Weekly Learning Structure & Program Options
Weekly Learning Structure
- Early week anchor lessons introduce big ideas through science, literature, art and social studies.
- Mid-week skill building focuses on deeper learning through problem-solving, analysis and project work.
- Friday collaboration brings all students together for mixed-age STEM and maker challenges, outdoor learning, art, cooking and leadership opportunities. Fridays are a favorite part of the week for many students.
Program Options
- 2-day Program: Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday
- 3-day Program: Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday/Friday
- Extended Day Options: Additional enrichment from 12:30 – 2:30 pm, including outdoor play, creative stations, math and ELA focused centers, and relaxed project time.
- Stand-Alone Friday: A favorite part of the week, bringing all K-5 students together for mixed aged collaboration. Student enjoy STEM and maker challenges, outdoor learning, art, cooking, leadership roles, and community-building experiences.
Student Groupings
To support developmental needs and create a strong sense of belonging, Cooper Academy organizes students into intentional learning groups. Grade levels guide the content we cover, but students are placed according to ability and learning needs. This allows teachers to tailor instruction, pacing and projects, while still offering opportunities for mixed aged collaboration.
Explore (K-2) – Play-rich, nurturing environment focused on early foundational skills, hands-on exploration, and gentle guided learning.
Discover (2-4) – A supportive space for growing independence where students strengthen core skills and collaborate on emerging projects.
Dive (4-6) – A more advanced, inquiry-based group where students take on multi-step projects, leadership opportunities and deeper problem-solving.
Soar (6-8) – Middle-school program at the Aurora campus through SunRaise Academy, offering interdisciplinary projects, executive function growth, and 3- or 5-day attendance options. You can use this link to register for the Soar Program: https://sunraiseacademy.com/