Lower School (K-6)
Students in the primary grades enjoy a nurturing environment with low pupil-teacher ratios. Much personal attention and positive reinforcement help to promote healthy self-concepts and sound educational foundations.
In the elementary grades, academic, physical, social and spiritual development begun in the primary grades continues. Students become more aware of their accountability to others as well as their individual aptitudes and personal qualities. The faculty is engaged in the total development of the children as they progress through the Lower School.
Primary Grades (K-3)
In the primary grades, students proceed at rates commensurate with achievement. There are minimal grade level expectancies, which most children far surpass. In addition the teachers provide a wealth of enrichment activities. Frequent assessments - quarterly evaluations, mid-quarter reports and conferences - apprise parents of their children’s progress.
Subjects in the primary grades include reading, mathematics, language arts, science, social studies, art, music, dance, religious and physical education. Beginning in Kindergarten, specialists in multimedia and STEM introduce basic technology concepts, systems, and operations pertaining to 21st century learning. Students in grades K-3 enjoy basic instruction in creative movement and dance.
In reading, students improve their ability to recognize letters and words, read aloud, and comprehend the written and spoken word. Higher-level skills such as predicting, summarizing and inferring are introduced and developed. Boys and girls learn to form letters, write sentences and paragraphs, speak with standard intonation and syntax, and listen attentively.
In mathematics, students learn numeral recognition and formation, number values and mathematical vocabulary. Throughout the primary grades there is systematic review and expansion of skills and concepts in performing fundamental operations and solving problems.
Grades K-3 attend chapel services monthly on Wednesday mornings and every Friday with the entire Lower School.
The hours of the after-school program are 2:30-5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the school year.
Elementary Grades (4-6)
Grades 4-6 are departmentalized, and students report to different teachers for their classes. The faculty and staff emphasize good citizenship, high moral standards, sound study habits, and basic skills and concepts. As in the primary grades, students advance when they master the material and receive additional attention when they encounter difficulties.
The curriculum includes reading, written and oral communication, mathematics, social studies, science, art, music, religious education and physical education. Students apply information and communication technologies and digital resources to engage in higher-order thinking and problem solving skills. All students have study hall—a quiet period to do homework, prepare for another class or read.
Grades 4-6 attend chapel services once a month on Wednesday mornings and every Friday morning. Students have opportunities to be scripture readers in chapel.
Visual Arts (1-6)
The major goal of art education is to cultivate students' abilities to create original and expressive art projects. The artwork students create reflects their overall level of social, physical and intellectual development. Many of the projects integrate concepts and topics covered in the various grade levels. Each project includes a brief history of the artistic concept, shared samples, a demonstration of working techniques, vocabulary terms relating to the materials and tools used in the creative process. While experimenting with the materials, creativity, craftsmanship, and the learning process is emphasized, not just the final product.
Fourth and fifth graders may elect one of the following electives, which meet three times a week. Sixth graders must choose one of the following to fulfill their music requirement.
- Band (Gr. 6) Students receive instruction on wind and percussion instruments.
- Chorus (Grs. 4, 5 and 6) This group performs with the US chorus as well as at Lower School chapel services.
- Contemporary Jazz Dance (Grs. 4, 5 and 6) Students perform in showcases and various venues.
- Hula (Grs. 4, 5 and 6) The halau receives instruction from its kumu hula and participates in performances.
- Musical Theatre (Gr. 6) This class offers students instruction in singing, dancing and acting as well as the opportunity to perform in an age-appropriate musical.
- Orchestra, Beginning (Grs. 5 and 6) Students learn to play an orchestral stringed instrument and perform in programs.
- Orchestra, Advanced (Grs. 5 and 6) This group is a continuation of beginning orchestra and also engages in performances.
- Suzuki Violin (Gr. 4) This class is limited to 10 students. They learn to play the violin without using written music and concentrate on listening to and imitating the teacher.
Lower School Library
The librarian works in partnership with classroom teachers to teach information retrieval, explore interdisciplinary units, and encourage the love of reading. Reference assistance is provided individually, as well as in regularly scheduled classes. Students may use the Upper School Library when the need arises. Parents are welcome to borrow from the “Parents’ Section” as well as the regular collection.
The Lower School Library welcomes donations through the “Birthday Book” program, which expands the collection.
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Collection: 14,000 books, magazines and audiovisual resources.
- Equipment: computers with Internet access.