Kearney Elementary

Learning Philosophy

At Kearney Elementary, curriculum is a roadmap that lets every child put down deep roots and branch out toward new discoveries. All core and encore subjects are built on the Missouri Learning Standards, the statewide expectations that describe what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. Teachers backwards-design units from those standards, then layer in research-based instructional frameworks, hands-on investigations, and purposeful technology so learning feels both rigorous and relevant.

Core Instructional Program

Content Area	What Students Experience	How We Measure Success
English Language Arts	• Structured Literacy (phonemic awareness + phonics) in K-2• Daily WIN (“What I Need”) blocks for targeted support • Reading & Writing Workshop in grades 3-5 to grow voice, stamina, and deep comprehension	Kearney Elementary earned 100% of available ELA academic-achievement points (“Target” tier) on the 2024 MSIP6 report

Mathematics	• Concept-first math block with visual models, math talk, and real-world problem solving • Daily number-sense routines and fluent fact practice • Small-group instruction driven by topic diagnostics	Scored 75% of math status points (“On Track”) on the 2024 MSIP6 report

Science	• Hands-on inquiry labs guided by essential questions • Outdoor learning spaces & Maker-style STEM challenges • Cross-grade “Genius Hour” projects that showcase discovery	Earned 75% of science status points (“On Track”) on the 2024 MSIP6 report

Social Studies	• Primary-source analysis, civic simulations, and Missouri history projects • Integrated reading/writing to build critical thinking about communities and citizenship	Standards-referenced rubrics, performance tasks, and grade-level writing portfolios

Fine Arts, PE & Health, Library/Media	• Weekly encore rotations nurture creativity, wellness, and digital citizenship • KESTV broadcast studio & Makerspace spark media and engineering skills	Growth tracked with district rubrics, public showcases, and student self-reflection logs

Standards-Referenced Grading & Feedback

Kearney School District uses standards-referenced report cards in K-5. Rather than averaging points, students receive proficiency marks tied to specific learning targets so families know exactly where their child is excelling and where support is needed. Progress reports go home each quarter and PowerSchool gives families real-time access.

Continuous Improvement Culture

Teachers gather in grade-level PLCs every week to dissect student evidence, tune their scoring rubrics, and map next-step instruction. The payoff is clear: three-year MSIP6 trends keep Kearney Elementary at the “Target” benchmark in ELA and firmly “On Track” in math and science, while its continuous-improvement score has held a strong 87.5 % for three straight years.

Bottom line: Kearney Elementary’s curriculum balances the what (state standards) with the how (engaging, evidence-based teaching), producing steady gains and joyful learning environments where Bulldogs thrive.

Curriculum Overview