Two Bible-based curricula
Amana Christian School provides an excellent education standard, using two Biblically-based curricula infused with Godly character that go beyond simply helping students to achieve a high standard of education.The base of the curriculum is the attributes of God which is taught in a nondenominational way integrating Biblical studies within a child’s life while still learning the base education courses such as Math, English and the Sciences.
Interact curriculum
Amana uses a curriculum called ‘Interact‘ which was founded here in New Zealand but has also migrated to be used in other countries like Australia and South Africa. The Interact Curriculum has been written and developed in New Zealand for Christian Schools. It has a four-year cycle and is based on sixteen attributes of God, with one term as the overall theme.
It covers Biblical Studies, Science, Social Studies, English (Oral, Written, Visual), Technology, Health and Art.The strength of this programme is that the theme provides an integrated approach across the whole school so that activities are easily and logically related to each other with varied learning experiences. There are many opportunities for diverse learning approaches with input from the whole School community and the wider community. Most of these subjects are presented in the afternoon sessions of the timetable.
It complements the learning of those students using A.C.E.
A.C.E. curriculum
When the students have reached a high level of literacy and numeracy they can also use Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.) which is an internationally accredited curriculum for university entrance in over 140 countries including New Zealand! It ensures consistent learning. A.C.E. is a Biblically-based educational programme geared to meet the learning needs of individual children. Students are taught to see life from God’s point of view, to take responsibility for their own learning and to walk in godly wisdom and character. Students are prepared for tomorrow’s world through an ‘extraordinary educational approach, Biblical in its core… while giving them traditional moral values that will last a lifetime.’The strength of the A.C.E. programme is that it provides students with the opportunity to progress at the level of individual ability. Realistic goals are set, achievement is tested and addressed straight away and progress is tangible. Students become self-motivated as they take on ownership of their own learning. At present students are being introduced to A.C.E. subjects as they approach Year 7 and Year 8. This provides flexibility to progress beyond a specific year level or to gain further grounding in weaker areas of learning. Curriculum approach (from Wikipedia) According to the curriculum section on its website, the A.C.E. “program is individualized and nongraded.” A.C.E states that its “core curriculum is an individualized, Biblically-based, character-building curriculum package”. The material for the classes has an emphasis on reflecting the Christian ideas and principles of the company, including memorising Bible passages and learning creationism.
The program allows students to advance through high school. The A.C.E curriculum is based on a series of workbooks called PACEs (Packets of Accelerated Christian Education). At the beginning of each PACE is an overview of what the child will be learning, a scripture to memorize, a character trait to strive toward, and a “heads up” on what supplies the student will need. Each subject has 12 PACEs per grade level. The basic subjects of A.C.E. are mathematics, English, science, social studies, bible, Literature & Creative Writing, and word building (spelling and word usage). Test keys are published for corresponding PACEs. Additional PACEs apply.
Curriculum principles
The curriculum at Amana is based on the following principles- Pointing children to God and glorifying Him
- Agrees with and upholds Scripture
- Promotes a true view of God, creation, sin, life, work and marriage
- Develops good thinking skills
- Teaching goal setting
- Finishing tasks
- Self reliance
- Social concern
Key attributes
We believe that the following key attributes are important and are taught to the children- Speak, listen, read, numerate, sing, and paint with all the ability God has given them
- To love and enjoy God
- To read the Bible
- To pray
- To worship and serve God
- To love their neighbours
- To obey and respect lawful authority.
National curriculum
For those not using the A.C.E. curriculum, students are taught the basic subjects such as Maths, Reading and Spelling following the general guidelines of the State curriculum.
Resources and advice are provided from the Ministry of Education. These are supplemented by a wide variety of resources that Amana has on hand.
Beginning students generally don’t start on A.C.E.
Education Review Office report
The Government’s Education Review Office (E.R.O.) having reviewed Amana and the results of it’s education method wrote in their report “Consistent with the school’s vision, its special Christian character is central to the school’s curriculum and evident in the way students and staff relate. Students who spoke with ERO were very positive about their school. They described it as safe and friendly and stated that they enjoyed their learning.”