Dorado Academy's language of instruction is English. English plays a major role in the entire academic program. The English program begins in Pre-Kinder and Kindergarten grades with emphasis on developing oral and listening skills in English. The English program emphasis on related activities that provide support and practice for those students who are acquiring English as a second language and for those who need additional language development. It focuses on enhancing student's comprehension.

In all grades the program continues the emphasis on oral language development, appreciation of quality literature, composing and writing and making curriculum connections with the rest of the subject areas. The program permits students to acquire the knowledge, understanding and skill that permits the student's participation in a satisfying and responsible role in society.

Spanish Program (back to top)

Dorado Academy's Spanish program begins in the first grade. Spanish is taught as a first language and at grade level in grades 1st through 12th for 50 minutes everyday. The program integrates reading and language arts in literature to support and enhance oral and written literacy for Spanish speaking students.

Spanish as a second language (SSL) program is offered to students who cannot work at grade level because Spanish is their second language. In this program students are placed according to the student's level of proficiency and the groups are small.

Math Program (back to top)

The mathematics program provides students with a way of logical thinking. It is the strategy of patterns and relationships. Math is a discipline whose essence depends on critical thinking, creative and visual thinking and decision making. Our program provides many opportunities for students to make connections among different topics in math and to connect math to other subjects areas and everyday experiences. This program provides the student with the ability to communicate mathematical ideas verbally, in writing, or by means of models or pictorial representation.

Through activities, manipulative and games that focus on problem solving, students learn to think and question and make decisions with confidence. Students are provided with alternative opportunities to master math skills and concepts.

Science Program (back to top)

The science program provides a sense of the order in the universe and civilization's major intellectual achievements. It provides the students with the tools they need to build understanding in active learning and hands on activities. They learn to focus on solid science as they investigate the big ideas, question their surroundings and make real-world connections.

By the time our students reach high school, they will have had sufficient scientific knowledge to be aware of themselves as biological organisms in a physical world and be able to function effectively as responsible citizens in a society increasingly shaped by science and technology. They need not only know about science by also understand the fundamentals of how to carry out scientific experiments and evaluations.

Social Studies Program (back to top)

The social studies program focuses on the complexity of our social environment. Social studies combines the study of history and the social sciences and promotes skills in citizenship. Students are taught and will understand how modern societies function and how they have developed. They need information concerning past civilizations and their links to present ones.

Through the social studies program at Dorado Academy we will have enriched each student with an awareness of culture and history as stated in our school philosophy. The social studies program also includes three full years of Puerto Rican History. Puerto Rican History is offered in the 4th, 7th, and 10th grades. We live in a bicultural country and our students need to be aware of both cultures and history.

Art & Music Program (back to top)

Dorado Academy's art and music programs challenges and extends students experiences. It provides means of expression that goes beyond ordinary speaking and writing. Through art and music the students can express thoughts and feelings. Through art and music students can learn distinctive ways of understanding human beings and nature. The students enrich their lives both by self-expression and response to the expression of others. The students engage their imagination, foster flexible ways of thinking, develop disciplined effort and build self-confidence.

Computer Program (back to top)

In Dorado Academy we realize that a revolution in communications and information technology is making the computer a basic tool, and not just a toy, for acquiring knowledge, organizing systems and solving problems. It is having a profound influence on learning and on the rest of the world. The computer program provides access to bodies of knowledge in each of the academic disciplines. Knowledge of the computer will provide our students an understanding of the full range of procedures that may be applied to organizing information and solving problems in math science, language and the arts.

Every student is provided with a computer in the computer lab. Middle School concentrates on typing, learning MS Word and introduction to Power Point. Once the student enters High School, more intensive instruction is given on all the major programs used today:

MS Word
Power Point
Publisher
Excel
Scanning
Web Page

The latest technology is explored every year and "how to" compare, buy and maintain hardware and software is analyzed. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is our guideline for the standards we strive to achieve and surpass.

Physical Education Program (back to top)

The physical education program reflects the goals and objectives of the school by developing the physical, social and intellectual areas of the student. Physical education is an integral part of the curriculum The structure and organization of the physical education program contributes to the formation of the student development in understanding his/her worth, abilities, potentialities and limitations.

DA is a member of the Puerto Rico's High School Athletic Alliance (PRHSAA) and the Mini Athletic League of Private Schools. Our students participate in the following intramural events:

Track and Field
Cross-Country
Volleyball
Basketball
Golf
Tennis
Soccer
Indoor Soccer