A.C.A.L.C. utilizes the latest technology and textbooks to help its students achieve competence in mathematics. Students complete one math book, a chapter at a time. A.C.A.L.C. has three distinct levels of math skill development. For lower level students instruction begins with an introduction to numbers, number theory and basic problem solving and ends with an introduction to geometry. Students advance at their own pace and at the middle and upper levels of instruction they are taught beginning and intermediate algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus. Upon admission to the school students are given assessment tests to determine their proficiency levels. Subsequently, each math unit taken requires a test that every student must pass before being allowed to advance to the next unit. All math tests must be passed with a score of at least 80% in order to advance to the next level!
History
At A.C.A.L.C. history is his-story. We call ours, Our-Story. Our pattern for learning is based on an African centered thought process that comes from Ancient Kemet (Egypt) and is grounded in learning about the whole individual and about the entire community of people, young and old, male and female. This type of education is centered around the concept and philosophy of MAAT (Truth, Justice, Righteousness).
Our-Story begins more than 5000 years ago before the founding of Ancient Kemet (Egypt) and includes the story of this great civilization from pre-dynastic to dynastic times. Our-Story continues after the decline and destruction of Kemet (Egypt) and covers the periods of the great empires of Africa, Ghana, Mali, Songhay, Kanem-Bornu, Monomotapia and more. The slave trade, U.S. and world history, the turbulent periods of Civil Rights, African Independence and modern events are taught as well. Students are prepared to function in the 21st Century with a complete understanding of their culture, heritage and legacy.
Language Arts
Starting with a strong foundation of basic grammar (capitalization, pronunciation, pronouns, adjectives, conjunctions, contraction, prepositions, and verbs) we expect students to demonstrate a written accuracy of 80% consistently before they move into the advance writing classes. At ACALC, students learn how to distinguish between ordinary and critical reading, writing and thinking skills. Our students are expected to write a minimum of fifteen pages per week; we believe that the only way to become better writers is to write.
Science
The focus begins with the single cell organism and moves to the human cell and its many systems and organelles. In the intermediated science section human anatomy and sex education units are also taught. We study the Physical, Natural and Environmental aspects of the sciences. Chemistry is taught with emphasis on the mathematical approach, in order to achieve a working mathematical ability. In the advance class Physic is taught without math, to increase students’ comprehension of the many concepts of Physics and how it is and can be applied to
Foreign Language
A.C.A.L.C. provides access for its students to learn a language other than English. Instruction can be provided in several languages including Spanish. Students at A.C.A.L.C. study an African language first because it reconnects us to our heritage and culture. From there we can study the languages of the world. The language that is offered is Swahili.
Swahili is the 12th most commonly spoken language in the world and is the national language of both Kenya and Tanzania. It is spoken all over east and central Africa. It is one of the only African languages that is not tribal based (that is, it is not spoken by only one tribe). We practice writing and speaking Swahili four days per week.
Dramatic Art
A.C.A.L.C. offers a class which allows students to express themselves in a creative format. Students learn to write scripts, to direct and to perform in plays. Some of these plays are performed at community events and venues and others are used in annual school events. Characters portrayed include historical and/or fictitious individuals. Students learn a variety of skills related to the performing arts including those mentioned above as well as staging, recording and hosting events.
Cultural Arts
Classes are offered that emphasize special training in the areas of African dance, African drumming, African songs and African and African-American folklore. Along with teaching students the value, the diversity and the beauty of African and African-American culture, there are many other benefits from these classes including physical development, motor skill coordination and developing listening skills. Community performances are an integral part of these classes also. These classes as well as the classes in the Dramatic Arts give students instruction and experience in building organizing skills, business skills, audio-visual production skills, public speaking skills, public relations and much, much more.
