Program of Studies Program of Studies 2019-2020 | Page 6

Curriculum Extension Program
The Curriculum Extension Program, a cooperative venture between classroom teachers and the coordinator, is
provided to students with outstanding abilities who are capable of high performance and represent the diverse
populations of our communities. Students whose potential requires differentiated approaches to meet their
educational needs will receive challenging educational services through the Curriculum Extension Program. More
information is available from the Curriculum Extension Coordinator.
Library and Academic Commons
Mary Weymouth Hyde Library is located on Thornton Academy’s main campus. Open daily for student use, the
library offers a comfortable reading area, study tables, extensive print, periodical and multimedia collections. Hyde
Library is an attractive setting and offers a popular place for all students, including middle school students, to study
and explore the world.
Middle school students visit Hyde Library as part of regular supervised classroom activities. Starting in middle
school, Thornton Academy students will:
• Learn to find and use information effectively
• Conduct effective Internet searches
• Access online databases
• Acquire skills to become a lifelong learner
Technology
Middle school faculty members have completed extensive professional development in the area of instructional
technology, which is an essential component in all areas of study at the middle school. Since technology is so
integral to the curriculum, a laptop or iPad is provided for every student to use both in school during classroom
instruction and at home for homework completion. Campus-wide wireless connectivity facilitates instruction in a
wide range of ways including the interactive whiteboard technology installed in every middle school classroom, as
well as in-class LCD projectors, digital cameras, and digital microscopes.
Teachers post class assignments online, making crucial class information and electronic resources available for
students to access from anywhere at any time via the Internet. A stable infrastructure and a reliable technology staff
are effective in handling all network, hardware and software issues.