Curriculum
Academics
Sandpiper offers an engaging curriculum rooted in the Arizona Career and College Readiness Standards and delivered through research-supported instruction. Our teachers continue to explore new avenues to help students achieve their potential in all academic areas:
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Our literacy instruction utilizes a phonics-based program and a workshop approach from the Columbia Reading and Writing Project to help our students become excelling readers.
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Our balanced math instruction helps engage all students and offers the opportunity to accelerate when appropriate.
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FOSS science kits create a hands-on approach to the world of science, and our dedicated science lab gives students and teachers the necessary space to explore the world.
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In addition to having regular access to a complete computer lab, our students use iPads and a laptop cart to enhance their academic experiences.
In addition to our commitment to what students know and can do, we are also invested in the type of people they will become. Our citizenship and character program helps promote values and pro-social behavior. Make Your Day is our management system that reinforces expectations in a consistent manner, and our Character Education program supports student growth through direct instruction and enrichment on specific values.
Third grade parents, please be aware of Arizona's Move on When Reading legislation.
Physical Education
Students in all grade levels participate in physical education activities as part of the special areas rotation. All activities are engaging, exciting and teach healthy attitudes about exercise and health. Students learn to compete with each other but also strive for personal growth in sports, strength and technical skills.
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support is a systems approach to establish the social culture and the behavioral supports needed for all children in a school to achieve both social and academic success (Sugai and Horner, 2002). Our Sandpiper community believes that every child can be successful if provided the right conditions.
Technology
Students 2nd grade and up have 1-to-1 Chromebooks. Second-grade and lower-grade students have access to iPads.