ACADEMICS

Science Program

• NPES’ Science program is teacher designed (2010) to specifically fit the needs and the culture of North Park’s community. The scope and sequence is based on the National Science Teachers Association standards as well as the Illinois State Standards.
• The program is broken down into four quarters representing four strands of science; Physical Science, Human Body and Health Science, Earth and Space Science, and Life Science.
• Each grade has one or two units per quarter that focuses on the designated science branch. Topics are spiraled among the grade levels providing ample opportunities for cross-curricular and cross-grade level collaboration.  For example, kindergarten and 4th grade students study the life cycle. Baby chicks are raised in the kindergarten classroom, while 4^th graders partner with kindergartners to study how the chicks grow and develop.
• The hallway displays, field trips, guest speakers and class projects are more streamlined, thus allowing for students to learn from each other and to teach each other.