ELEMENTARY
DEVELOPING THE WHOLE CHILD
The elementary school's focus is to create a community of curious and independent learners through rigorous and challenging instruction. Students are given ownership of their learning, which allows for a greater sense of responsibility. Students develop awareness of how they learn best through collaboration, exploration, and self evaluation. Through this process, they develop the necessary skills to direct their learning toward a path of personal, academic, and social success. Students embody such characteristics as resilience, determination, dedication, compassion, and creativity in order that they may use their acquired skills to contribute positively to the local and global community.
Low student-teacher ratios give children access to individualized instruction. Small group and whole class instruction is also utilized in order to nurture and encourage the essential collaboration and communication skills necessary for each child’s future. With learner agency in mind as the forefront of the learning environment, students are afforded flexible seating, and spaces are arranged for both individual and small group settings.
READING
Reading instruction in all lower school classes is threaded throughout every area of study. Beginning in Grade 1, students gain a comprehensive understanding of regular and irregular spelling patterns through a variety of instructional methods. Reading Street is the curriculum used in lower school and is taught in such a way that it addresses each child’s literacy needs. Fluency as well as comprehension are both key aspects in the process of creating well rounded readers.
MATH
An emphasis is placed on critical thinking skills with a focus on the ‘how’ rather than the ‘what’. Students develop a strong problem solving approach, using concrete and abstract thinking. The curriculum used in mathematics is math in focus with modifications to ensure each student is appropriately challenged, reaching beyond perceived potential and constantly evolving in their growth mindset.
WRITING
Throughout all of lower school, students write each and every day, using grammatical and spelling patterns to convey meaning. Lucy Caulkins and its proven formulaic approach is the guiding standard for writing instruction throughout all subject areas. Students are taught to be effective communicators (both verbally and in the written form), productive collaborators, and critical thinkers in order to apply their learning to real life situations and become active contributors within their community.
SCIENCE
Students participate in guided experiments, discovering and understanding the scientific method. As students progress, they create their own science experiments with the knowledge they have gained.
SOCIAL STUDIES
In every area of study, students make connections between the curriculum and themselves and the world around them. Within individual, small group, and whole group settings they develop critical research skills with the aid of books, technology, and local community resources. Field trips, relevant and thoughtful discussions, and interest driven projects allow students to develop a strong sense of community and global citizenship.
THE ARTS
In every area of study, students make connections between the curriculum and themselves and the world around them. Within individual, small group, and whole group settings they develop critical research skills with the aid of books, technology, and local community resources. Field trips, relevant and thoughtful discussions, and interest driven projects allow students to develop a strong sense of community and global citizenship.