In our upper elementary school (comprising grades three, four, and five), our primary goal is to foster an educational environment that bolsters children’s self-confidence and sense of responsibility, all while preserving their natural enthusiasm for learning.

In the realm of reading, students continue to refine their reading skills, shifting from the process of learning to read to utilizing their reading abilities for acquiring knowledge. They delve into a wide array of literary genres and read with various purposes, including information gathering and critical analysis. We employ diverse assessment methods, including teacher-crafted and standardized evaluations, to gauge their reading progress.

Our approach to writing is designed to make writing an enjoyable experience for students. We establish connections between writing and reading, enabling students to glean insights into effective writing through their literature studies. Assessments of students’ writing development are conducted using teacher-created assessments and an upper elementary writing rubric. By the end of fifth grade, students are adept at various forms of writing, including mastery of the writing process. They engage in editing and revising, incorporate descriptive details, sequence events logically, use fundamental paragraph structures, summarize, respond to literature, employ a rich vocabulary, and demonstrate conventional spelling and mechanics.

In mathematics, students continue to explore mathematical concepts using both hands-on tools and paper-and-pencil techniques. The curriculum emphasizes mental math, estimation, problem-solving, and the clear articulation of mathematical reasoning. Simultaneously, students memorize multiplication and division facts and become proficient in employing standard algorithms for these operations. They delve into decimals, deepen their understanding of fractions, explore geometry, measurement, and are introduced to the rudiments of algebra. Math progress is evaluated using a combination of teacher-designed assessments, commercially available assessment tools, and the math section of the Measure of Academic Progress test.

For each grade (Grade 3, Grade 4, and Grade 5), we provide specific curriculum guidelines to ensure a comprehensive and age-appropriate educational experience. Additionally, our Elementary Handbook serves as a valuable resource, encompassing our educational philosophy, policies, and guidelines for both parents and students.