Careers

We are an official Core Knowledge school and we aim to teach our students cultural literacy through this program. The Core Knowledge curriculum is rich in Literature, Science, History, Geography, Art, and Music. Learn more about this program here. 

The Core Knowledge Language Arts curriculum, along with Wonders in our primary grades, provides a solid foundation for the acquisition of knowledge and skills in Reading.  As a school, we focus on teaching every student how to write. We know that students will be presenting themselves through their writing in high school, college, and career.  We focus on teaching this skill from Kindergarten through 8th grade using Step Up to Writing building-wide. Other programs and assessments that support Language Arts in our building include Guided Reading, Spalding, Quick Reads, Dibels and Burst, P95, I-Ready, IXL, Sonday and Junior Great Books.

As an advanced curriculum school, we offer not only grade-level Math but also tracks where students learn one (starting in K) and two years ahead (starting in 4th grade). Student placement in math tracks is thoughtfully done by the school and not by parent request. We use the newest version of Into Math in K-6 and Big Ideas in 4th -8th grades.  Our middle school offers Algebra 1 and Geometry courses that align with our neighboring public high schools. We firmly believe that a successful math program offers a balanced approach: students need to not only be fluent in math facts and procedures, they also need to understand what those procedures are doing (mathematical reasoning), how to approach a math question (mathematical analysis), and how to manipulate numbers (mathematical practices). Our students K-8 also use number talks to expand their mathematical reasoning and discussion skills.

We aim to produce students that are confident in Science and understand the importance that science has for our nation and our planet. With that in mind, we have an elementary science lab for K-6th grade and two science labs in middle school where students can apply and manipulate concepts they have learned in the classroom, learn to use scientific instruments, and grow in confidence and enjoyment of this subject matter. We use Core Knowledge Science in K-3, Elevate Science in 4th and 5th grade, and Investigations for 6th-8th grades.

The Core Knowledge Curriculum is rich in the area of History and Geography. Besides the Core Knowledge Curriculum, we use the Splash curriculum in 4th grade and My World in middle school. 

PCK offers a well-rounded education and students attend classes in Music, Art, Technology, Physical Education, and Spanish year-round in all grades. Our Specials programs have the same high-quality requirements as core classes and aim to produce students who can read music and play instruments, recognize important art and music concepts and pieces, are literate in computer science, and can use technology to support work production in any subject area. Our students learn the importance of widening cultural horizons through learning a foreign language, problem-solving, and reasoning skills through multiple coding languages,  and learn that physical well-being is each individual’s responsibility which can be achieved through participation in a wide range of activities from archery and golf, to dancing, and not just through traditional sports. 

At PCK, we have 4 Kindergarten and 1st-grade classrooms with approximately 20 students in each classroom. Starting in 2nd grade, we have three classrooms with 26 students in each group. 

In K-6th grade, each teaching team consists of 3 or 4 teachers with an average of 1 hour of common planning time and additional individual planning time per day. There are seven specialized teachers in our middle school with varying schedules. We have a large team of Specials teachers for Music, Art, Spanish, Technology, and PE, 13 in total.  PCK also has a team of 5 Tier Two Interventionists, an English Language Development teacher and a Gifted Education teacher, and a complete Special Education team.

PCK has a Core Knowledge Preschool with 12 staff members and offers varied schedules for 3 and 4-year-olds.

The classrooms at PCK are full of engaged learners who are supported by an active parent community, passionate and knowledgeable teachers, and a deep support system of interventionists and administration. Students are taught character education starting in our youngest classrooms, allowing our students to respect one another, collaborate effectively, and diligently work through a rigorous academic program. 

The staff’s well-being is of the utmost importance for the administration at PCK, and we have many events for the staff to enjoy during the year. We have a positive, supportive, and joyful community and staff feel at home at PCK. With a nice balance of veteran and new staff, PCK is a place many staff members choose to stay year after year.

Research continues to show the single most important factor contributing to student achievement is the effectiveness of the educator in the classroom. That makes professional development a priority at PCK. Our professional development is intentional, focused, and relevant. It is data-driven, job-embedded, and measurable in the classroom. Teachers at PCK are always learning and growing in both expertise and technique.

What We Offer

• Content-specific professional development

• PLC in grade level teams that meet weekly to plan, reflect, and refine the craft of teaching and ensure achievement for all students

• Grade-level common planning time

• Coaching from leadership

• Induction program for new teachers (state certified)

• Classroom management programs for new teachers