Crossroads Academy Viewbook

THE

CROSSROADS DIFFERENCE

Your Child Here 1ST DAY OF SCHOOL An Independent Day School for Grades K–8 in Lyme, New Hampshire

“

Our children’s experiences at Crossroads have been transformative. Never have we encountered such an intentional and successful balance of challenge and compassion. Students at Crossroads are taught to dig deeper on subjects and collaborate in all that they do, and all of it is undertaken with genuine kindness. —Fifth and Seventh Grade Parent

WE ARE

SCHOLARS

WE ARE

COURAGEOUS

WE ARE

CROSSROADS

KLEE BUILDING Home of our kindergarten through fifth-grade classrooms

TREEHOUSE CLASSROOM A breakout space for all grade levels Here, you’ll also hear our strings students practicing throughout the day

TORTI FAMILY PLAYGROUND

NHAS LAB

The New Hampshire Academy of Science (NHAS) is hosted on the Crossroads campus

FANGER CENTER Home of our sixth through eighth-grade classrooms and state-of-the-art science lab

140 Acres

Grow for Students to

HEWES BROOK & HOOPES LOOP TRAIL

BANCROFT CAMPUS CENTER Home of our co-curricular classes

• Performing Arts Stage • Gymnasium

• Library • Music • Art

Knowledge and virtue help children grow as curious students and kind human beings.

The Core Knowledge Sequence builds a strong foundation of academic fluency in geography, history, literature, math, and science.

Crossroads Academy was the first independent school to implement the Core Knowledge Sequence.

Our Core Virtues Program cultivates lifelong habits of the heart that enhance our human experience as caring individuals.

Developed at Crossroads Academy in 1992.

Core Virtues During each month, we focus on a specific set of virtues which are explored through a morning gathering, the posting of inspiring definitions in classrooms, the daily reading of literature, and community service.

Core Knowledge The Core Knowledge sequence is the foundation of the Crossroads Academy curriculum. It presents a detailed outline of the content and skills to be taught throughout all grade levels.

Our teachers adapt their own unique and engaging methods to teach the subject matter while following the specific content that is outlined and builds from year to year.

Context Specific Teaching content in a context-specific way means that ideas, people, geography, and sayings are taught in the context of the time period or domain. Students make connections to prior knowledge, other subjects, and real life.

Content Rich Our curriculum engages students by introducing them to the world, past and present. It also communicates high expectations. In each grade, the sequence covers language and literacy, mathematics, history and geography, science, visual arts, and music.

Cumulative The curriculum spirals from basic to advanced content to ensure that knowledge builds within and across grade levels.

As defined by our founder, Mary Beth Klee, Core Virtues are traits of character that define human moral goodness. At Crossroads, we strive to foster these character traits through discussions, illustrations in literature and history, through intentional reflection, community service, and through the ethos and tone of conduct in our school and our playgrounds.

Unity of Academic and Moral Virtues We believe that virtues such as perseverance, intellectual honesty, and courage are both academic and moral virtues. This belief is reflected in the school motto, “Scientia Virtusque,” or Knowledge and Virtue. The virtues create an ethos of responsibility and caring that fosters a disciplined, passionate, and cooperative pursuit of our program. As students master the content and practice of the virtues, they gain an appreciation of who they are and who they aspire to be.

Lower School (Grades K–5) Virtues are integrated by reading picture and chapter books as well as reflections on virtues found in history and language arts. Teachers often ask students to reflect and write about the virtues during lessons.

Middle School (Grades 6–8) Character building is an essential part of everyday life in Middle School. Through class meetings, social interactions, community service, leadership opportunities, literary character analysis, and character development discussions, students are dedicated to emphasize the importance of being good people.

September

February

Respect: Treating others politely, kindly, and with high regard

Diligence: Doing what needs to be done with devotion, dedication, and determination

Responsibility: Doing our part for the groups that make us whole

October Hope: Finding light in the darkness and trusting in right endings Joy: The fullness of spirit that blooms from the loving heart Wonder: To stop and say, “Wow!” The first step towards knowledge

November Gratitude: Thankfulness for the gift of life and the gifts in life Stewardship: Caring well for the gifts given to us: our life, our world, our talents, and those entrusted to our care

December Generosity: Giving without the thought of getting Service: Helping others with a cheerful heart

January Courage: Doing what is right even in the face of fear Humility: Avoiding the temptation to exaggerate our own abilities or underestimate those of others

Perseverance: Pushing on despite difficulty and hardship, and sticking with things even when you would rather give up

March Integrity: Doing the right thing, even when no one is looking Justice: Giving others their due

April Self-Control: Stopping to think about our actions before we enact them Self-Discipline: Giving the best of ourselves, and saying, “no” to our weaknesses

May Compassion: Feeling what others are feeling and trying to help them with their feelings Forgiveness: Freeing ourselves from anger and others from guilt

June Wisdom: Knowledge of the things that matter Loyalty: Being faithful and true to our duties, relations, and ideals

SCIENTIA V Discover the Crossroads Difference

A Crossroads education inspires and encourages children and adolescents alike to be kind and well-educated people—to think of others and to act with respect, compassion, and generosity.

