Curriculum & Schedules for Primary & Secondary Schools

Overview
Academics
Ashram Curriculum
Terms
Pilgrimages & Vacations
Exams & Assessment
Reports
Degrees
Graduation
General Schedule

The curriculum – centered on the 14 subjects of Vedic knowledge – is studied in the context of Srimad Bhagavatam and Srila Prabhupada's teachings.

The 14 subjects comprise:

• Transcendental knowledge: Vedanta & Pancaratra
  • Philosophy
  • Pancaratra: The concepts & philosophy of Deity worship , Festivals & Sadhana
• Vedic Sciences: Veda & Vedanga
  • Mantra: Vedic & classical
  • Sanskrit: Phonetics, Prosody (meter), Grammar & Vocabulary
  • Kalpa: Vedic Rites of Passage & Sacrifice
  • Jyotisa: Astronomy, Astrology & Vedic Math
• Arts & Social Sciences: Upanga
  • Communication Skills: The concept of language & English
  • Nyaya: Logic & Mimamsa; Hermeneutics – The law of interpretation
  • Purana: History, Geography & Natural Science
  • Civics: Varnasrama, Administration, Economics & Ethics
  • Upaveda: Principles of the Vedic Performing Arts, Medicine, Fine Arts, Architecture &Vastu
  • The 64 Arts

The 14 subjects are grouped according their methods of teaching, as follows:

• Communication Skills
  Philosophy & Deity Worship; Logic; Communication Skills (English); History, Geography & Natural Science; Civics; and the principles of Vedic – Performing Arts, Medicine, Fine Arts, Architecture & Vastu
• Astronomy, Astrology & Vedic Math
• Sanskrit
• Mantra
  Vedic Mantras, Rites & Sacrifice
• The 64 Arts

The syllabus is equivalent to grades one through twelve. Lessons are taught using tutorial and multilevel classroom methods. This involves the more senior students teaching the junior students as they master their lessons. Thus all students benefit by both learning and teaching simultaneously.

Below is a general approximation of how the Bhaktivedanta Academy Levels of study relate to the US Grade system and the Indian Standard. The curriculum is divided into three levels: preliminary, primary, and secondary:

• Level One:
  • Preliminary course - Grade 1/Class 1
  • Foundational course: Part One - Grade 2/Class 2 & Grade 3/Standard 1
  • Foundational course: Part Two - Grade 4/Standard 2 & Grade 5/Standard 3
• Level Two:
  • Primary course: Part One - Grade 6/Standard 4 & Grade 7/Standard 5
  • Primary course: Part Two - Grade 8/Standard 6
  • Primary course: Part Three - Grade 9/Standard 7
• Level Three:
  • Secondary course: Part One - Grade 10/Standard 8
  • Secondary course: Part Two - Grade 11/Standard 9
  • Secondary course: Part Three - Grade 12/Standard 10

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Academics:

Communication Skills:

• English communication skills include Phonetics, Grammar, Writing and Public Speaking.
  • The Phonetics program: reading, handwriting, spelling & vocabulary .
    • Reading – developing reading skills-through learning the 70 Phonograms comprising the English Language
    • Handwriting – based on the 26 qualities of a devotee
    • Spelling – the 18 spelling rules
    • Vocabulary
      • 1500 of the most commonly used English words with Sanskrit synonyms
      • Vocabulary, definitions & concepts of the fundaments of the 14 Books of Vedic Knowledge
• Grammar: students learn the concepts, function and usage of language to effect practical communication skills.
  • As English is comprised of components mainly borrowed from other languages, it's grammatical framework, by necessity, tends to be somewhat arbitrary, molded by popular usage. Traditionally therefore, English Grammar was taught in comparison with Latin Grammar to lend to it a more logical structure.
  • In pursuance of this same principle, the Academy's English course is taught in relationship to Sanskrit Grammar, to provide students with a clear understanding of language, grammar and communication.
• Writing: training in different genres, such as – narrative, imaginative, formal writing, various forms of poetry, creative writing, reports, etc.
• Public Speaking: to create confidence through logical reasoning, oral communication skills are taught according to the directions given in Vedic literatures.

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• The preliminary level: The Phonetics Program.
  • Reading , handwriting, spelling & vocabulary .
  • Profiles on the personalities mentioned in the Bhagavad-gita
  • The Hitopadesa serves as the reading material.
• The primary level: Grammar.
  • Profiles on the personalities mentioned in the Mahabharata
  • The Mahabharata serves as subject & reading material.
• The secondary level: Writing & presentation skills
  • The 14 Books of Vedic Knowledge serve as subject & reading material.
    • Vedic and Vaisnava Studies:
      • Philosophy
        • Sastra-caksus: History of Philosophy & Religion
        • Bhakti-sastri
        • Bhakti-sastri-visarada
      • Nyaya: Logic – analytical & presentation skills
      • Pancharatra: The concepts & philosophy of Deity worship
    • The Social Science courses include:
      • History, Geography & Natural Science according to the Vedic concept from creation to the contemporary
        • Civics:
        • Dharma-sastra: the cultural & philosophical concepts of Varna-asrama
        • Arta-sastra: political science & economics
        • Niti-sastra: ethics
        • Ghandarva veda: the concepts of Musicology, Dramaturgy & Dance
        • Ayurveda: concepts of medicine and healthcare
        • Stapanaveda: concepts of architecture
    • The history and development of the 14 subjects of Vedic knowledge , as understood and practiced by non-vedic civilizations, both ancient and contemporary.

