Curriculum

Early Childhood | 3K/JK/SK

Our early childhood classrooms (3K, Junior Kindergarten, and Senior Kindergarten) provide an engaging environment rich in experiences and resources to cultivate growth and development. Children actively participate in play-based learning as the foundation of this time. We celebrate and foster emerging literacy — the ability to speak, listen, read, and write. Children work as investigators, authors, mathematicians, and scientists as they explore a central theme and discover God’s truth in the world around them. Even our youngest students have opportunities to discover God's world through math, science, reading and writing in a play-based learning environment.

Lower School | 1st-4th Grades

The Lower School employs an integrated literacy experience which includes explicit instruction in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Our approach builds deep background knowledge and vocabulary in order to explore and analyze truths in God’s world through literacy units that incorporate social studies, science, and Bible. Mathematical study includes numeration, geometry, measurement, probability, operations, and algebraic readiness. As students progress through Central, they grow in their ability to take risks, solve problems, be comfortable in struggle, think critically, and apply their learning to new contexts.

The Summit | 5th/6th Grades

The Summit (5th/6th Grades) bridges the transition from elementary to middle school by allowing students to rotate among four core teachers—math, science, literacy, and social studies—while also studying Bible (5th) and Worldviews (6th). This structure helps students grow in independence, organization, and communication as they adapt to multiple instructors and expectations within a nurturing environment. Through collaboration, project-based learning, and intentional scaffolding, Summit students develop the confidence and skills to flourish academically, socially, and spiritually in middle school and beyond.

Project-Based Learning (PBL)

At Central, we take a Project-Based Learning approach, for PBL invites students to see learning as purposeful, creative, and deeply connected to God’s world. Each project begins with a driving question that challenges students to explore real-world problems and consider how their learning can make a difference in the lives of others. Through these interdisciplinary experiences, students research, design, collaborate, and present their work—developing critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. Projects often weave together literacy, science, social studies, and biblical truths, helping students recognize how God’s design is evident in each content area through real-world application. Throughout the process, teachers act as facilitators, guiding students to take ownership of their learning and reflect on their academic and spiritual growth. By the end of each project, students not only demonstrate mastery of content but also gain a deeper understanding of what it means to love God and serve others through their work.

Academic Assessments

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Early Childhood | 3K/JK

We give ongoing, developmentally-appropriate classroom assessments to measure fine and gross motor skills, phonemic awareness, rhyming skills, letter identification, letter/sound correspondence, concepts of print, 1:1 correspondence, patterning, and rote counting. In May of each school year, we give an end-of-year assessment in 3K. Each trimester in Junior Kindergarten, we give a comprehensive assessment to determine student progress prior to Parent-Teacher Conferences. We also provide feedback to all 3K/JK parents on their child's social-emotional and spiritual development.
Elementary | SK-6th Grade

We believe assessment is more than measuring achievement—it’s about understanding growth. We use a variety of assessments to gain a full picture of each student’s academic development, and we use this data to guide instruction.

SK–6th Grade students complete NWEA MAP Growth assessments in reading and math a few times each year, allowing teachers to monitor progress, set goals, and personalize instruction across trimesters each school year. NWEA Reading Fluency provides additional insight into foundational skills, oral reading fluency, and comprehension. In addition, classroom-based assessments—including literacy unit assessments, writing rubrics, and math performance tasks—help teachers track mastery of essential skills and concepts. These data points are discussed collaboratively within our Student Growth Process, ensuring that every child receives the right level of support and challenge.

Our goal is to help each student recognize that growth is not just about scores—it’s about stewardship of their God-given gifts, perseverance through challenge, and joy in learning.

Feedback to Parents

At Central, we value consistent communication and a strong partnership with families as we walk alongside each child on their growth journey. Our teachers maintain weekly communication with families and reach out proactively if concerns arise. Students in 3K–6th Grade receive standards-based report cards three times per year, providing clear feedback on progress toward academic and developmental goals. These reports are shared prior to Parent/Teacher Conferences, which serve as intentional times to celebrate growth, set goals, and align on next steps. This rhythm of feedback ensures that families remain informed and engaged and that every student is supported in order to thrive in who God created them to be.

Central Christian School

700 South Hanley Road
Saint Louis, MO 63105
ph (314) 727-4535 | f (314) 727-8006
info@centralschoolstl.org