Core Curriculum
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS + LITERACY
Fort Greene Prep’s literacy approach is deeply rooted in student-led questioning. We encourage our students to read with a purpose and ask questions to deepen their understanding of the meaning of a text. We use a shared inquiry approach to literature circles as part of our daily literacy work and engage in critical literacy to debate and question texts. This questioning becomes the foundation for making our thinking visible through student writing. Fort Greene Prep embeds Social Emotional Learning into our Literacy Curriculum and grounds our inquiry projects in culturally responsive, timely, and relevant topics for exploration that build our students’ capacity to become active citizens in the larger world. The District 13-wide Expeditionary Learning Curriculum is the foundation of our curriculum, coupled with a wide array of novels and texts during our Strategic Reading Periods.
MATH
Fort Greene Prep believes that students become fluent in Math when there is true conceptual understanding beyond the formula. Our Mathematical learning is grounded in the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum. Illustrative Mathematics is a problem-based curriculum that encourages students to test their thinking, prove their answers, and analyze their mistakes to deepen their understanding. Students learn by doing math, solving problems in mathematical and real-world contexts, and constructing arguments using precise language. Throughout their course work, our scholars collaborate and work in teams to develop and engineer their ideas in mathematical models and share their thinking and reasoning with their peers. Continuous feedback from teachers allows students to hone their skills and build their knowledge from one unit to the next. For students who choose it, Fort Greene Prep also offers advanced math coursework with the opportunity to take the Algebra I Regent for high school credit.
SCIENCE
It has long been the belief of Fort Greene Prep that only students who regularly act as scientists develop a life-long love of science. Thus, we are committed to daily engaging our scholars in phenomena that allow them to conduct short- and long-term scientific investigations. Our science team employs the SCALE Science Curriculum to develop collaboration among our scholars and teach them how to work in teams to investigate their ideas. As with shared inquiry in ELA, students are encouraged to develop their own questions that drive their exploration for answers. Inquiry projects aligned to the four scientific domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering allow students to practice skills that cut across them all, such as cause and effect. Our scholars connect their learning to relevant and current issues impacting the world and learn how to use science to solve problems and advocate for their community. This combination activates the Next Generation Science Standards and well-prepares our scholars for futures in the field of science. For students who choose it, Fort Greene Prep also offers advanced science coursework with the opportunity to take the Biology Regent for high school credit.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Fort Greene Prep’s Social Studies curriculum is designed to prepare scholars to become active and involved citizens in their communities and the world. Focusing on big ideas, students are asked to connect what came before us to the current issues and ideas of now. We encourage our children to look at history through perspectives, noting whose perspective is centered and whose is left out and ask the question why? Scholars use a variety of resources and materials, including the Social Studies Passport and Civics for All, to inspire their thinking and envision a better future.
FRENCH DUAL LANGUAGE

MODEL
Our FDL is a 2-way model in a 1-way setting. In grades 6 & 7 French Language Arts and Science are taught exclusively in French immersion. To support our anglophones, and particularly with regard to US History curriculum in the 7th and 8th grades, there are some English-language sources used, however all productions by students are in French language. French Language Arts (FLA) focuses on the building blocks of language—reading, writing, speaking, and listening. French Language Arts engages students in the deep study of French literature, the use of French to compose original works of writing, and acquire the nuances of French grammar, vocabulary, and phrasing. Through daily student discussion scholars build their on-demand production of language and listening skills. By accessing the science content through the French language, students continue to build their skills in academic reading and writing and expand their knowledge of content specific vocabulary. This combined approach helps to build fluency as students work their pathway toward the Seal of Biliteracy. In grade 8, students in FDL will continue to receive French Language Arts. Because students will be taking Regents Biology in grade 8, science will be taught in English. To continue with intensive French language studies, FDL students may opt into Advanced French studies to continue to deepen their French, or they may choose one of the other pathways.
The DLP students are populated into heterogenous class sections for their ELA, Math and Elective classes.
All grade 8 students graduating from the French Dual Language program will have the opportunity to sit for the Second Language Proficiency Examination (checkpoint B) for high school credit.
ELIGIBILITY
Students must have completed a full K-5 French DLP program or pass a proficiency interview that demonstrates ability at the Intermediate-Low level per the ACTFL/STAMP4S/CECRL guidelines.
RECOGNITION
We are a LabelFrance certified school. Being a LabelFrancÉducation certified school means that the school has been recognized by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs for promoting the French language and culture within its local school system.
CONTACT US
Please contact us with any questions info@fgpa.org or call 718.254.9401
