High School Curriculum
Literacy
The goal of the UNO literacy program is to produce active readers who possess the essential skills that will enable them to effectively and successfully access all content, as determined and dictated by the state of Illinois learning standards, and that is presented to them through their learning/reading experiences in all subject areas. The curriculum is based on three main principles:
- All students are readers and writers that engage in a comprehensive and interactive process.
- Reading and writing are taught and assessed through authentic experiences.
- All members of the school community are informed about literacy behaviors and processes.
Teachers base all of their instructional decisions on a Reading and Writing essential map and focus their instructional methods on creating experiences that enable students to construct meaning. All members in the classroom community participate in the process of reading and writing by talking, thinking, listening, and reading.
Mathematics
Saxon Math is a structure and sequenced math curricular program that ensures students master the fundamentals of mathematics. The program continually reinforces past material as new mathematical concepts and formulas are introduced. Teachers supplement the program by providing students with activities that promote real-life application of mathematical concepts.
Natural and Social Sciences
Building on each child’s innate curiosity, the Natural Science program gradually introduces formal scientific methods and modes of analysis. Teachers base all instructional decisions on a Science essential map that dictates when each Illinois State Standard is taught and assessed.
Students learn about civics, geography, and economics through the Social Science program, which focuses on material ranging from mythology and folk tales to in-depth studies of historical events, influential leaders and government structures.
English Language Acquisition
UNO adheres to multiple aspects of a Structured English Immersion program that ensure that all students who are identified as English Language Learners achieve expeditious mastery of the English-language – listening, speaking, reading, and writing – and the UNO curriculum. All teachers consider themselves as English Language Acquisition teachers, as each as a responsibility of teaching language proficiency and literacy to all of their students. Students identified as Limited English Language Proficient (LEP) are provided individual and small-group support directly from English Language Specialists, who complement instruction with additional curricular support.