Academics at Porter Academy

Rigorous, Individualized Instruction

Every child learns differently — and at Porter Academy, our academic program is built around that fact. We combine a rigorous core curriculum with evidence-based, multi-sensory instruction, delivered in small, level-based groups so each student is working at their true “just-right challenge,” not just their grade level.

Core Curriculum

Our foundation is the Core Knowledge Curriculum, a broad, content-rich course of study spanning language arts, math, history, geography, science, and the arts — the same rigorous academic content you’d expect from any strong PreK–8 program.

Reading & Math, Matched to Each Learner

Because students come to us with a range of learning profiles, we don’t rely on a single method for teaching reading or math. Instead, we draw on several evidence-based programs and match each student to the approach that works for them:

• Zoo Phonics – foundational phonics for our youngest learners
• Wilson Decoding/Encoding – explicit, structured phonics for decoding
• Edmark Reading – a whole-word approach for students who struggle with traditional phonics
• Lindamood-Bell – builds the underlying sensory-cognitive skills behind reading, spelling, and comprehension
• TouchMath – multi-sensory math instruction using numerals as physical manipulatives

Small, Level-Based Groups

Students are placed in homerooms developmentally, then grouped further by academic level in each subject — reading and math groups can differ for the same student. Academic groups never exceed 8 students, so instruction stays targeted and pace stays right for each child.

• Lower School (Developmentally, preK through 3rd grade): homerooms capped at 12 students, academic groups of 6 or fewer
• Upper School (Developmentally, 3rd grade-8th grade): departmental model, students rotate for academics, groups capped at 8

Grounded in the Whole Child

Strong academics only work when a child is regulated and ready to learn — which is why our classroom instruction is paired with the therapeutic and sensory support described in Our Approach. Here, though, the focus is the academics themselves: rigorous, evidence-based, and tailored to how your child actually learns.