Academics and Curriculum

Academic Choices

In education, parents have many choices when it comes to selecting what is best for their family and child. Evergreen School District is pleased to offer a number of high quality instructional choices so families can decide which learning model best fits the education goals they have for their child. Parents can choose from:

Common Core Standards

Science

Science and science education is essential to helping students understand the world around them and prepare for the future.

In Evergreen School District, students receive a high-quality science education built on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). These standards promote hands-on, inquiry-based learning that encourages curiosity and critical thinking. Through engaging lessons and investigations, students not only build a strong foundation in science content but also develop lifelong skills like communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and adaptability.

We are committed to creating meaningful STEM learning experiences across all grade levels. This includes continued investment in STEM classrooms and Makerspaces, where students explore, design, experiment, and innovate.

Math Pathways

While all Evergreen students take integrated mathematics in 7th and 8th grade, Evergreen offers an "accelerated" pathway that begins in 7th grade. Students are identified for the "accelerated" pathway at the end of 6th grade and once enrolled will take a compacted course that covers and assesses both 7th and 8th grade content standards in 7th grade. As 8th graders, students take a high school CCSS (Common Core State Standards) Math 1 equivalent class. It is the expectation that students who complete this course in grade 8 will be prepared for CCSS Math 2 as freshman.

Students who exceed 5th and 6th grade standards as measured by the Smarter Balanced assessment (CAASPP), meet minimum proficiency on a 6th grade diagnostic placement exam (raw score of at least 32) and maintain satisfactory grades will automatically be enrolled in the "accelerated" pathway in 7th grade.

While the accelerated pathway is an opportunity for some students, it may not necessarily be a preferred pathway. Parents may opt to have their acceleration-eligible student remain in the traditional sequence. It is important to remember that Common Core provides a structure of coherence and connections that facilitate deep connections with mathematical concepts. Students enrolled in the accelerated pathway will move very rapidly through a compacted curriculum. Should you have any further questions, please contact your school.

Arts & Music

On November 8, 2022, California voters approved Proposition 28 - Arts and Music in Schools (AMS) Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act. This initiative mandates the establishment of a new, ongoing program to support arts instruction in schools, starting in the 2023-2024 school year. Proposition 28 aims to enhance, not replace, existing arts and music education programs.

Funding Allocation

The California Department of Education (CD) will automatically allocate funds to each K-12 school district. This allocation will follow the methodology specified in subdivision (c) of Education Code Section 8820. The distribution is based on two key factors:

The school district's share of statewide total enrollment.
The share of economically disadvantaged students enrolled at each eligible school within the school district.

Expenditure Requirements

Proposition 28 includes specific expenditure requirements for school districts with more than 500 students:

At least 80% of the funds must be used to employ certificated and classified employees who provide arts education instruction.
The remaining funds can be used for training, supplies, curriculum development, professional learning, materials, and arts educational partnership programs.

School Site Expenditure Plans

Proposition 28 requires each school site to develop an annual expenditure plan detailing how the received funds will be spent. You can view our board-approved Evergreen School District's School Site expenditure plans and annual report:

By supporting arts and music education, Proposition 28 ensures that our students receive a well-rounded education that includes creative and cultural development. For more information, we encourage you to review the California Department of Education - Proposition 28 - Arts and Music in Schools Funding FAQs.

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