Specialties

In addition to our core curriculum, we offer enrichment classes and programs for all grades levels such as Spanish, P.E., Technology and Arts Education. Students also have classes in self-regulation where they have lessons that strengthen their social awareness, sensory processing, mindfulness, and executive functioning skills.

Spanish

Spanish is taught as a foreign language in 5th through 8th grades. The goal of our Spanish program is that students will graduate with basic conversational and written Spanish that is comparable to the first year of Spanish in high school. Graduating 8th graders who desire a challenge and are ready take the Spanish entry test at their high school to pass in to Spanish II as a freshman.

TPRS Method

The TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) method in all Spanish classes. In 5th grade, students start taking Spanish. On the first day of class, they learn actions that go along with vocabulary and how to put the new vocabulary in to sentences. Vocab is taught in context starting on day one and continues to be taught in this way throughout their middle school experience. By the end of fifth grade, students are reading and writing half-page stories with humorous characters and fun actions. Grammar concepts such as gender, number, and verb conjugations are introduced along with vocab words. Additionally, sentence structures that differ from sentence structures in English are practiced daily. As well as creating, telling, acting out, and writing stories, we play many games and listen to a variety of songs that help with vocab acquisition.

In 6th-8th grade students continue learning more advanced sentence structures and building on the grammar concepts and vocabulary that they know. In each grade level, students read a chapter book: Brandon Brown versus Yucatan in 6th and Esperanza in 7th. In 8th grade students read a variety of novels in literature circles. We also review vocab through games and music, and we do many engaging grammar and vocabulary activities. Students regularly write and perform skits and short stories in class, so look for your child bringing these home and he/she can translate for you.

Washington State K-12 World Language Learning Standards

All Washington State K-12 World Language Learning Standards from OSPI are addressed at ASB throughout the 4 years that students take Spanish.

Washington State K-12 World Language Learning Standards from OSPI and which standards go under which skills at ASB:

Shows evidence of understanding written and spoken Spanish

1.2 Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics

4.1 Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own

5.1 Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting

Communicates effectively through speaking and writing

1.1 Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions

1.3 Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics

3.1 Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the world language

5.1 Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting

Demonstrates understanding of culture

2.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied

2.2 Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied

3.1 Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the world language

3.2 Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the world language and its cultures

4.2 Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own

5.1 Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting

Physical Education

Physical Education is an important aspect of a student's academic journey. Fitness improves a child's overall health, and improves their mental health and cognitive development. When students participate in physical exercise, children are more likely to concentrate and maintain focus in lessons. Primary and Middle School grades have P.E. twice per week.

PreK Curriculum

PreK P.E. meets once a week and focuses on becoming comfortable in the gym, enjoying play, and being safe.

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Curriculum

Primary students have P.E. twice a week. In the primary grades physical education instruction is focused on the fundamental concepts of loco-motor movements, body and spatial awareness, sportsmanship, and safe play. These concepts are taught through a series of warm-up activities and games that incorporate these concepts, and group activities that reinforce these fundamentals. Becoming comfortable in the physical education environment and enjoying play is a major part of the program.

3rd - 5th Grade Curriculum

3rd through 5th graders have P.E. twice a week. In the intermediate grades, physical education instruction focuses on refining loco-motor and dance movements, basic sports skills, sportsmanship and fair play. These concepts are taught through a variety of group games and activities. The love of play and enjoying fitness is an important part of the program.

Middle School Curriculum

The goal of the middle school physical education program is to introduce students to concepts and skills they can carry through life. We will accomplish this by exposing students to many individual, dual, and team experiences throughout the year. These experiences will be creative non-threatening small group drills, modified games and all active delivery systems. ASB P.E. aims to recognize that everyone is unique in their abilities. Students are assessed on their effort toward personal growth and excellence. Students should focus on positive participation, sportsmanship and class daily learning targets.

P.E. Grading

SHAPE America, or The Society of Health and Physical Educators, is the preeminent organization of P.E. teachers in the country. Students are graded using their standards.

Standard One: The physically literate individual demonstrates competency in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns. This standard is the “Can Do” piece. Is the student showing the ability to perform loco-motor and non loco-motor activities as well as performing sports skills and dance steps.

