Academic Curricula

At The Maddux School, we are committed to providing a rigorous, developmentally appropriate educational experience tailored to each child’s unique strengths and needs. Our academic program is built on a foundation of high standards, thoughtful design, and a deep understanding of how children learn best.  

Our Unique Curriculum 

We’ve developed a state-approved curriculum that blends grade-level standards from both the Common Core State Standards and the Maryland State Curriculum. This hybrid approach allows us to maintain academic rigor while adapting to the developmental needs of our students. 

Our goal is to help students become critical thinkers, flexible problem-solvers, and confident learners. We celebrate the diverse personalities, interests, and learning styles of our students, and we strive to create “just right” learning opportunities that build on their strengths and support areas of challenge. 

Integrated Academic & Social Growth 

At Maddux, academics and social learning go hand in hand. Our talented teachers and therapists work in transdisciplinary teams to design multi-sensory, engaging activities that promote growth across a wide range of domains, including:

• Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Writing
• Science
• Social Studies
• Communication
• Executive Functioning
• Emotional Regulation
• Play and Social Interaction 

These integrated experiences ensure that students are not only learning content but also developing the skills to apply it meaningfully in real-world contexts. 

The Maddux Model 
The truly wonderful and unique aspect of The Maddux School is our focus on teaching through the Arts. As students work to build a strong foundation of academic skills and develop a strong sense of self, they are also taken on a journey that exposes them to rich literary experiences and awe-inspiring creations. Our social studies and social skills units are the jumping-off point for an integrated approach that lands with designing, constructing, and creating. Along the way, our students become reflective, flexible and confident. 

Each spring, students prepare for our Arts & Literacy Festival by exploring well-regarded authors and high-quality children’s literature. The discovery continues as students research the work of famous artists and artwork and set out to make their own museum-worthy creations. Their work is showcased at this culminating event of the school year. 

Pre-Kindergarten 
Students begin their educational journey with self-discovery, by enjoying books and activities in our “All About Me” unit. Learning about letters and numbers is key and instruction is embedded in play, arts and crafts, and hands-on learning experiences.  In addition to multi-sensory activities in core academic areas, students are also learning how to identify their feelings, use their words to get what they want and need, and how to talk to and play with friends.  Our Pre-Kindergarten curriculum establishes a strong foundation for a love of life-long learning and a desire for lasting relationships. 

Kindergarten 
As students continue their educational journey at The Maddux School, the focus shifts to “My Community” as they learn important skills needed to be a positive member of a group. Our kindergartners set out to explore the important roles people play in establishing safe, nurturing communities and cities and begin to evaluate their own strengths as they set goals for the future. Furthermore, they continue to grow socially and academically with continued exposure to multi-sensory activities and direct instruction.  
 
First Grade 
Students continue to grow and learn as they embark on discovering “All About the USA.” In addition to instilling a strong sense of independence and patriotism, this unit helps students celebrate and respect differences among others. It also exposes students to the hard work and sacrifice made by many famous Americans before them. Academic rigor continues in First Grade as students’ learning becomes more challenging and expectations increase. Students receive concrete, explicit instruction in a variety of curricula and participate in daily journal writing, science experiments, technology-based activities and more.  

Second Grade 
The exploration continues in Second Grade as students venture “Around the World,” expanding their understanding of cultures, attitudes and ideologies that may differ from their own. The thrust in second grade is to push students to become more independent and reflective in their educational experiences. While continuing to receive direct instruction using tailored curricula, students are expected to take on more responsibility within the classroom and to develop leadership skills as they prepare for new opportunities and challenges