Lower Elementary:  Grades One Through Three

Each of the primary grades is led by a credentialed teacher and has an instructional assistant. The target class size is small, typically around 20 students per grade level. This small class size and the low student teacher ratio allow for considerable personal attention and interaction. Students are known and appreciated as individuals.

Reading instruction includes phonics and word attack skills as well as the study of high quality children’s literature. A basal reader is used across kindergarten through third grade, helping coordinate and sequence the instruction of important skills. In addition to the literature provided in the basal reader, all classes are exposed to other literature through reading chapter books, novels, classroom read-alouds, book reports and trips to the library. Classroom libraries offer books for recreational reading. Mathematics instruction emphasizes problem solving and understanding concepts as well as the mastering of important computational skills. 

Field trips support the social studies and science curriculum directed by the homeroom teacher. Parents may help chaperone field trips or with special classroom projects related to the units studied at each grade level. 

Students in first through third grades attend weekly classes in art, music, PE, computer and Spanish. These classes are led by specialists with strong backgrounds in their fields and are often coordinated thematically with the core curriculum planned by the homeroom teacher.  

Curriculum Overview

For a curriculum overview by grade level, click the links below.