Programs
Our Foundations Pods
Foundational literacy instruction. English language arts that fits your child’s stage of learning.
Cupertino Academy’s Foundations program combines specialized literacy intervention with a complete English language arts curriculum. Each pod follows a focused two-hour structure, with foundational reading and spelling instruction during the first hour and broader ELA instruction during the second.
We offer three Foundations pod options: Early Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle School. These names describe the ELA focus of the second hour. Each child’s literacy needs continue to guide their foundational reading instruction.
This structure allows students to strengthen essential reading skills while engaging with language, ideas, and writing appropriate to their stage of learning.
How it works · A homeschool partnership
A homeschool partnership, not a co-op.
Cupertino Academy provides daily, specialized literacy intervention and your child’s complete English language arts curriculum. Families oversee the remaining subjects — whether they already homeschool or are considering it for the first time — and we offer curriculum suggestions to help.
Monday–Friday
Students attend Cupertino Academy five days a week.
A daily 2-hour block
Foundations pods meet 12:15–2:15 p.m. in a focused, two-hour literacy immersion block. A few dates differ — see the academic calendar.
Families oversee the rest
Math, science, history, and electives, with curriculum suggestions from us if you would like them.
We teach the complete ELA
Reading, spelling, handwriting, vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and writing — no separate ELA curriculum needed.
Inside the two hours
How the two-hour structure works.
Together, the two hours provide your child’s complete English language arts curriculum. Families do not need to purchase or teach a separate ELA curriculum at home.
Hour 1 — Foundational reading and spelling
Students receive explicit, systematic Structured Literacy instruction rooted in the Orton-Gillingham approach. Instruction focuses on foundational reading and spelling skills, with lessons responsive to each student’s individual literacy needs.
Hour 2 — English language arts
Students participate in ELA instruction designed for an early elementary, upper elementary, or middle school learning level. This portion of the program includes read-alouds, comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, handwriting, and writing, with content and expectations suited to the group.
Three Foundations pods
One program, three ELA groupings.
Every pod meets Monday–Friday, 12:15–2:15 p.m., with a maximum of four students, and every pod begins with the same foundational reading and spelling instruction. The names below describe the ELA focus of the second hour. A few dates differ — see the academic calendar.
Early Elementary
Foundational reading and spelling instruction paired with early elementary English language arts. During the second hour, students build language and comprehension through read-alouds and discussion while developing handwriting, grammar, and early writing skills.
Hour 2 focus
- Interactive read-alouds and discussion
- Language and listening comprehension
- Handwriting
- Beginning grammar
- Early writing
Upper Elementary
Foundational reading and spelling instruction paired with upper elementary English language arts. During the second hour, students develop vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and written expression through engaging texts, discussion, and supported writing.
Hour 2 focus
- Engaging texts and discussion
- Vocabulary development
- Reading comprehension
- Grammar
- Supported written expression
Middle School
Foundational reading and spelling instruction paired with middle school English language arts. During the second hour, students engage with age-appropriate literature, topics, and discussion while strengthening vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and organized written expression.
A middle school student can receive foundational reading and spelling intervention while taking part in ELA instruction that respects their age and interests. The literature, topics, and discussion are chosen for a middle school learner — never for a younger one.
Hour 2 focus
- Age-appropriate literature and topics
- Discussion and analysis
- Vocabulary and morphology
- Grammar and mechanics
- Organized written expression
Placement
Thoughtful placement for each learner.
Every student’s placement at Cupertino Academy takes both their WADE assessment results and their current grade level into consideration. We review these together to recommend the most appropriate Foundations pod — Early Elementary, Upper Elementary, or Middle School.
Our goal is to pair the foundational literacy instruction your child needs with English language arts instruction suited to their grade and stage of learning.
A student may need support with foundational reading and spelling skills while also benefiting from more mature literature, discussions, and writing topics. Considering assessment results alongside current grade level helps us address those needs together.
The Early Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle School labels describe the ELA groupings within our Foundations program. They do not represent a student’s assessed reading grade level, and they are not a required sequence of intervention stages.
All Foundations pods follow the same two-hour structure: specialized literacy intervention during Hour 1 and broader ELA instruction during Hour 2.
The structure
A focused part of the day, done exceptionally well.
Cupertino Academy is neither a tutoring center nor a traditional homeschool hybrid. We provide the most specialized portion of a child's education — literacy — through daily, small-class instruction, while families homeschool everything else.
- A daily two-hour literacy block, part-time, Monday through Friday
- Reading, spelling, writing, language & comprehension
- Continuous assessment and parent communication
Wondering which Foundations pod fits your child?
Reach out and we'll talk through your child's literacy history, needs, and goals together.
Submit an Inquiry