HCEM Mission

Statement

What are the overall

components that
make HCEM special?

The mission of Henderson Collegiate is to empower students with

the character traits, academic skills, social experiences, and love of
learning necessary for them to shape their own destinies, attend
the college of their choice, and become world-changing problem
solvers.

What is the vision for

the curriculum?

Reading

Writing

Hedgehog concept: Triangle academic, character, and arts

We provide extensive instruction in the core academic subjects,
character education, and arts education.
Provides a rigorous academic environment with an emphasis on
building a sense of community that is built on our schools core
values of pride, responsibility, integrity, determination, and
enthusiasm.
Extended school day and school year
We believe deeply that doing is at the core of learning, therefore,
students only receive limited teacher-led instruction with more of
an emphasis on hands-on instruction.
Every student can and will learn and teachers do whatever it
takes for a student to be successful. We combine continuous
assessments, data-driven instruction, small group learning,
afterschool tutoring, and response to intervention to address the
individual needs of each child.
51% character, 49%.
We believe in joy AND high academic and behavioral
expectations.
We believe every child deserves to have a highly qualified
teacher, and as a result provide ongoing professional
development and instructional coaching.
We believe in project-based learning. Project based learning is an
intensive, multidisciplinary study of one topicexploring a topic in
such depth brings history to life and allow scholars to develop
their own deep insights.
We combine ongoing assessments, data-driven instruction,
differentiated small group instruction, afterschool tutoring, and
response to intervention to address the individual needs of each
child.
Each CORE subject in our curriculum is aligned with the Common
Core Standards.
Focus on literacy instruction with 200 minutes of instruction a day.
We use research-proven curricula, which is the balanced literacy
approach (phonics, phonemic awareness, comprehension, fluency,
and vocabulary) and SRA direct instruction.
Differentiated reading groups will never exceed more than ten
students.
We use ongoing assessments to inform targeted instruction.
We put an emphasis on fiction and nonfiction.
By the end of the year, our students will be reading at a STEP
level 4.
Kindergarten Writing Framework (STEP aligned)
o August-December: Focus on drawing pictures and verbal
explanations of the illustration
o December-January: attempt to write one sentence
o End of the year: 3-4 sentences

Math

Science

Social Studies
Enrichment

We will focus on the precision and accuracy of literacy formation.

Cognitively guided instruction
Activity-based investigations
Conceptual understanding AND an emphasis on precision and
accuracy
Inquiry-based and hands on experiments
Foster a love for science and critical thinking skills through
reading a nonfiction text
Place-based learning (contextual learning)
Chess: problem-solving, critical thinking skills
Art: creativity, channels imagination
Fitness: healthy body = a healthy mind
Music: creativity, promotes focus, continuous feedback
Exploration: blocks and dramatic play

Values
Pride

Description
We treat our
community like
family members
by being kind,
supportive, and
respectful to one
another.

Responsibil
ity

We take care of all

our assignments
and make sure we
are prepared every
day.
We do the right
thing even when
nobody is looking.
We work hard and
dont give up on
tough challenges.

Integrity
Determinati
on
Enthusiasm

We are happy and

excited to learn
and be around our
community.

What does this look like on a daily basis?

We treat our friends with respect
o Use kind words
o Share ideas and things
o Solve problems with our minds
We treat our teachers with respect
o I follow directions the first time
o I respond to my teachers in a kind and
respectful way
I am meticulous and neat in everything that I do.
I take care of my materials.
I complete my work.

I am honest and tell the truth at all times.

I show self control by thinking before I act.

I am curious and ask questions in class.

I actively listen, pay attention, and show strong focus.
I am brave by trying new things.
I participate in every lesson.
I smile and greet my teachers, teammates, and
visitors.
I speak in front of others in a loud and proud voice.
I learn from feedback because I know it will make me
better.