The Hillsboro School District is proud to announce a transformative step forward in elementary education. On May 12, 2025, the Board of Education approved the adoption of Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) - a comprehensive reading and language arts curriculum - for all kindergarten through fifth-grade students beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.
This decision reflects an intensive review process in which teaching staff evaluated and previewed numerous programs. The process also included a visit to Brookwood, where staff observed CKLA in action and gathered feedback from teachers using the program.
The results were clear: CKLA delivers the powerful literacy foundation that Hillsboro students deserve.
CKLA stands apart as a curriculum that reliably addresses the diverse needs of students. By systematically building essential literacy skills through engaging content, it creates a pathway to reading success for every child. The curriculum's emphasis on explicit phonics instruction in early grades, coupled with rich vocabulary development and progressively challenging texts, empowers students to become confident, capable readers and writers.
As HSD begins full implementation in the 2025-2026 school year, the district will provide professional development to ensure teachers have the tools and support they need to maximize the curriculum's impact. This ongoing commitment to excellence in instruction reflects the district's dedication to continuous improvement in service of its students.