Calhoun Primary School provides students with exciting learning opportunities outside of the general curriculum. We are a STEM focused school that exposes students to real world experiences through Project Based Learning and STEM integration in the curriculum. Students at the primary level begin to explore different interests and careers during special activity times involving community resources. 

As part of the Georgia Standards, schools will use the CCRPI to aid in the measurement of the implementation of Georgia standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics in grades K-12.  In the state of Georgia, this means lessons are being prepared to include rigorous knowledge and skills needed to succeed in college and/or careers. Calhoun Primary School builds foundational skills using structured literacy. This approach teaches students how to read in a direct, explicit, systematic way encompassing phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Lessons in English Language Arts are integrated to include content from other subject areas, including but are not limited to science, social studies, and technology.  A major component that will be most obvious will be the text complexity of reading materials in all subjects; writing assignments will be tied to the reading material, and will be developed more deeply. It is theorized that by increasing academic and technical vocabulary, students will be better prepared to bridge the transition between elementary, secondary, and post-secondary technical reading and writing. 

Mathematics is taught using real world connections by utilizing hands-on materials. This is accomplished by promoting the use of mathematical reasoning and sense-making through research-based, effective mathematics teaching practices in all grade levels. Students at Calhoun Primary focus on building conceptual understanding of the standards. We build relevant pathways through the big ideas to engage students based on a foundation of part-whole reasoning and flexible thinking. 

Business professionals in the community take an active part in helping students at Calhoun Primary become familiar with potential careers and with successful adult partnerships in  different ways. Many teachers invite speakers from local organizations to present to their classes on topics relevant to their daily lessons. These partnerships help show real world connections between school and community.

We also partner with Calhoun High School to provide our students with mentors in the Big Jacket/ Little Jacket program. The mentors plan visits with their school “little jacket” to talk about school progress or other topics, to read together, to play games, and to become friends. Many children have realized improvements in their academics and behavior due in part to these mentoring relationships. 

Calhoun Primary is dedicated to educating the whole child. We value relationships and the social and emotional well being of our students. We are a Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH) school and implement Positive Behavior Interventions and Support. In the words of CKH founder, Flip Flippen, “If you have a child’s heart, you have a child’s mind.”