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Early Primary (K/1)
5 - 7 Years Old
Our developmental kindergarten program allows children to be...well...children!
OVERVIEW
At 5 and 6 years old, children still have an intense desire to play, explore, investigate, sing, dance, move, and enjoy learning! Our early primary program is geared to students who enjoy
CURRICULUM
While traditional middle schools shift students from class to class, with little connectivity between teachers or subjects, we offer an interdisciplinary, inquiry-driven approach to learning that is orchestrated by one or two teachers who deeply understand your child's learning gifts and needs. With the exception of math, which uses an online, self-paced platform (read more below), we strive to integrate language arts with science and social studies as this deepens topical knowledge while adding meaning to skill-based learning through practical application. Our themes rotate between core concepts in social studies and anchoring phenomenon in Science.
With state standards and high school readiness in mind, we have meticulously created a 3-year scope and sequence that rotates through all the core concepts traditionally taught in middle school, but taught in a cycle that allows interdisciplinary integration, theme-based projects, and multi-age learning, challenging students to think deeply, globally, and critically.
In addition to academics, our students receive rich guidance in developing skills in leadership, collaboration, conservation, community-building, and more.
SCHEDULE
Our mixed-age environment lessens the tensions of traditionally competitive grade-level settings each student understands that they are trusted as models for the younger students. In addition, our students understand that they are part of a community of diverse learners, each of whom deserves demonstrations of kindness, support, encouragement, and respect.
Upon arrival, our students enjoy a few minutes to exchange warm greetings with friends, chat casually with teachers, and get settled in for the day. Students then break into small group learning cohorts and participate in their first class. It is our experience that students actually like to work....especially when they are given the time and independence to do so. This is why we offer short bouts of instruction followed by extended periods where students can delve into meaningful learning experiences that move fluidly between independent or paired "input" opportunities (researching, reading, watching, etc.) and "output" opportunities (applcation and pactice of of knowledge through computing, writing, , answering, creating, building, etc.). Each class is followed by an opportunity to decompress through movement, socialization, or a snack break.