In the early elementary years, students experience many different written genres such as personal narrative, persuasive reviews, nonfiction, poetry, informational pieces, and creative writing. They receive small group and individualized support focused on equipping them with the skills and strategies necessary to be confident and expressive writers. Students utilize the Writers’ Workshop model to work through drafting, revising, editing, and publishing work.

In the upper elementary grades, students grow and flourish as writers through the Writer’s Workshop model. They are taught to draw from their own experiences, to write engaging small moment narratives, informational texts, and persuasive speeches. Students understand that their “lives and thoughts are worth writing about.” Students use their writing notebooks to record mini-lessons on the conventions of writing and the writers’ craft. Students’ writing is published for a variety of authentic audiences.

In the early elementary years, students enjoy numerous interactive experiences that build their knowledge and understanding of math concepts. Students are guided using the Singapore Math approach, which places emphasis on learning through concrete, pictorial, and abstract experiences. Through differentiated small group instruction, students engage in real-world applications of number sense, geometry, time, money, and patterns. Mathematics is infused in many areas of the school day, and through experience children hone their investigative, problem-solving, and critical application skills to become lifelong mathematical thinkers.

The Singapore Math approach is used In the upper elementary grades, as students internalize how and why math is meaningful in their lives, moving beyond procedural knowledge to conceptual understanding. Students continue to employ concrete, visual, and abstract models to master the application of mathematical concepts. The curriculum is a project-based, interdisciplinary approach to the application of mathematical skills and concepts. Flexible groups are designed to meet all students’ needs, with emphasis placed on inquiry, problem-solving, and logical reasoning.

Social studies in the elementary program takes a thematic approach.

First Grade: Community. First graders create their own community, WNSville, in the spring.

Second Grade: Change Makers. Second graders study notable Americans and how students can impact the world around them.

Third Grade: Perspective Taking. Students learn about and engage in simulations that help them understand and internalize the experiences of Native Americans and pioneers.

Fourth Grade: Global Citizenship, The History of California.

In the early elementary years, students begin visiting the science lab, where they practice the skills needed to help them to make sense of the world around them and become literate in science, engineering, and technology. The science curriculum is inquiry and problem-based and includes planning and carrying out investigations, obtaining, evaluating, communicating information, and designing solutions for real-life problems.

The upper elementary science program continues to build on science and engineering skills. Students visit the science lab regularly to participate in authentic, project-based learning. Students develop and use models, engage in argument from evidence, and use mathematical and computational thinking.

The objective of the elementary Spanish program is to develop students’ awareness of the importance of the Spanish language and the richness and diversity of the Spanish culture around the world. Based on previous learning experiences, students reinforce and extend their foundation of the Spanish language and its culture. Units of study include greetings, introductions, engaging in conversations, colors, numbers, weather, family, clothing, and animals.  The Spanish curriculum includes playful, fun, and engaging activities that develop four fundamental skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

The elementary physical education program places emphasis on learning skills sequentially while maintaining a safe, orderly atmosphere. The ultimate goal of the physical education curriculum throughout all grades is to introduce enjoyable activities and healthy concepts to promote lifelong fitness and optimal health.

Elementary grades develop locomotor, non-locomotor, and manipulative skills as well as body and space awareness through a variety of applications and activities. Dance, yoga, Capoeira, and gymnastics are among some of the units explored. The students also learn the form and function of their bodies through elementary anatomy and physiology units. In addition, sports skills and cooperative games are covered where teamwork and cooperation are emphasized.