Academics
At Frederick Elementary School we believe that every child can learn. We are dedicated to providing proven, research-based curricula tools, effective school-climate practices, comprehensive teacher and administrator support, an instructional focus unique to the Frederick community, and a partnership building program.
Every FES student receives instruction which will give her/him a reasonable challenge each day, and ensure academic growth. This is true for students operating above expected grade level, below expected grade level, second language learners, and students with disabilities. We use differentiated instruction, and teach to mastery as measured through frequent assessments of learning.
Our FES academic program consists of the following curricula:
Direct Instruction (DI)
Direct Instruction is a research-based comprehensive school reform model that consists of carefully scripted lessons, backed by texts and workbooks. It is supported by over 40 years of research and has been consistently rated as one of the most effective comprehensive school reform models. When implemented properly, students attain reading, writing, and math skills beyond their current grade level in a relatively short amount of time. For more information visit the National Institute for Direction Instruction at http://www.nifdi.org.
Core Knowledge
The Core Knowledge curriculum in grades Pre-K includes authentic fiction and nonfiction texts that teachers read aloud. These texts are grouped in knowledge domains that create interactive opportunities to question, discuss and share ideas centered on text. This curriculum ensures students are well prepared when they transition from learning to read to reading to learn. For more information visit https://www.coreknowledge.org.
Eureka Math
Eureka Math connects math to the real world in ways that take the fear out of math and build student confidence—helping students achieve true understanding lesson by lesson and year after year. For more information visit https://greatminds.org/math.
STEM Achievement in Baltimore Elementary Schools (SABES)
Developed through a partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools and Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, the SABES in-school curriculum consists of 24 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) units (8 per grade level) in grades 3 through 5, which are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics.
My World Interactive
The MWI curriculum from Savvas Learning includes strong ELA instruction to support social studies inquiry that is aligned to the MCCR standards; focuses on the exploration of history, culture, and life experiences of various societies of the world from multiple perspectives; offers exclusivity and cultural responsiveness content that is already embedded with relevance; is interactive in its exploration of local issues; has a rich vocabulary component along with writing components; enhances critical thinking/problem solving skills; includes project-based learning and activity extensions; and includes scaffolding and differentiation opportunities for teachers and students, also incorporating ELL embedded suggestions.
Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measure of Academic Progress (MAP)
Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments are state-aligned computerized adaptive tests that accurately reflect the instructional level of each student and measure growth over time. For more information visit Northwest Evaluation Association at http://www.nwea.org/.
C.H.A.M.P.S.
Champs is an instructional structure in which students are responsible, motivated, and highly engaged in the specific task at hand. Each letter in CHAMPS represents an instructional approach used in FES classrooms:
- Conversation: Can students converse during this activity? About what? With whom? For how long?
- Help: How do students get your attention for help? How do students get questions answered? What should they do while they wait for you?
- Activity: What is the expected end product of this activity? What is the task or objective?
- Movement: For what reasons can students get out of their seats during this activity? Do they need permission to do so?
- Participation: What behavior shows that students are participating or not participating?
- Success: There are no questions for this one. When CHAMPs expectations are met, students will be successful.
Library, Arts, and Physical Education Classes
Along with the core academic content areas, students at FES benefit from daily engagement with related arts. Our scheduling includes Library/Media Science, Physical Education, Visual Art; as well as optional choices throughout the year such as Dance and Cultural Percussion. In addition, students may engage in staff-sponsored affinity and support groups.
After-School Program
For students in need of additional academic support, the FES After-School Program provides academic intervention, as well as cultural enrichment through a variety of related arts offerings.
MD Senate Bill 734 (2019); Ready to Read Act
Frederick Elementary School is committed to identifying and addressing the needs of each student. To this end and in compliance with recent legislation from the Maryland General Assembly Senate Bill 734 (2019), Ready to Read Act, Frederick Elementary School uses the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Reading Fluency assessment as a literacy screener for all Kindergarten classes to determine students’ foundational reading skills and to identify potential risk of future difficulties so that appropriate early interventions can be put in place. In addition, we also screen students in Grades 1-3 who show some level of risk of present or future difficulty on their MAP Growth assessment, as well as those who are new and not previously screened. The screening occurs three times during the year: the beginning of the year (BOY); the middle of the year (MOY); and the end of the year (EOY).
Parents are notified by the school of their students’ results and any additional intervention support that is being implemented at the school, as well as any additional supports that can be provided at home.
All BCP school use Direct Instruction as their literacy curriculum and approach which has decades of research-based evidence that supports effective literacy instruction.
English 
Spanish