Our Curriculum
The Aguila curriculum adheres to state standards in all subjects, including the core areas of language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. We also offer instruction in art, music, and physical education. On this page, you’ll learn more about state standards and assessments.
Academic Standards
Arizona's Common Core Standards will ensure your child has the academic knowledge and skills to be successful in college, career, and life. Academic standards set the expectation for what students need to know and be able to do in each grade and subject. They form the foundation of what teachers teach and students learn in the classroom.
These standards will not only improve what your child learns but how he learns by teaching critical-thinking, problem solving, and effective communication skills. They will also better prepare your child to compete for the jobs of the future with students from around the world.
Assessments
In this age of accountability, assessments have become an integral part of an educational system. We use assessments for varying purposes; however, their primary purpose is to drive instructional decisions. It is important that parents have a basic understanding of the assessments used.
Arizona Academic Standards Assessment (AASA)
Arizona Academic Standards Assessment is the state test for reading, writing, and math for third through eighth grade students. It is a computer-based test, which provides engaging questions and measures critical thinking skills for college and career readiness. The assessment is aligned to the state learning standards, which detail what students should be able to do at each grade level. AASA is administered during the spring testing window. Check the school calendar for specific dates. In science, we will use the AASA test for fifth and eighth grades students. For more information, please visit the Arizona Department of Education AASA website.
DIBELS Next
Dynamic Indicators of Basic Literacy Skills (DIBELS) is an assessment used in grades K–5 to determine if students are on track for success in reading. We give the assessment to all students at the beginning, middle, and end of the year. We will progress monitor all students who do not meet the core standards for reading on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. At the end of the year, all students who meet benchmark will receive a gold medal in reading.
Galileo
We give the Galileo assessment multiple times a year in the content areas of reading and math to determine if kinder through eighth grade students are mastering the standards taught during the quarter, as well as to determine if third through eighth graders are on track to passing state assessments. In addition to the quarterly checks, we give a pre and post-test at the beginning and end of each school year as a measurement of growth.
Eureka Math
Eureka Math is AESD's adopted math curriculum, which we adopted in 2017-18. As an online resource, Eureka Math provides teachers materials and support that will always be timely.
As a parent, you are your child’s chief advocate and most essential teacher. To assist in this crucial role, Great Minds has assembled a suite of resources that will help you support your child in becoming proficient in math.
Eureka Grade Roadmaps available to explain what your child will be studying during the year as well as strategies that you can use to support your child's learning from the home.
Please visit Great Minds to explore these parent resources:
Wonders Reading Program
During the 2016-17 school year, AESD went through a rigorous process to identify a comprehensive reading curriculum for Kindergarten through 6th grade. We formed a literacy committee to review curriculum options. After thorough review, the committee identified Wonders as the most comprehensive program. Wonders was adopted for use during the 2017–18 school year. Teachers received training prior to the start of the year and have access to a variety of online professional development supports.
Visit the Wonders website to learn more about this curriculum.
Move On When Reading
We are committed to working in partnership with you to ensure that your child receives the best education possible. We support the 2010 House Bill (2732) that recognizes the importance of ensuring that your child and every child has acquired the basic skills necessary to be a contributing member of our community.
We encourage you to continue to work collaboratively with your child’s teacher to ensure that your child is acquiring all the skills and strategies he/she will need to be a successful reader. Your child’s teacher will continue to provide you with timely updates on his/her reading progress. If you would like additional information regarding your child’s progress, please contact your child’s teacher.
We look forward to working together to ensure that your child and every child in our school district becomes a proficient and successful reader.
For more information about “Move on When Reading,” please go to the Arizona Department of Education Move On When Reading website.