Junior I – 6 years through 8 years

Junior II – 8 years through 11 years

The Elementary program is about the emergence of the individual, and is also about individuals learning to work in harmony with, and be celebrated by, the group.

The multiage classroom groupings are from six to nine years old (Junior I), and from nine to 12 years old (Junior II), encompassing first through fifth grades in an atmosphere of cooperative learning. It is an intellectually challenging program for even the most able students. The program and the teachers accommodate varying learning styles and paces, while working to ensure ultimate mastery of the concepts by each student.

The Elementary classroom is an exciting place to learn. At any given time, a visiting parent might see children building time lines, recording science experiments, writing book reports and compositions, gathering data on the Internet, administering spelling tests to one another, or solving mathematical problems. Junior I students learn reading, creative writing, grammar, and spelling; mathematics, including geometry; general science, botany, and zoology; history; geography; social studies; music; art; Spanish; physical education; and optional piano and Suzuki violin. Junior II students master reading, creative writing, grammar, and spelling; mathematics, including geometry and algebra; general science, botany, and zoology; history; geography; social studies; music and performance; art; Spanish; physical education; keyboarding and technology instruction; and optional woodwinds, guitar, piano and Suzuki violin.

Elementary students experience a well-defined social system operating within the classroom. The class is a miniature society where children work and learn together in harmony, while retaining individuality. With the teacher’s support, direction, and expertise, the children strive to become responsible for their own behavior and to help the community by observing rules necessary for peaceful living.