K-8 Academics


Curricula & opportunities designed with intention.


Female teacher helps a male student with an assignment

Confident & socially oriented.

At New Foundations, our students learn the skills they’ll need to make knowledgeable choices, while creating their own paths throughout their lives. 

To encourage our students to be confident and socially-oriented citizens, we integrate the competencies and skills all New Foundations students must learn during their time with us.

At all grade levels, our curriculum intentionally incorporates service-learning, academic understanding, social awareness, and emotional well-being.

Our Graduate Profile

By leading with the outcomes we wish for our students, a working group of administrators, teachers, students and parents developed what is best for our students at every level. From this work, the Graduate Profile was born: New Foundations Charter School’s standard of academic understanding, civic engagement, & emotional wellbeing. The Graduate Profile is our compass - guiding all aspects of our work to ensure NFCS students secure a bright future.

AcademicknowladgeCollegeCareerReadyIndependenceSocialImotionalSkillsAnalyticThinkingComunityAwareness

Information & Resources 

The development of a strategic curriculum for New Foundations focuses on ensuring continuity of academic rigor and student growth throughout our K-12 programming.  

Based on the outcomes outlined in our Graduate Profile, our K-12 curriculum articulates and implements a vision and system for teaching and learning that is intentionally interdisciplinary and is standards based.  No matter the age, gender, race, or capability of a student, the academic experience is designed to be engaging, relevant, community driven, and centered around preparing students for a successful post secondary path.  

Starting in kindergarten, students participate in cross-grade level elective classes, which offer a variety of subject areas. These classes allow students in grades K-8 to explore and discover new interests, such as the arts, sciences, and even entrepreneurship. Special programs such as Buddies and Community Meetings allow students the opportunity to collaborate and work through personal or academic obstacles with peers, teachers, and other members of the school community in a safe and supported way.

New Foundations' Flexible Instructional Day (FID) program has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and is valid for three school years: 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26. A Flexible Instructional Day (FID) program is intended to be used when circumstances prevent the delivery of in-person instruction on a regularly-scheduled school day. For example, this can include an epidemic, hazardous weather conditions lasting more than two (2) school days, law enforcement emergency, inoperability of school buses or other equipment necessary to New Foundations' operation, damage to a school building(s), or another temporary circumstance rendering any portion of a school building(s) unfit or unsafe for use. Utilizing a Flexible Instructional Day means that all students will be expected to log on and participate in a virtual learning format for the entirety of the school day. In the event that an FID is utilized, all students, families of students, and staff will be notified as soon as the decision is made via email, telephone emergency notification alert system, and school website and social media page postings. Detailed instructions on how the FID will be implemented will also be provided in the aforementioned notification. For more information regarding Flexible Instructional Day programs, please visit: Pennsylvania Department of Education - Flexible Instructional Days Program 

When a Flex day is used, see the following videos on how to login to zoom

Grades K-7

Grades 8 - 12

K-8 Supply List
HS Supply List:
Students should return on the first day with their fully charged school-issued Chromebook or laptop. Freshmen and new students will receive their devices during orientation. In addition, individual teachers will share their supply requirements on the first day of classes. We recommend students be prepared with 1-2 folders, 1-2 notebooks or binders and both pens and pencils.

TODAY I WILL CARE. 

I WILL CARE FOR MY CLASSMATES AND MYSELF. I WILL CARE FROM MY SCHOOL AND MY COMMUNITY. I WILL STRIVE TO BE THE BEST STUDENT. I WILL BE RESPECTFUL, HONEST, AND FAIR TO THOSE AROUND ME, IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL

I WILL WORK TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND HELP MY CLASSMATES WORK TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY. I BELIEVE I CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING IF I GIVE IT MY FULL EFFORT AND ENERGY. I WILL WORK TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

Integrative & Intentional Academics



40+ dynamic electives offered to NFCS K-8 students.


100% school issued technology for all K-8 students.



1:8 Instructional staff to K-8 student ratio to ensure ample support.

Our K-8 Administrators

Erin Herschberger Erin Herschberger

Erin Herschberger

K-8 Principal

David Bullock David Bullock

David Bullock

Vice Principal

Stephanie Dougherty Stephanie Dougherty

Stephanie Dougherty

Vice Principal

Robert Stack Robert Stack

Robert Stack

Dean of Students

Christine Boyd Christine Boyd

Christine Boyd

Instructional Coach

An Intentional Curriculum