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 have adopted high quality curriculum for each of the academic areas. We 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. 

For a closer look at our STEM curriculum, click HERE!.

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.

 

Grade 6 Sequence
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/