Formal instruction, measured honestly

Reading and English language arts — structured literacy: systematic phonics through fluency, then knowledge-rich comprehension.

Mathematics — mastery-based, with real fact fluency and genuine problem solving, not spiral review that never lands.

Writing, science, history, and civics — a knowledge-rich content sequence, because comprehension is built on knowing things.

Direct, explicit instruction; mastery learning; retrieval and spaced practice. Adaptive software is the delivery layer — it gives each child practice at exactly the right level — and a teacher leads instruction and small-group work. None of this is novel. It is what the research has supported for decades, applied without apology.

Every one of these choices traces to the published evidence base at kb.millyardschool.com.

The academic core is a focused adaptive block of about two hours, where the direct instruction and individual practice happen. Around it sit workshop and project blocks — applied learning, discussion, writing, and STEM — where the morning's work gets used.

MAP Growth three times a year — fall, winter, spring — for an external, norm-referenced measure no one can grade on a curve of their own. Continuous mastery tracking in between. Written progress reports to families. If a child is behind, we will know in weeks, not years — and so will you.

Our purpose is instruction, not custodial care: every child is a regularly enrolled student in a defined academic program, with a curriculum, a faculty, and measured progress. All staff with child access complete background checks, mandatory-reporter training, and pediatric CPR and first aid before day one.