Jyotish & Vedic Math:

The Vedic math course teaches the calculation skills of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and trigonometry, through 16 aphorisms and 13 sub-aphorisms derived from the Vedic literatures. To apply these skills, students are taught the theory and application of astronomy and astrology.

• The preliminary level:
  • The concept of numbers & arithmetic
  • The histories of the 9 planets & 27 constellations
  • The structure of the universe
  • Kurma vibhaga : spherical geometry
  • The kala purusa : the concept of time & movement
  • The fundamental vocabulary & concepts of:
  • Astronomy & astrology
  • Palmistry
  • Vastu
  • Numerology
• The primary level:
  • The system of Vedic mathematical calculation
  • The fundamental calculations of astronomy & astrology.
• The secondary level:
  • The detailed application of astronomy & astrology.

Sanskrit:

Students learn spoken Sanskrit, Sanskrit grammar, prosody (poetic meter), vocabulary & phonetics.

• Grammar:
  • Srila Jiva Goswami's Lagu Harinamarta Vyakarana
  • Dhatu-samgraha
  • Vishnu Sharma's Hitopadesa (Sanskrit text) as reading material.
• Prosody:
  • Baladeva Vidyabhusana's Chanda Kaustubha
  • Rupa Goswami's Astha dasa chanda .
• Vocabulary:
  • Amara Sar
  • Yaska's Nirukta .
• Phonetics:
  • Naradiya Siksa
  • Pannani Siksa.

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• The preliminary level:
  • Spoken Sanskrit
  • Learning the Devanagari alphabet
  • The concepts of grammar
  • Memorizing Sanskrit sutra 's on vocabulary & grammatical rules.
• The primary & secondary levels:
  • Laghu Harinamarta Vyakarana
  • Prosody & phonetics

Mantra:

Memorization of verses for preaching, Deity worship & yajnas .

• The preliminary level:
  • Sanskrit pronunciation
  • Memorizing the 62 verses of Sri Brahma Samhita
• The primary level:
  • Memorizing The 18 chapters of Bhagavad Gita
  • Memorizing selected verses from Srimad Bhagavatam & other literatures, quoted by Srila Prabhupada & the Acaryas .
• The secondary level:
  • Memorizing Vedic mantras for festivals, Deity worship & yajna .
  • Learning the 64 items of Deity worship according to Pancharatra Pradip

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Asrama Curriculum:

As a foundation, students are trained in developing qualities of character such as humility, simplicity, honesty, and respect for authority, by – maintaining a spiritual asrama environment, emphasizing deep teacher student relationships, both formal and informal, and through training and engaging the students in responsible services such as cooking, cleaning and Deity worship.

• To develop spiritual acumen, students engage in standard forms of sadhana and Vaisnava etiquette according to the directions of Srila Prabhupada, the previous Acaryas and the Vedic literatures.
• Students are trained in the aristocratic ghoti style of Kolkata cooking as used by Srila Prabhupada.
• As Srila Prabhupada emphasized the importance of cleanliness in Brahminical culture, training includes standards of cleanliness in cooking, Deity worship, living facilities, personal belongings and personal hygiene – both in aspects of physical cleanliness and the subtleties of purity.
• Qualified students worship the school Deities according to the process described in the Pancharatra Pradipa

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Terms:

The Bhaktivedanta Academy school year is divided into three terms: Rama, Krsna & Hayagriva; with two main academic blocks:

• Hayagriva: Visvarupa Mahotsava – Vasant Pancami
  • The main academic session.
• Rama: Nityananda Triyodasi – Nrsimha Caturdasi
  • The secondary academic session.
• Krsna: Nrsimha Caturdasi – Visvarupa Mahotsava .
  • For academics, preaching engagements, pilgrimages, temple openings & Deity installations.
• The main academic blocks:
  • Visvarupa Mahotsava – Vasant Pancami
  • Gaura Purnima – Guru Purnima

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Pilgrimages & Vacations:

• Parents who spend time with their children on vacation are recommended to take them on pilgrimage to holy places within India.
• Except during the Vasant Pancami– Nityananda Triyodasi break, students are expected to stay in the asrama and follow the asrama programs while in Mayapur.
• Parents may make arrangements with the school staff to visit their children during the child's free time.

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Exams & Assessment:

Student evaluation is based on exam results, and a continuous assessment of completed assignments, oral testing and character development.

