Moravian Academy

Lower School FAQs

List of 7 frequently asked questions.

Q How would you describe the curriculum?

Moravian Academy is a college preparatory school that offers a challenging and accelerated curriculum—one that is innovative and enriched with field trips, special projects, technology, assemblies, art, music, physical education, library, and foreign language.
Q How much homework can students expect?

Beginning in first grade, there are about 30 minutes of homework each night. The homework increases each year with about 1½ hours for fifth grade students along with long term projects. However, the time it takes to complete assignments depends on how quickly the student attends to his or her tasks.
Q Does Moravian Academy have standardized testing?

We conduct standardized tests each year in the spring using the Comprehensive Testing Program from the Educational Records Bureau for grades one through five in language arts and mathematics. A School Readiness Test is given to kindergarten students in late May.
Q How is religion addressed at the Lower School?

Students in grades one through five attend chapel each Wednesday and are exposed to major world religions and cultures.
Q Are students involved in community service?

Community service is an important part of Lower School life. Our projects include a monthly food drive for the local food pantry. Each grade level also participates in special service projects throughout the school year.
Q How are parents involved in the school?

Parents may choose to participate in Parents' Association activities, volunteer to help with Lower School Sports Day and assist in the library and art room. We host a classroom visitation and Lovefeast Chapel service for fathers in the fall and for mothers in the spring. Parents are also invited as guest speakers to share their knowledge in an area being studied.
Q When do children start to wear uniforms?

Students begin to wear uniforms in first grade. We have formal uniforms for chapel and certain field trips and informal uniforms for regular days.

Gym uniforms are worn starting in fourth grade. Uniforms are purchased through Flynn O'Hara.

Spanish Immersion Program FAQs

List of 15 frequently asked questions.

Q Why explore Spanish Immersion for your child?

Research shows that multilingual students have a variety of educational and professional prospects from which to choose. Current and future generations of students who are multilingual will be well prepared to thrive in an increasingly global world. Early childhood is the best time to develop an understanding of diverse cultures, people, and perspectives, and optimize the ability to learn multiple languages.
Q What does research say about language immersion programs?

Research indicates that immersion students display increased abilities in native language skills, overall improved academic performance, creative problem-solving skills, intellectual flexibility, enhanced global awareness, and competitive advantages in the workforce as adults.
Q When do students enter the program?

Students enter the program beginning in kindergarten. Under special circumstances, students may also enter in first grade.
Q What is the admissions process?

The admissions process is identical to the process for all children applying for kindergarten. For each applicant, you must first submit a completed application form as well as teacher recommendation forms. Please indicate your interest in the program on the special insert enclosed with your application.

Next, we will schedule a two-hour classroom visit for your child and teachers will make observations. On the day of the visit, your child will also take the Kindergarten Inventory of Developmental Skills (KIDS) test.
Q Will the curriculum differ from other classrooms of that grade?

No. The curriculum will be the same as the English-speaking classes in that grade. The only difference in instruction will be the language utilized.
Q Do SIP students go to specials?

Yes. Students attend music, gym, art, science, and library classes taught by English-speaking teachers.
Q What role do parents play?

Parents play an important role in their child's growth and development. Parents are encouraged to read to their child in English daily for a minimum of 20 minutes. By valuing self-sufficiency, problem solving, and risk taking, parents can instill in their child independence with homework. Parents are also encouraged to utilize teacher webpages and participate in homework phone chains if needed.
Q How does Moravian Academy address English instruction in the immersion classes?

While students in English-speaking classes take their 20-minute daily Spanish class, the immersion group would be given English instruction by a teacher from an English-speaking classroom. Parents are also asked to read to their children every night for a minimum of 20 minutes.
Q How will my child's native English be supported?

Parents make a commitment to read to their children 15-20 minutes per night. The SIP students also receive daily English instruction.
Q How can parents of SIP students help with homework?

Many options are used by our SIP families which include consulting the web page that is updated daily by the teacher, using parent and classmate networks, and consulting the dictionary. Teachers make sure students understand the directions before dismissal.
Q Can you be from a non English-speaking home in SIP?

No. The program is open to children who are native English speakers. We believe it is important for our bilingual families to receive Moravian Academy’s curriculum in English.
Q What are the credentials for SIP teachers?

Teachers have an elementary education background with verifiable Spanish credentials. This includes Spanish fluency and near-to-native pronunciation, along with the same skills set in English.
Q What happens if a child cannot stay in the SIP? Where do they go?

There will be an agreement for our families stating that there is a specific window of time that the student must remain in the class. English-speaking classrooms will hold 16-18 students in the event that an immersion student needs to be transferred due to academic reasons.
Q What does the Middle School experience look like for SIP students?

SIP students have two choices regarding foreign language instruction in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades: continue in Spanish, completing Spanish I, II, III, and IV, OR begin a third language: French or Mandarin.
Q What does the Upper School experience look like for SIP students?

Students may continue Spanish instruction with the curriculum below OR pursue a third language: French or Mandarin.

Students in ninth and tenth grade can also take: Latin American Film, Latin American Short Story, Spanish Film, XX Century Spanish Literature through XXI Century.

Students in eleventh and twelfth grade can also: take AP Spanish Language courses equivalent to a fifth and sixth college level course in advanced composition and conversation; take AP Spanish Language and Culture; take AP Spanish Literature; enroll in a High School Scholars program at a local college.