Our Elementary program is structured into two levels of multi-age groupings.
- Lower Elementary: 6-9 year olds (1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades) | View the lower elementary curriculum here
- Upper Elementary: 9-12 year olds (4th, 5th, and 6th grades) | View the upper elementary curriculum here
Lower Elementary, 1st-3rd grades, ages 6-9
The world opens up to children in the lower elementary level with expansive lessons about the story of the universe and the Earth. While studying earth science, history, economic geography, and biomes, they make connections across time, space, and world cultures. Hands-on materials help them commit what they learn to their long-term memory and strengthen their abstract understanding of complex concepts. We support their imagination and their curiosity with creative writing, poetry, research projects, and dramatic presentations. Field trips enrich their appreciation of history, nature, the arts, and our communities. As these children work and play alongside their classmates, they not only experience joyful connections with each other but also learn how to support effective group dynamics and how to work through problems. We prioritize teachable moments in which children learn and model thoughtful communication skills, patience, and empathy. Third-year students are nurturing, engaged role models to the younger students, and leave lower elementary with the advanced academic and social skills they need to excel in the upper elementary program.
Upper Elementary, 4th-6th grades, ages 9-12
Our upper elementary students seek a deeper understanding of the world and their place in it. They create meaningful multi-disciplinary work and are passionate about their interests. The capstone achievement of the upper elementary experience is our sixth-year students’ yearlong research project. Immersing themselves in a topic of their choosing, each student writes an extensive research paper, then delivers a public presentation at a special evening event. Experiences like this help our upper elementary students develop exceptional poise, responsibility, and communication skills. Upper elementary students work, play, and socialize in beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces, and they explore the world outside our school, whether on a hike at a state park or attending the symphony. Our students move on to middle school as happy, curious, kind children ready to shine academically and socially.
With a focus on developing research and study skills, the core elementary curriculum includes mathematics, language arts, cultural studies (history and geography), and science. Specialty teachers integrate art, technology/media resources, Spanish, music and physical education into general themes studies in class. The Stanford Achievement Test is given each spring to acquaint students with test-taking skills. Testing also indicates a child’s progress relative to previous tests and national norms.
Every year, our sixth-grade students present Expert Projects (yearlong research project presentations). Watch the video below to see our sixth-graders in action.
Contact Us for more information about our private elementary programs or the Montessori curriculum.