Standard Two: The physically literate individual applies knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics related to movement and performance. This standard is the cognitive piece, the “Knows Why”. The student knows how the game works and applies (or attempts to apply) strategies and can explain what they mean to another participant.

Standard Three: The physically literate individual demonstrates the knowledge and skills to achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical activity and fitness. This standard life long learner piece, the “Will Always Do”. Does the student value fitness and activity both in and out of school. This standard is the self-starter piece where they demonstrate their readiness to play and learn.

Standard Four: The physically literate individual exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others. The student is a respectful member of the community and demonstrates sportsmanship.

Standard Five: The physically literate individual recognizes the value of physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, or social interaction. The student is a responsible member of the class and participates positively.

Library

Our library is a vibrant, welcoming space filled with over 10,000 books that celebrate diversity and cover a wide range of topics. We constantly update our collections to keep them fresh and engaging for all our students.

For Our Young Readers (PreK-5th Grade):

Weekly Library Time: Every week, our PreK-5th grade students enjoy dedicated library sessions. During these times, they learn valuable library and research skills, listen to exciting stories, and beginning in first grade, they get to check out their favorite books.

For Our Middle School Students (6th-8th Grade):

Flexible Access: Middle school students can visit the library throughout the day, with permission from their teachers, to explore our extensive collection and find resources that spark their interests and celebrate their love of reading.

Our Library’s Goals:

Meet Informational Needs: We strive to anticipate and fulfill students’ needs for information.
Diverse Reading Materials: We provide a wide range of reading materials to match every student’s interests.
Foster a Love of Reading: We aim to nurture a passion for reading in every student.
Encourage Lifelong Learning: We support and inspire students to continue learning throughout their lives.

We’re excited to support every student’s journey through the world of books and knowledge!

Arts Education

Visual Arts

Visual Arts is taught to every grade level in the school. Art classes build on communication skills, emphasize respect for each other's creative strengths, and foster diversity, perseverance, and individuality. Through carefully selected grade-based projects, students master techniques, learn to value aesthetics, and have an opportunity to express themselves. Students hone their artistic abilities, as well as their interpersonal skills through organizing and cleaning their supplies, problem solving, assisting each other with tasks. Artwork is regularly displayed throughout the school and once a year, we celebrate every student's creative achievements in an all-school Art Walk.

Music
Through the ASB music program, students are able to demonstrate understanding of the elements of music, understand and use musical vocabulary, acquire musical skills, create and perform music, and make connections to other arts. Students have music classes twice per week in all grades.

In 1st through 3rd grades, students participate in the annual Christmas concert. Middle school students study music master classes that include music from around the world, exploring the soundtrack to life, and popular music of our time. All students participate in music during monthly Masses.

Drama

Our Drama curriculum, grounded in the National Core Arts Standards, provides students with a high-quality, standards-based arts education that fosters imagination, creativity, and essential skills in conceptual thinking, kinesthetics, emotional intelligence, and social interaction. Through weekly classes in our Performing Arts Center, all ASB students learn to communicate meaning through ideation and presentation, hone performance and design skills, and create and present stories that cultivate teamwork, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the human experience.

Technology

At the heart of our library lies our dynamic Innovation Center, a hub where students unleash their creativity and problem-solving skills. Here, they engage with cutting-edge technology to design, explore, and innovate in a hands-on learning environment. Students

What Students Can Do:

Create and Design: With four 3D printers, students bring their ideas to life through intricate design projects.
Virtual Adventures: Our 32 VR/AR headsets take students on virtual field trips and allow them to explore volcanoes and dive into cell structures by manipulating the content on their screens.
Interactive Learning: OSMO devices teach drawing, coding, and storytelling, while Ozobots and Spheros make learning math and science fun through coding challenges.
Robotics and Coding: Indi Robotic Cars introduce our youngest learners to coding and problem-solving.

Tech Tools Available:

32 iPads loaded with educational software.
16 laptops for seamless learning and integration with tech tools.

Learning Platforms:

Reflex and Frax enhance math skills and fluency for grades 3-5.
Learning.com builds keyboarding skills to ensure fluency by middle school.
No Red Ink supports grammar and writing development in line with ELA instruction.

As George Couros says, our goal is to empower students to use technology to “raise awareness, start conversations, find answers, and make a difference.” In our Innovation Center, students are not just learning; they are leading the way in a tech-driven world.