Special Studies
Primary
Primary students have an integrated curriculum that incorporates art, music, and culture into the daily curriculum. Their monthly units of study include an artist of the month, a composer of the month, and varied cultural studies. The units of study are printed in the school’s monthly newsletter so parents know what is in store for the month ahead. Additionally, primary students attend a weekly music class with our visiting music teacher.
Lower and Upper Elementary
Our Elementary students have several “specials” classes each week that enhance the core curriculum. “Specials” include art, music, Spanish, and physical education.
- Art: In art, students explore a variety of media and styles. Past projects include self-portraits, landscape portraits, Japanese writing, sculpture, and Chinese calligraphy.
- Music: In music, students learn about rhythm and tone through song, movement and musical instruments (xylophone, recorder).
- Foreign Language: Spanish has an emphasis on vocabulary development and learning about different cultures.
- Physical Education: Physical education classes allow students to participate in a variety of activities that build strength, develop gross motor skills, and promote sportsmanship.
Middle School
Middle school students experience the same “Specials” as our Elementary students, with the addition of Martial Arts.
- Art: In art students continue to explore different concepts and experiment with varied media.
- Music: After mastering the recorder in the Elementary program, middle school students are introduced to the guitar in sixth grade.
- Foreign Language: The middle school foreign language program builds on the foundation established in Elementary by introducing a formal Spanish I and II program, which provide a solid base for taking Spanish in high school.
- Physical Education: In addition to participating in our traditional physical education classes, middle school students also begin taking martial arts, with a focus on Tae Kwon Do. A derivative of Korean martial arts, Tae Kwon Do helps to develop "life skill" lessons such as focus, self-control, perseverance and concentration.