Curriculum

Any student in Kindergarten through 3rd grade with an identified reading deficiency would be required to have a Student Reading Improvement Plan (SRIP). A reading deficiency is determined by a consistent deficiency in any of the following areas:

• letter naming fluency
• letter sound fluency
• nonsense word fluency
• sight words
• oral reading accuracy and fluency
• vocabulary or comprehension

Other requirements of the law include:

‣ Assessment of early literacy skills three times during the school year
‣ Parental notification within 15 days of identification of a reading deficiency
‣ Individualized supplemental reading intervention
‣ Strategies and resources for parents to use at home
‣ Summer reading camp

Once a deficiency is identified, teachers are required to notify parents. A diagnostic assessment is given to the child, and based on specific needs, teachers will provide intensive reading instruction and interventions for that child. The specific instruction and targeted interventions will be documented in a Student Reading Improvement Plan (SRIP).

A standards-based report card is a type of report card that provides detailed information about a student's performance and progress based on specific learning standards or objectives. Instead of providing general grades or scores for overall subjects, a standards-based report card focuses on assessing a student's mastery of specific skills and knowledge.

The purpose of a standards-based report card is to provide a more comprehensive and meaningful assessment of a student's academic performance, focusing on specific learning outcomes. It helps parents and students better understand areas of strength and areas that require further attention, fostering a more targeted and individualized approach to education.

First Class Pre-K

Each one of our school communities is the home to at least one First Class Pre-K Classroom.  

To be eligible to participate, a child must be an Alabama resident and 4 years old (and not yet 5) on September 1st of the school year for which he/she is being pre-registered. Pre-registration for an upcoming school year begins on January 15th.

The online pre-registration form must be completed in its entirety and requires each family to enter a valid email address to establish the account. If you need help with the pre-registration process, please reach out to the program or school where you are applying for assistance with completing the pre-registration form. If your family has more than one child eligible for Pre-K, only one family account is needed.

Submitting this form places your child in the Alabama First Class Pre-K random selection process. If your child’s name is drawn for a space in a program you have selected, you will be notified in mid-April and provided with a list of documents/information needed to complete the registration process. Children who are not selected will be placed on a waiting list for any future available spaces.

Note that families may pre-register children for multiple program locations; however, public school programs may restrict eligibility by school zones.

APPLY HERE

Crosswalks Preschool

Crosswalks is an inclusive preschool program for 3- and 4- year-old children with and without disabilities. This is an innovative program that is offered for preschoolers who reside in Blount County. Crosswalks is based on the philosophy of Developmentally Appropriate Practice. This means the emphasis is on learning through a play-based, child-initiated approach. Instruction for each child is age appropriate as well as individually appropriate. We also focus on school readiness skills.

Combining children with and without disabilities is a fundamental component of the program’s philosophy. Children without disabilities benefit from learning about differences in same age peers and learn about disabilities at a young age before they form misconceptions. At the same time, children with disabilities benefit from appropriate interaction and observation of same-age peers.

For students with disabilities, their activities are adapted and/or modified based on his or her individual needs and according to Individual Education Programs (IEPs). A variety of curriculum techniques will include the following essential areas: play behavior, listening, speaking, pre-writing, manners, feeding skills, personal hygiene, pre-literacy, problem solving, thinking skills, gross and fine motor skills, social skills and safety.

Application and Enrollment 

THE BRIDGE ACADEMY, A NON-TRADITIONAL PUBLIC EDUCATION VIRTUAL/BLENDED PROGRAM OPTION FOR BLOUNT COUNTY STUDENTS

The Blount County School System offers a non-traditional public education for eligible 9-12 students provided through The Bridge Academy. Courses are facilitated by highly qualified, certified teachers through high-quality online curriculum aligned to the ALSDE-CCRS. 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 
The Bridge Academy courses and programs are free for enrolled full-time students meeting the residency requirements of Blount County Schools. Students in grades 9-12 who live in areas zoned for Blount County Schools but who are not currently enrolled, may enroll in their zoned school and be served through The Bridge Academy virtually as long as they meet all eligibility requirements of both the local school and the Academy. 

Blount County students may also take virtual courses on a part-time basis from their local schools if approved by the counselor and principal. 

Bridge Academy Guidelines 

Bridge ACADEMY APPLICATION

You need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) form to apply for federal student aid such as federal grants, work-study funds, and loans. Completing and submitting the FAFSA form is free, and it gives you access to the largest source of aid to help you pay for college or career school.

In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid.

FILL OUT THE FAFSA

The goal for Alabama education is that each student graduates from high school with the knowledge and skills to succeed in post‐high school education and the workforce without the need for remediation.  Students can earn a CCRI by showing least one of the following:

• A benchmark score on any section of the ACT test (English-18; Science-23; Reading-22; Math-22)
• A qualifying score on an AP (3 or higher) or IB (4 or higher) exam
• Approved college or postsecondary credit while in high school
• A benchmark on the ACT WorkKeys (Level 4-Silver or higher certificate)
• Three courses in the same career-technical field
• An approved industry credential, or
• Documented acceptance for enlistment into the military

Beginning with the senior class of 2028, students will have to earn a CCRI, in addition to having enough credits, to graduate. 

Official transcripts are ordered through Parchment.  When ordered, we will deliver transcripts to the colleges you choose in the format they prefer.