STRONG MINDS Advanced Curriculum Crossroads teaches advanced reading, writing, and math and enriches these with studies in history, geography, science, literature, art, languages, PE, and music.

Through cross-subject and content-based education, students gain a deeper understanding of all aspects of their education.

V IRTUSQUE Service Learning We believe that demonstrating acts of kindness and compassion are necessary when learning what it means to be a responsible citizen of the world.

KIND HEARTS Educating the Whole Child Crossroads teachers infuse Core Virtues into each and every unit of study.

Students are taught to use their gifts for the good of those around them, and to be thoughtful and respectful people.

Learning the Crossroads Way Crossroads begins building for success in our lowest grades.

Our small class sizes allow for each teacher to fully know each child, and understand their needs. Whether we are learning at a desk or at the brook, students feel free to ask for help, to challenge themselves, and to strive for greatness each day.

6:1

Student: Teacher Ratio

Academic Support Learning experiences are designed based on how the brain learns best. Crossroads’ pedagogy is neuroscience-informed. Teachers provide active engagement, multisensory input, and varied assessments that guide students toward success in all areas–both academically and socially. Our individualized instruction amidst an academically rigorous curriculum is designed based on what we know about how the brain develops, learns, and thrives.

Two-Year Kindergarten Program Classroom-ready four year olds are encouraged to apply for our two-year kindergarten program. Young learners, who experience two years in kindergarten, experience a jump start on their learning journey at Crossroads, ensuring a strong foundation in essential academic and social skills.

Math Track Placement Depending on ability, students are placed in a math class just right for them.

Students have the opportunity to advance to our accelerated honors math track.

Outdoor Learning Our Treehouse and Outdoor Classrooms, Hewes Brook, and the Hoopes Loop Trail all offer room to explore outside the classroom and learn in new and exciting environments

Unique Instruction

Small Class Sizes

World Languages, Art, Music, Strings, Library, and Physical Education all offer opportunities for cross-subject teaching.

Students dive deeper into their core subject units within their co-curricular classes

Individualized instruction that nurtures critical thinking, creativity, and mastery.

Students in each class thrive in a tightknit environment capable of moving at the pace that fits them best.

Students of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Crossroads students are inspired by their teachers and peers to be curious students, compassionate friends, open-minded thinkers, respectful humans, and diligent workers.

Advanced Early Literacy Program At Crossroads, literacy starts early.

Children master the fundamentals through a structured phonics program, joyful read-alouds, and hands-on practice. Students practice spelling, vocabulary, and reading comprehension skills each and every day.

Commitment to Accelerated English As they grow, they are guided into more complex texts where they don’t just decode words—they unlock meaning, ask questions, and connect ideas across subjects.

Developing Proficiency in Composition, Grammar, Diction, and Syntax

Students support one another and grow in confidence, helping them to succeed in school and beyond.

Each kindergarten and first-grade student is assigned a fifth-grade buddy at the start of the school year. Buddies meet weekly to participate in group activities, and provide one-on-one support both inside and outside the classroom.

“I learned that challenges that may seem impossible at first, can be accomplished if you trust in yourself and persevere even when it’s hard.” –Fourth Grade Student

Building Skills for Success From their first days in Kindergarten, to their graduation in eighth grade, students spend a significant amount of time learning and fine-tuning their public speaking skills through numerous onstage performances.

Students are encouraged to step outside of their comfort zone and build upon the Core Virtues that are woven into the Crossroads Academy curriculum.

At Crossroads, world language learning begins in Kindergarten!

Our youngest students explore French, German, Italian, Mandarin, and Spanish while discovering the cultures, traditions, and holidays of more than 20 countries across every continent.

By third grade, students dive into Spanish and French, choosing their focus language by fourth grade—and continuing their journey through hands-on activities, cultural exploration, and growing fluency all the way through eighth grade!

Middle School Science and STEM The New Hampshire Academy of Science (NHAS) and Crossroads Academy have implemented a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Certificate to acknowledge Crossroads’ student achievements in STEM. STEM Track students learn directly from NHAS professional scientists through experiments in the NHAS labs and produce a capstone project.

Students simultaneously receive a fulfilling Middle School STEM education, enhanced with math and science extracurricular and leadership activities with Crossroads’ math and science faculty.

These students ultimately graduate with a STEM Certificate from Crossroads Academy.

Co-Curricular Strategic Learning Crossroads Academy proudly offers co-curricular options in addition to each student’s core classroom learning experience.

Learning Creatively Music Whether in music class, strings lessons, or chorus ensemble practice, students at Crossroads are exposed to a wide variety of techniques and skills. Students in first and second grade are introduced to the violin with weekly strings lessons. Once in third, fourth, and fifth grade, students will advance to the string ensemble or choose to be a member of the chorus ensemble. Students take part in a variety of formal and informal performances each year.

