Lower TK-5
Philosophy
Our youngest students start school in a nurturing UTK universal transitional kindergarten class to build a foundation for passionate and active learning. From there, they move through the Lower School in three multi-age Dens, staying with the same teacher and peers for two years. This approach creates a strong, supportive community for children and allows teachers to personalize learning. Building on the language assets of our families, all students participate in a dual language program (Spanish and English or Korean and English) where students receive language and content instruction in two languages.
Dual Language
For our youngest students, these experiences start in a Transitional Kindergarten class to build a foundation for passionate and active learning. Building on the language assets of our families, all elementary students participate in a dual language program (Spanish/English or Korean/English) where students receive language and content instruction in two languages. The instruction integrates translanguaging pedagogy and evidence based literacy practices to support students' bilingual development.
In the secondary grades students take content classes in Spanish enhancing their academic language and content knowledge in two languages.
Readers & Writers Workshop
Readers and Writers Workshop serves as a core literacy instruction model, fostering a love for reading and writing while building essential literacy skills in two languages. This approach allows students to engage deeply with texts and grow as independent, strategic bilingual readers and writers. Students receive personalized support to meet their individual needs through a blend of mini-lessons, guided practice, and conferring. Instruction is grounded in evidence based practices and the science of reading and writing in a bilingual context.
Cognitive Guided Instruction (CGI)
Math instruction is grounded in Cognitive Guided Instruction (CGI) principles, where students develop a deep understanding by solving problems based on their own reasoning and multiple strategies. This approach is complemented by targeted skill lessons designed to strengthen numeracy and computational skills. Math talks and collaborative learning encourage students to articulate their thinking and build on the ideas of peers. By integrating conceptual understanding, skill building, and math discourse, students become confident mathematicians equipped to tackle complex problems with creativity, resilience and fluency.
