service Learning component to the established Religion Curriculum.

The creation of the Service Learning curriculum evolves from the principals of Catholic Social Teaching and the central mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.. “to live and work so that all may be united with God and with one another”.  Students are immersed in grade- level themes and perform service around those themes at various mentor sites. Each student will have two Service Learning experiences and each mentor site will visit NFA at least once throughout the year as a part of Spirit Day or Human Dignity Day. Norwood-Fontbonne Academy has developed and nurtured Service Learning relationships with Holy Name School in Camden, Saint John’s Hospice, The Artman Home, Saint Hugh of Cluny School, Our Lady of Confidence School, Saint Joseph’s Villa, and Archbishop Ryan school for the Hearing Impaired.  Norwood-Fontbonne Academy is a leading elementary school in its implementation of Service Learning as a formal part of the Religion Curriculum.  Additionally, Service Learning has been extended in the seventh and eighth grades beyond the Religion Curriculum to include the Science and Social Studies Curriculum.  NFA students serve their community through water testing in the Wissahickon Creek and environmental clean-up at the Valley Forge National Park. NFA Outreach projects include educational assemblies which further sensitize students to the many needs of the world outside of Norwood-Fontbonne Academy.

Spanish is formally introduced to students in grades pre-school thru grade 6.  Spanish is taught as a major subject to students in grades 7 and 8.

Norwood-Fontbonne Academy encompasses in its programs various modes of teaching and includes educational best practices. Its experienced and highly trained faculty differentiates instruction to accommodate various learning styles and multiple forms of intelligence and also employs multiple and diverse forms of assessment. An Office of Learning Support exists to serve students who have different learning needs.

The Norwood-Fontbonne Academy curriculum is structured according to grade level with scope and sequence. Children are assigned to a grade level and are able to participate in whole group, small group, and individualized instruction, all facilitated by small class size.

The decision to place a child in a particular class or group rests with administration in consultation/collaboration with the faculty and parents.

Norwood Fontbonne Academy • 8891 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia PA 19118
Phone (215) 247-3811 Fax (215) 247-8405

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