Academics
"We must believe that we are gifted at something, and that this thing,
at whatever cost, must be attained." Marie Curie
Curriculum
In alignment with our mission, ACES Technical Charter School (ACES Tech) provides a high quality, comprehensive, exciting, and rigorous educational program towards preparing ALL students for colleges and careers. We do so with a purposeful respect and regard for the diverse cultural backgrounds and gifts that each student brings, as reflected in our curriculum, our instruction, and in the supports and enrichment made available to our students.
We are in the process of adopting curriculum for each of the academic areas. We first reviewed the NM state adoption text lists and the edreports.org ratings in order to narrow the many available curriculum choices. The charts below display the finalists in the core subject areas, including the vendors and the ratings that their curriculum programs have received. All of the finalists offer outstanding programs; one is selected as our core curriculum and another as our supplemental curriculum. Beyond these complete selections, teachers will utilize additional resources throughout the year to aid in their daily instruction.
EdReports.org as a Vetting Resource
A primary source that ACES Tech uses to help determine the quality of available curriculum options is edreports.org. This site reviews many curriculum options using review rubrics developed by educators. Each curriculum option is given ratings for three areas: 1) Text Complexity and Quality, 2) Building Knowledge with Texts, Vocabulary, and Tasks, and 3) Instructional Supports and Usability. Edreports uses many criterion to review available curricula, including alignment to standards, rigor, and the extent to which the text supports students becoming more independent readers and better writers. Correlating this thorough review resource with state instructional materials reviews offers confidence that the top rated curriculum are very sound.
English Language Arts
Vendor Organization and Program |
EdReports.org Ratings Focus and Coherence |
EdReports.org Ratings Rigor and Practices |
EdReports.org Ratings Usability |
State Ratings NMPED |
ACES Decision
Core / Supplemental
|
Pearson myPerspectives |
Grade 6: 36/36 Grade 7: 36/36 Grade 8: 36/36 |
32/32 32/32 32/32 |
34/34 34/34 34/34 |
N/A | CORE |
Great Minds Wit and Wisdom |
Grade 6: 36/36 Grade 7: 36/36 Grade 8: 36/36 |
32/32 32/32 32/32 |
34/34 34/34 34/34 |
N/A | SUPP |
Mathematics
Vendor Organization and Program |
EdReports.org Ratings Focus and Coherence |
EdReports.org Ratings Rigor and Practices |
EdReports.org Ratings Usability |
State Ratings NMPED |
ACES Decision
Core / Supplemental
|
Carnegie Learning Learning Math Solution |
Grade 6: 14/14
Grade 7: 14/14 Grade 8: 14/14 Algebra: 15/18
|
18/18
18/18 18/18 15/16
|
33/38
33/38 33/38 30/36
|
Course 1: 93.89%
Course 2: 96.78% Course 3: 96.28% Algebra: 91.17%
|
CORE |
Agile Mind Middle School Mathematics |
Grade 6: 13/14
Grade 7: 13/14 Grade 8: 13/14 Algebra: 16/18
|
17/18
17/18 17/18 17/18
|
31/38
31/38 31/38 35/36
|
Online Student
6th: 94.17% 7th: 93.22% 8th: 96.33% Algebra: 84.22%
|
SUPP |
Science
Vendor Organization and Program |
EdReports.org Ratings Focus and Coherence |
EdReports.org Ratings Rigor and Practices |
EdReports.org Ratings Usability |
State Ratings NMPED |
ACES Decision
Core / Supplemental
|
Pearson Elevate Science Life, Earth, and Physical |
N/A | N/A | N/A | Life: 93.2% Physical - 99.2% Earth - 97.2% |
CORE |
Accelerated Learning STEMScopes |
N/A | N/A | N/A | Life - 98.8% Physical: 97.0% Earth: 97.2% |
SUPP |
Social Studies
Vendor Organization and Program |
EdReports.org Ratings Focus and Coherence |
EdReports.org Ratings Rigor and Practices |
EdReports.org Ratings Usability |
State Ratings NMPED |
ACES Decision
Core / Supplemental
|
Cengage National Geographic
World Cultures and Geography World History Great Civilizations
|
N/A | N/A | N/A |
Grade 6: 96%
Grade 7: 94%
|
CORE |
HMH Social Studies
World Civilizations
United States History: Beginnings to 1877
|
N/A | N/A | N/A |
Grade 6: 92%
Grade 8: 92%
|
SUPP |
Gibbs The New Mexico Journey |
N/A | N/A | N/A | Grade 7: 90% | CORE-7th grade |
Grading Scale
Letter Grades | A+ | A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- | D+ | D | F |
ACES Tech Ranges | 100-97 | 96-93 | 92-90 | 89-87 | 86-83 | 82-80 | 79-77 | 76-73 | 72-70 | 69-67 | 66-65 | <65 |
Course Sequence - Middle School
The ACES Tech course sequence is designed to provide students with a well-rounded collection of academic opportunities. The four core academic areas are complemented every year with important development in global language, fine arts, physical education and STEM exploration. Below are the course sequences that have been developed for our middle school level. These course sequence charts are for general guidance only. They are subject to modification as we continuously improve our educational program and as more elective and advanced level options are developed.
Subject Area | Fall Courses (Semester A) | Spring Courses (Semester B) |
English Language Arts | English 6A | English 6B |
Mathematics | Math 6A | Math 6B |
Science | Earth Science 6A | Earth Science 6B |
Social Studies | World Civilizations 6A | World Civilizations 6B |
Music | Music 6A | Music 6B |
STEM Activities | STEM Exploration 6A | STEM Exploration 6B |
Grade 7 Sequence
Subject Area | Fall Courses (Semester A) | Spring Courses (Semester B) |
English Language Arts | English 7A | English 7B |
Mathematics | Math 7A | Math 7B |
Science | Physical Science 7A | Physical Science 7B |
Social Studies | New Mexico History 7A | New Mexico History 7B |
Global Language | Spanish 7A | Spanish 7B |
Music | Band A or Music Production A | Band B or Music Production B |
STEM Activities | All Courses and Tech Time | All Courses and Tech Time |
Grade 8 Sequence
Subject Area | Fall Courses (Semester A) | Spring Courses (Semester B) |
English Language Arts | English 8A | English 8B |
Mathematics | Algebra 8A | Algebra 8B |
Science | Life Science 8A | Life Science 8B |
Social Studies | US History 8A | US History 8B |
Music | Band A or Music Production A | Band B or Music Production B |
Global Language | Spanish 8A | |
Health | Health 8A | |
STEM | All Courses and Tech Time | All Courses and Tech Time |
Library and Research Resources
There are a wealth of physical and digital resources available for students to utilize as they continue down their educational journey. Students are encouraged to visit local libraries to review books, research papers, references, and magazines in their areas of study and interest.
Albuquerque Library System: http://albuq.cabq.gov/
Rio Rancho Library: http://www.riorancholibraries.org/
Google Scholar:https://scholar.google.com/
New Mexico State Library System: http://elportalnm.org/
Online Writing Lab (MLA format, etc.): https://owl.english.purdue.edu/