Performing Arts After having developed performing skills through countless plays, speeches, and other performances in Lower School, Middle School students participate in Performing Arts classes, culminating with a spring show for the broader community. Students may choose to participate as members of the tech and lobby crew, learn to work the sound and/or lights systems, create engaging backdrops and scenery, or perform on the stage!

Visual Arts Our visual arts program allows students to explore their creativity while linking projects to timely academic units in their core classes. This provides a perfect blending of historical context and a stronger understanding of ideas and methods for student artwork.

Taking Care of Ourselves Physical Education P.E. classes are based on key components of healthy living while reinforcing Core Knowledge and Core Virtues. While students are studying Ancient Greece, they will practice some of the first Olympic games during P.E. class. Units are built specifically to foster an in-depth understanding of the student experience across all subjects.

Literacy Learning In order to fully comprehend our Core Knowledge units, students are taught the fundamentals of reading and research early on.

Our library holds

Health

over 12,000 books

Health class is offered to students in sixth through eighth grade. In class, students learn about living healthy lifestyles, the importance of taking good care of our bodies through diet and exercise, and about mental health. It is a time for students to ask questions and grow in their confidence as young adolescents.

for kindergartners through eighth-grade students. Lower School students spend time in the library each week.

WE ARE

DYNAMIC

WE ARE

LEADERS

WE ARE

READY

Crossroads Academy’s personalized placement process guides families through the many options available to them.

From Advanced High Schools Brooks School Brewster Academy Burke Mountain Academy Cardigan Mountain School Choate Rosemary Hall Concord Academy Concord-Carlisle High School Deerfield Academy Emma Willard School Georgetown Day School Graf-Munster-Gymnasium Groton School Hanover High School

Hartford High School The Hill School Holderness School Holton-Arms School The Hotchkiss School Kent School Kimball Union Academy The King’s Academy Landon School Lebanon High School The Loomis Chaffee School Maret School Middlesex School

Milton Academy Miss Porter’s School Northfield Mount Hermon The Northwest School Phillips Academy Andover Phillips Exeter Academy Plymouth Regional HS Pomfret School Portsmouth Abbey School Proctor Academy Proof School The Putney School Rivendell Academy

The Sharon Academy Sigtunaskolan Humanistiska Läroverket St. Albans School St. Johnsbury Academy St. Paul’s School Tabor Academy The Taft School Thetford Academy Valley Forge Military Academy Westminster School Woodsville High School

To Prestigious Colleges and Universities Alfred University Amherst College Babson College Bates College Bayreuth University Biola University Boston College Boston University Bowdoin College Brown University Bucknell University Carleton College Clark University Clarkson University Colby College Colgate University College of William & Mary College of Wooster Colorado College Columbia University Cornell University Dalhousie University Dartmouth College Davidson College Denison University Duke University

Eckerd College Emily Carr University of Art and Design Fordham University Georgia Tech Georgetown University Gordon College Harvard University Hobart and William Smith Colleges Ithaca College Keene State College Kenyon College Lehigh University Loyola Marymount University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Middlebury College Montana State University Mt. Allison University Mt. Holyoke College New York University Northeastern University Northern Vermont University Northwestern University Notre Dame University

Oberlin College Parsons School of Design Princeton University Rice University Savannah College of Art and Design Skidmore College Southern Methodist University Southwestern Oklahoma State University Stanford University St. John’s University St. Lawrence University St. Michael’s College St. Olaf College Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth Tufts University Union College United States Naval Academy University of California at Santa Cruz University of Chicago University of Connecticut University of Georgia University of Maine

University of Michigan University of Montana University of New Hampshire University of North Carolina University of Oklahoma University of Pennsylvania University of Puget Sound University of Richmond University of Rochester University of St. Andrews University of San Diego University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts University of Tampa University of Vermont University of Virginia Wake Forest School of Medicine Washington and Lee University Wellesley College Wesleyan University Wheaton College Williams College

How to Apply 1. Submit the Online Inquiry Form: www.crossroadsacademy.org/inquire.

2. Schedule a Campus Visit: admissions@crossroadsacademy.org 3. Apply Online: www.crossroadsacademy.org/apply Please be sure to complete all checklist items along with the application.

• • • •

A recent photograph of the applicant (not required, but strongly encouraged).

The application fee, which can be paid online by credit card.

School records and teacher recommendations.

Parent Questionnaire

Applications are processed on a rolling basis in the order they are received. If you need assistance, please contact our Admission team at (603) 795-3111 or email admission@crossroadsacademy.org.

Kindergartners ring the bell on their first day of school

7 Crossroads Academy Drive Lyme, New Hampshire 03768 www.crossroadsacademy.org (603) 795-3111

Eighth graders ring the bell on their graduation day.