Exams are held twice yearly:

• Mid-terms, at the conclusion of the Hayagriva term
• Final exams on Guru Purnima

The minimum pass mark for exams is 50%

Final results are calculated as follows:

• 60% continuous assessment
  • Behavior, attitude & attendance 5%
  • Participation in the lessons (general comments; answering questions) 5%
  • Oral testing 10%
  • Mid-term exam results 10%
  • Assignments completed & submitted at the allocated time 30%
• 40% final exam

The minimum percentage required for students to progress to the next level is 60%.

Results from exams and continuous assessment appear in the students records and report cards.

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Reports:

Reports consist of an evaluation of academic & asrama educational progress

• Study habits & teaching skills
• Acquired knowledge & ability
• Etiquette, sadhana & service attitude.

Reports cards are sent out to parents twice yearly:

• A general assessment at the end of the Hayagriva term
• A full report at the end of the Krsna term.

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Degrees:

The secondary educational program degrees:

Sastra-caksus
Bhakti-sastri
Bhakti-sastri-visarada
Upadyaya Degrees
Bhakti-anucana

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• Sastra-caksus – The History of Philosophy & Religion
  Awarded to those completing a study of the essentials of Gaudiya Vaisnava philosophy and an overview of the 14 books of Vedic knowledge.
  • Vastu-traya: sambandha, abhidheya & prayojana
  • Logic: Nyaya & Mimamsa; Hermeneutics – the law of interpretation
  • Dasa-mula-tattva: Lord Caitanya's ten essential truths
  • The philosophy of the Four Sampradayas
  • The six schools of Vedic philosophy
  • World Religions & Apa-sampradayas
  • Overview of the 14 books of Vedic knowledge
  • Srimad Bhagavatam – the essence of all the Vedic literatures
    
• Bhakti-sastri – the ISKCON degree for the study of Bhagavad-gita, Isopanisad, Nectar of Devotion Part 1 and Upadesamrta
  
• Bhakti-sastri-visarada (Bhakti-sastri Honors) – awarded for further study of the Bhagavad-gita, Nectar of Devotion Part 1 and related books of the Gaudiya Vaisnava acaryas
  • A study of Srila Prabhupada's “Analysis of Bhagavad-gita”
  • Works by the Gaudiya Vaisnava acaryas expanding on verses of the Nectar of Devotion & the Upadesamrta
    
• Upadyaya – awarded for in-depth study and research into one of the 14 topics of Vedic knowledge.
  • Pancaratra: The concepts & philosophy of Deity worship , Festivals & Sadhana
  • Sanskrit: Phonetics, Prosody, Grammar & Vocabulary
  • Kalpa: Vedic Rites of Passage & Sacrifice
  • Jyotisa: Astronomy, Astrology & Vedic Math
  • Communication Skills: The concept of language & English
  • Logic: Nyaya & Mimamsa; Hermeneutics – the law of interpretation
  • Purana: History, Geography & Natural Science
  • Civics: Varnasrama, Administration, Economics & Ethics
  • Upapurana: Principles of the Vedic Performing Arts, Medicine, Fine Arts, Architecture &Vastu
  • The 64 Arts
    
• Bhakti-anucana – awarded to those who have completed:
  • Sastra-caksus, Bhakti-sastri, Bhakti-sastri-visarada & the required Upadyaya degrees
  • The required study of the 14 books of Vedic knowledge
    • A study of the individual disciplines of Vedic knowledge
    • A comparative study between the 14 disciplines
    • A comparative study of the 14 disciplines with their specialized area of study (Upadyaya)

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Graduation:

Students graduate from secondary education after completing the Sastra-caksus & Bhakti-sastri degrees; or with honors after completing the Bhakti-sastri-visarada , Upadyaya , & Bhakti-anucana degrees. They may then go on to pursue higher education in the Bhaktivedanta Academy 's tertiary educational programs offered by the Sri Rupanuga Paramartika Vidyapitha or the Bhaktivedanta Theological Seminary .

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General Schedule:

Sri Sandipani Muni Asrama:

02:30 - rise, bathe & asrama cleaning
03:00- Japa
04:30 - Morning program: mangala arotika, Nrsimha arotika, tulsi arotika & japa
06:00 - 1^st academic period: Mantra class/deity worship & yajna
07:00 - Sri Sri Laksmi Nrsimhadeva darsana arotika
07:30 - 2^nd academic period
08:30 - Morning duties & assembly
09:00 - Breakfast preparation
09:30 - Breakfast
10:30 - 3^rd academic period
12:00 - Physical education
13:00 - Afternoon duties, washing clothes & bathing
14:30 - Lunch
15:30 - 4^th academic period
17:00 - Evening duties & aroti
18:00 - Rest

Sri Anasuya Vidya-mandala:

06:00 - 1^st period: Mantra class/deity worship.
07:00 - 2^nd period: philosophy
08:00 - Morning duties
09:00 - Breakfast
10:00 - 3^rd period: academics
12:00 - Noon duties
13:30 - Lunch
15:00 - 4^th period: academics & extra-curricular
18:00 - School ends

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