Academics
Music
All students in grades K-6 are scheduled for music twice a week. Students learn music history, theory, music appreciation and listening skills, and vocal skills. Fourth grade students learn to read music and play the recorder. Performance is important to students and parents, and is used to enhance the educational program.
Band and Choir
Beginning in the fifth grade students may opt to learn a band instrument including brass, woodwinds, and percussion. Under the band director's baton students rehearse twice a week and perform several times throughout the year. Fifth and sixth graders may also join the choir that performs at school concerts, chapels, and community venues, under the music teacher's direction.
Library
Students visit the library weekly. Our librarian prepares age-appropriate activities including story time, oral readings, and lessons in library and research skills. Students have time to select and check out books for assignments and leisure reading.
Physical Education
In Physical Education students develop coordination, strength, flexibility, balance, fitness, and sport-specific skills and knowledge through demonstrations, play, exercise, and games. Students attend P. E. twice a week. In addition, they are physically active during recesses.
Technology in Education
Students in grades 2nd-6th attend computer class weekly. Students learn computer literacy, keyboarding skills, programming concepts, spread sheets, and computer ethics and etiquette. Beginning in third grade, students use word processing to publish school reports and written assignments. By 5th and 6th grades students are using a variety of tools (e.g., Internet Explorer, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Excel) to research, organize, publish and present their work. Students have access to computers in their classrooms, the library and the computer lab. Throughout the Bellevue Christian School network students, faculty, and staff use Windows® -based PCs and software.
Enrichment
The enrichment program is a pullout class designed to provide gifted and high-achieving students in 2nd through 6th grade with enriching experiences in the areas of their strengths. The program includes basic enrichment units (2nd-6th), math enrichment (2nd-6th), and independent learners (3rd-6 th).
Student Academic Services
A pullout academic therapy program is available, at an additional cost, for students who have been diagnosed as having difficulty in learning. Therapists are trained to use the program developed through the National Institute of Learning Disabilities (NILD). Separate information on this program is available upon request.
Reading Resource
Our reading specialist provides supplemental assistance in the area of language arts with an emphasis in reading skills and fluency in a small group pullout setting. Eligible students are those who have not developed reading skills in a timely fashion for their approximate age/grade levels.
School Counseling
The school counseling program is designed to encourage wholeness and maturity among our students. The counselor teaches skills and provides support through whole class activities, small group experiences, and one-on-one counseling. The counselor is available to consult with parents upon request. A list of community resources is available for outside referrals.
Activities
Among our in-school and extra-curricula activities we include: musical concerts, dramatic performances, weekly chapels, the Washington State Math Olympiad, the National Geography Bee, local and regional speech meets, service projects, field trips, after-school foreign language, a student-written and published campus newspaper, safety patrol, science projects, jog-a-thon, track meet, outdoor education, Be Excited About Reading (B.E.A.R.), special guests, special performances, and much more.
Class
Mack Elementary has one full day and one half day kindergarten class. Each kindergarten class has a limit of 18 students. Full day kindergarten meets Monday through Friday during regular school hours and half day kindergarten meets Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 11:30. The academic curriculum is the same for full and half day kindergarten, however, our full day kindergarteners have more opportunities for group activities as well as additional opportunities in music and PE class.
